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What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

"What Doth Hinder Me To Be Baptized?"

Jarrod Jacobs

The above question was asked by an Ethiopian many years ago. As the evangelist Philip preached Christ to him (Acts 8:35), when they came to a certain body of water, "the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:36-39). The question the eunuch asked back then is still valid today. What is hindering you (preventing, forbidding, keeping you) from being baptized?

Is It False Doctrine?

Many people today are taught that baptism is not necessary for salvation. They are told to simply believe, or to say a sinners' prayer, and this saves men. Isn't it interesting to see that when the preachers of the New Testament taught, people wanted to be baptized! Yet, when so many so-called "preachers" preach today, people do NOT want to be baptized!

Let us consider Philip. When he "preached Christ" to the people in Samaria (Acts 8:5), he taught them about "the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ" and baptism (Acts 8:12). How do we know this? Because "they were baptized, both men and women. Then, Simon himself believed also: and ... was baptized" (Acts 8:12-13). When Philip came to the eunuch and "preached unto him Jesus" (Acts 8:35); the first time he saw plenty of water, he wanted to be baptized. This teaching concerning baptism began with Christ (Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16); and the apostles and disciples of the Lord carried this message to the world (Acts 2:38, 10:48, 18:8, 22:16; I Pet. 3:21; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:26-27; etc.).

Yet, today, people like Billy Graham, and others teach a doctrine that says baptism is not necessary for salvation. Who will we believe? When the people heard those great New Testament heroes preach, they wanted to be baptized. What is hindering you from being baptized?

Is It Friends Or Family?

Sometimes our friends and family members can pressure us into doing (or not doing) the right thing. Have we allowed them to pressure us into not obeying the Lord? The Bible says: "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Jesus said: "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (Matt. 10:37). In order to please our Lord, we must obey His command to be baptized for the remission of sins regardless of what others might or might not say about us (Phil. 3:8). What is hindering you from being baptized?

Is It Popularity?

It is not popular to be a Christian. In fact, Jesus promised His apostles that men would hate them for no other reason than they served the Lord (Jn. 15:18-20). Peter said that some men would "think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot" (I Pet. 4:4). We need to decide whether we wish for popularity with this world, or to be the friend of God. We cannot have it both ways (Jas. 4:4)! If popularity with the world is what you want, you have your reward! What is hindering you from being baptized?

Is It Selfishness?

Regardless of whether it is right or wrong, some people refuse to do anything unless it is their idea. Could that be my attitude? Have I not been baptized simply because I didn't want to? The Bible says that I need to put away such attitudes and place Christ's kingdom first (Matt. 6:33). I need to love God even more than my own life (Lk. 14:26-27).

Conclusion

What is hindering you from being baptized? Whatever it is, realize that this hindrance is keeping you from enjoying spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3), from being in a covenant relationship with Christ (Gal. 3:27), from having your sins forgiven (Acts 2:38, 22:16), from being a child of God (Rom. 8:16-17), and from a home in Heaven (Col. 3:1-4; Rev. 2:10). Is this really worth it??

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