“Remember Lot’s Wife”

Jarrod Jacobs 

Jesus’ words in Luke 17:32 refer to a time when Lot and his family were warned to flee Sodom and not look back (Gen. 19:17). Tragically, Lot’s wife disobeyed God. She looked back and “became a pillar of salt” (v. 26). When we remember Lot’s wife ...

We know God keeps His promises! Just as God promised destruction for Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other cities (Gen. 19), God has promised eternal damnation for those who do not know God nor obey Him (II Thess. 1:6-9). God also promised eternity in Heaven for the faithful (Jn. 14:1-6; Rev. 7:15-17). Since God kept His word back then, we trust He will keep it now (Rom. 2:7-11)!

Secondly, we know God will not allow the wicked to continue! When God was through with the cities of the plain, there was nothing left but ashes and smoke (Gen. 19:28)! When we sin, rest assured God knows it, and we will answer for it (Num. 32:23; Prov. 15:3; Ecc. 12:13; Rom. 2:16; I Tim. 5:24-25)!

Finally, we know we cannot judge outward appearances! Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom” because of the well-watered plain and potential blessing for his livestock and family (Gen. 13:12). Though rich, this city was condemned because of their homosexuality, and other sins (Gen. 13:13, 19:5). Let us not think that physical prosperity equals spiritual soundness! Many times, it is just the opposite (Rev. 2:9)! “Remember Lot’s wife”!

“Anti-Christ”

Jarrod Jacobs 

How many times have we heard our friends or neighbors talk about the “end times” and about the “anti-Christ” that is supposed to come in a future time? It seems every time a war happens or some catastrophe (natural or man-made) happens, we hear folks speaking about the “end times”, the “anti-Christ” and similar things. They talk of the “anti-Christ” as if this is a specific person (perhaps a specific political leader, or other person). The truth is that the word “anti-Christ” simply means an “opponent of the Messiah” (Strong’s Hebrew/Greek Lexicon). In truth, this spirit of anti-Christ has been around since the first century! How can I say this? Let us let the Bible speak.

John said, “Every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist.” He continued his thought by saying, “Which you heard was coming and now is in the world already” (I John 4:3). The Holy Spirit even inspired John to write that there are “many anti-Christs” (I Jn. 2:18)!

Therefore, to say that “Anti-Christ” has not come, and we must look for this in the near-future is completely foreign to the Scriptures. “Anti-Christ” has been around since the first century! As we noted above, “anti-Christ” is anything or anyone that opposes or contradicts Christ and His teachings! With this in mind, are you acting in a way that is opposed to Christ and His will? Let us beware! (I Cor. 10:12)

“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? We conclude this series by looking at one more excuse people use for not being baptized. Friend, let us remove all hindrances that are keeping us from being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

An excuse some use for not being baptized is that no one they know has done it. Friend, using other’s disobedience as an excuse for our own disobedience will not cool the fires of Hell. The majority is almost never right. God warned Moses against going with the majority in Exodus 23:2. Several hundred years later, Solomon reiterated the warning (Prov. 1:10-11). In fact, those that are obedient to Jesus are always the few. Please read Matthew 7:13-14, and learn that those who will have eternal life in Heaven are the “few.” The majority made their choice to follow the path leading to destruction (Matt. 7:13).

Do not let your past, your friends, your family, or your lack of Bible knowledge keep you from doing what is right. Obey God today (II Cor. 6:2). Be baptized for the remission of your sins (Mk. 16:16).

“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?