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). Have you asked that question yet? Have you heard others ask that question? If you have not asked this question, then what is stopping you? What excuses are offered for not being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38)?

       Some might say, “I think I am saved already.” My question to those who say this 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 his sins (Acts 17:30), by confessing his faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32), and being baptized (Mk. 16:16). Have you done this? If not, you are not saved yet (Mk. 16:16; I Pet. 3:21).

            Another common response is “I don’t know enough”. Many think that they must know it “all” before they can be saved. This is simply not true. In fact, once you know what you must do to be saved, you are ready! Please read the cases of conversion in the book of Acts (Acts 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 in the Bible? No, they did not. They were as newborn babes in this relationship with Christ (Jn. 3:3, 5). They had to start off with the “milk” of the word and grow to the strong “meat” of the word (I Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:12-14). Please read II Peter 3:18 also and notice that God has commanded us to grow! Growth will come after becoming a Christian. We do not wait until we “know it all” in order to be a Christian!

             Some allow their lifestyle to hinder them from being baptized. Friend, rest assured that whatever sinful practice you enjoy 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 your life for sinful pleasures, you have been cheated! Do not let sinful pleasures in your lifestyle hinder you from being saved! It isn’t worth it (Heb. 11:25-26)!

           Some will reject baptism by saying, “No one else is doing it!” 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 following the majority (Ex. 23:2). Several hundred years later, Solomon reiterated this warning (Prov. 1:10-11). In fact, those who 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 make their choice 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 being baptized. 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