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“Hearing Problems Or Heart Problems?”
Categories: Baptism, Daily Living, SalvationHearing Problems Or Heart Problems?
There are many that teach that in order to be saved, one must have faith that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24; Heb. 11:6). Many agree also that repentance and confessing our faith in Christ is necessary just as the Bible says (Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10). However, when there is talk about a person being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), many people deny that baptism is necessary. Why is this? Could I suggest that when folks deny baptism’s necessity, it is because they have either a hearing problem or a heart problem. Why do I say this? Let us study Acts 16:14-15 and see this truth.
In Acts 16:14-15, we read, “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.” Notice that before Lydia was baptized, she “heard” the gospel being preached. Her hearing would have produced faith (Rom. 10:17). Not only did she pay attention, but the words she heard also opened her heart, and then she was baptized. She laid aside all preconceived ideas, and simply listened to God’s word. Therefore, as a result of the words she heard, and her open heart, she was baptized.
Thus it is today. When folks declare that baptism is not necessary for salvation, we see they either have a hearing problem or a heart problem. Let us make sure our hearing is sound and our heart is open to the word of God (I Pet. 3:21). This obedience to the Lord will result in our salvation (Heb. 5:9; Rev. 2:14)!
