Beech Tree News Network

After Philip caught up to the Ethiopian eunuch, he 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? 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)?

One may respond, “I am saved already.” My question to those who honestly and sincerely believe they are saved 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.

Another may say, “I do not know enough.” This is a common response when one is told what to do to be saved. Many think they must “know it all” before they can be saved. This is not true. In fact, once you understand what you must do to be saved, you are ready! Please look back through the book of Acts at the cases of conversion. In every case, these people heard one sermon, were convicted of their sin, believed one sermon, and obeyed one sermon! Did they know everything in the Bible? No! They were like newborn babes with the Bible. They had to start in the “milk” of the word and grow to the strong “meat” of the word. Please read Hebrews 5:12-14, and notice the progression of one who grows from a babe in Christ to a strong mature Christian. Please read II Peter 3:18, and learn that God commanded us to grow!

 Some use their “lifestyle” as a hindrance for not being saved. Friend, rest assured that whatever sinful practice you enjoy now cannot be compared to losing your soul in Hell! Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26). I can promise you without any possibility of being proven wrong, that if you exchange your life for sinful pleasures, you have been cheated! Do not let sinful pleasures hinder you from being saved!

 Perhaps we justify not being baptized by saying, “No one else is doing it.” Friend, using the majority as an excuse for our disobedience will not cool the fires of Hell. We need to realize that the majority is almost never right. God warned Moses against going with the majority (Ex. 23:2). Several hundred years later, Solomon reiterates this 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 usually chooses to follow the path of 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).

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167