“What Is Hindering Me From Being Baptized?”

Jarrod Jacobs 

After Philip ran to the Ethiopian eunuch and taught him about Jesus (Acts 8:30, 35), they came to some water. “And the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36). Friend, have you ever wondered what is stopping you from being baptized? Do you know already? In these articles, we want to try to remove the hindrances that are keeping folks from being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

Sometimes, folks use their “lifestyle” as a hindrance for being baptized and having their sins forgiven. Friend, rest assured that whatever sinful practice you enjoy in your life, it cannot be compared to losing your soul in Hell! Jesus asked, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26). I can promise you without any possibility of being proven wrong, that if you exchange salvation so you can continue in your lifestyle, you will be cheated!

An example of one who chose wisely was Paul. He could have lived and died as a well-known Pharisee (Phil. 3:4-6). Thankfully, he did not yield (v. 7-14), and his example lives on for us today in the pages of the Bible (I Cor. 11:1). Friend, do not allow your “lifestyle” to hinder you from being baptized and saved (Mk. 16:16)!

“What Is Hindering Me From Being Baptized?”

Jarrod Jacobs 

After Philip caught up to the Ethiopian eunuch and taught him about Jesus (Acts 8:35), they came to some water. “And the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36). Friend, have you ever had someone ask you what is stopping you from being baptized? In this series, we want to try to remove the hindrances folks have that are keeping them from being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

One common response folks offer when discussing the need for being baptized is: “I do not know enough.” Sadly, many think that they must “know it all” before they can be saved. This is not true. In fact, once you know what you must do to be saved, you know enough! Please study the cases of conversion the book of Acts (ch. 2-19). In every case, these people heard one sermon, were convicted of their sin, believed one sermon, and obeyed one sermon! Did they know “everything” concerning the Scriptures? No! They were as newborn babes with the Bible. They had to start off in the “milk” of the word, and grow to the strong “meat” of the word. Please read Hebrews 5:12-14 and II Peter 3:18 and see the growth expected of a Christian. The Bible teaches that one is baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), not because one has it all “figured out”! Have you been baptized (I Pet. 3:21)? What is hindering you?

“What Is Hindering Me From Being Baptized?”

Jarrod Jacobs 

Acts 8:26-39 records the teaching and conversion of the Ethiopian treasurer. A man named Philip was told by God to catch up to the Ethiopian’s chariot and teach him the gospel. When Philip the evangelist caught up to him, he did just that (Acts 8:35). As they traveled, they came upon some water, “And the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36). Friend, have you ever had someone ask you what is stopping you from being baptized? We want to look at some reasons why people are “hindered” today and then try to remove those hindrances. What reason(s) might one have for not being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)?

Some respond by saying they think they are already saved without baptism. This response comes from those who have not been taught the truth concerning Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38 and other similar verses. My question to those who honestly and sincerely believe they are saved without being baptized is, what did you to be saved? I read in the Bible that one is saved by hearing God’s word (Rom. 10:17), by believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24), by repenting of past sins (Acts 17:30), by confessing one’s faith in Christ (Rom. 10:10), and by being baptized (Mk. 16:16). Have you done this? If not, you are not saved. What is hindering you from being baptized?

“What Is Involved In Salvation?”

Jarrod Jacobs 

                   Since Christ gave His life as “a ransom for many” and shed His blood “for the remission of sins” (Matt. 20:28, 26:28), He brought salvation to everyone (Titus 2:11). His sacrifice provided the way for us to be saved from sin.

                   Is Christ’s death on the cross all that was necessary to save man? If it was, then all people would be saved from sin because Christ died for all (Jn. 1:29; I Jn. 2:2). Yet, we know this is not the case because the Bible says some will be lost (Matt. 25:41). There must be something we must do to receive salvation.

                   In the New Testament, we see that not only did Christ die, was buried, and rise the third day for our salvation; we in turn must follow Christ’s plan for salvation if we wish to be saved (Mk. 16:16). We need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, “for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24). Faith is so necessary that, “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). Is this all one needs to do to be saved? No! Faith is the beginning step leading to salvation. One must also obey the Lord’s will (Acts 2:38). Christ did His part, will you do yours?

                   “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” These words were spoken on the day of Pentecost following the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection. On this day, when the Jews were rightly accused of killing Christ (Acts 2:23), they then asked what they could do (Acts 2:36). Acts 2:38 is the answer to this question, and by extension, the answer to our question when we ask what we must do to be saved from our sins! Have you repented of your sins? Have you been baptized? If not, why not? Repentance and baptism is necessary to remit (forgive) your sins and put you in a right relationship with God. Why are you waiting?

- Jarrod Jacobs