Sermon 110198

Acts 8:34-38                         What Prevents Me From Being Baptized?                         11/1/98

                                                                                                                             ABCC

I.   Introduction                                                                                                                       644

q      Traveling w/young children:  Are we there yet?  How long…?  When are we going to eat?

q      Teenagers:  When can I drive?  When…date?  Why can’t I have my own…?

q      Questions that a person asks are extremely revealing & insightful – level of understanding, importance, troubles, fears, etc.

II.    The Questions of a Man Under Conviction

He has already inquired about Jesus (v. 34) and Philip has explained the gospel of Jesus Christ to him – that Jesus is the Lamb of God that willingly suffered & died to pay the debt for his sin… (v. 35).  After having his questions about Jesus answered, he is now concerned about baptism.  WHY?  No church, crowd, no one else being baptized…

A.     Significance of Baptism

1.      OT – symbolized cleansing for holy purposes (Lev. 8:6; 2Chr. 4:1-6)

2.      NT – symbolized repentance (Mt. 3:11), union with Christ & cleansing from sin (Rom. 6:1-6; Ac. 22:16)

B.      Who should be baptized? – (v. 37)=a person who has exercised faith in Jesus Christ from a changed heart (Rom 10:9-10; Ac. 2:37-38); a heart that’s been broken over your past lifestyle, thoughts, words; yielding to the lust of the flesh…but now that heart has been changed to love Jesus, righteousness, …He’s a new man (2Co.5:17)

¨       This teaching excludes infants – not in doctrine or practice of OT or NT

¨       This teaching excludes unbelievers & even almost believers (King Agrippa – Ac. 26; Scribe – Mk. 12)

¨       This teaching excludes pretenders & hypocrites (Simon – Acts 8:13ff) = “believe with all you heart”

¨       This teaching does not discriminate against race, education, financial condition, age, sex…the question is simply what has happened in your heart (Ps. 51:17; 139:23; Ac. 2:37; 1Co. 14:25; Mt. 5:8; Lk. 8:9-15)

What Prevents Me From Being Baptized?, pg. 2

C.      Why should you be baptized?

¨       Because Jesus Christ has commanded you to do so (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16) – the One who is in control of demons, nature, angels, sickness; Who suffered & died for you, conquered death & the grave in the resurrection and declares all authority has been given…You should listen to Him & obey Him!!!

¨       Because the Apostles have commanded you to do so (Ac. 2:38) – they speak with the authority of heaven & under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit…You should listen to them & obey them!!!

¨       Because it is a clear pattern & principle practiced by believers in the Scriptures -- Ac. 2 (3,000); 8 (Samaritans, Eunuch); 9 (Saul); 10 (household of Cornelius); 16 (household of Lydia);…

¨       Because you love the Lord & His Church (Mt. 22:37; Jn. 14:15; 1Jn.4:7-19)

What questions are on your mind today?  Are you asking what prevents me from being baptized?  If you believe in Jesus with all your heart, you may!  …what prevents me from being saved?  If you believe…!  …from joining the church?…from becoming a Christian & being a child of God?…from having purpose & fulfillment in my life?…from pleasing God and going to heaven?  Can these things be true of you & can you possess them?  If you believe in Jesus with all your heart!  Well, if you have been asking any of these questions, I’ve got one last question to ask you – will you believe in Christ with all your heart?