Baptism Lake Wazeecha

What prevents me from being baptized?

Acts 8:26–40 ESV

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Introduction

Two diffrent men in Two different circumstance (26-29)

Phillip-

Who is he? This Philip is often called Philip the evangelist. He is distinct from Philip the Apostle. This Philip is distinct because he is one of the first deacons in the church that we see in Acts 6:5. We see that this Philip was instrumental in the formation of the first church.

Ethiopian eunuch- what do we know about this man?

Romans 10:14–17 (ESV)

Ethiopian:

Eunuch:

Had a copy of the scriptures

Left Jerusalem with no understanding How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Lesson about Baptism: not exclusive, Lost people need found people to help them find Jesus! God does not need us, but God makes us apart of his plan!

The meet up (28-31)

Acts 8:28–31 (ESV)

28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

God sends Philip

Philip has something the Ethopain needs- understanding of what the word of God says.

Philip climbs up with him

Lesson about Baptism: Salvation proceeds baptism, Salvation come through the Word of God and the Spirit of God.

The passage and explanation

Conversation and Baptism.

Why are we here today with these folks

to renew our excitement for what God is doing.

to renew our commitment to produce more disciples

Why are these folks here.

To proclaim their love for God and their salvation

To be obedient to Gods commands