“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 The Sermon For?

Jarrod Jacobs

            “How did you like the sermon?” is a question often asked after a worship service. In fact, this is a habitual question that is often asked of visitors and members alike. The “likes” of individual listeners vary amazingly. It is fine to “like” the sermon, but is that really the important thing? Is this really the only standard of judgment after hearing a sermon?

            Actually, sermons are preached, not to be liked, but to be lived! That is a fact. Take time and look into the Scriptures and read the sermons of Jesus, or the apostles, or of Old Testament prophets. Their sermons were preached so those listening (and us reading) would know how to live.

            Let’s suppose that on a given Sunday you do not like the sermon preached. What of it? Suppose that the hypocrite sitting there in services went away in a rage. The fact is that when the arrow of truth pierces the heart, curses often come out! John the Baptist, Jesus, Peter, and John were not anxious that their sermons should be liked. They wanted the folks to live them!

            The crucial question is not, “Did you like it?”, but “Did it help you?” “Did it give you new encouragement to obey God?” “Did it show you how to draw nearer to the Lord?” I encourage you to read the sermons preached in the book of Acts and see the response of the people. The concern was not whether folks “liked” it, but would these people lived what they had learned!

            The sermon may be measured, not by the pleasure of the people, but by their response in action and practice.

“The Early Leaders Of Our Country Knew God …”

Jarrod Jacobs 

                   With 2016 being an election year, and having a new President, and voting on many other local offices, I thought it would be good to remind our readers of the fact that the early leaders of our country knew God. For example …

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) is quoted as saying:

• “He who shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world.”

• “God governs in the affairs of men; and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, neither can a kingdom rise without his aid.” (Please read: Daniel 4:32, 5:21; Matt. 10:29, JJ)

• “If your riches are yours, why don’t you take them with you to the other world?” (Please read: Matt. 6:19-21, JJ)

George Washington (1732-1799) is noted with the following:

• “Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.” (Please read: I Cor. 15:33, JJ)

• “It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.”

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) reminds us:

• “Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.”

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) remembered God and the Bible:

• “All things desirable to men are contained in the Bible.”

• “I am not concerned whether God is on my side or not, but I am concerned whether I am on God’s side.”

Just as our country’s early leaders knew God, so also, the current and future leaders need to know Him! God bless and have a Happy New Year!!