"WHAT DOTH HINDER ME TO BE BAPTIZED?"

The conversion record of Acts 8 presents us with the above question.  I believe it is one that everyone honestly should ask themselves.  Think with me for a few moments about what would have hindered this man from gospel obedience.

1. Not Hearing The Gospel.  Had this man never had heard Jesus preached, he would never had been baptized.  It is informative to take note of a few facts here.  "Jesus" was the central message given to this man by Philip, the preacher; not the political or social ramifications that may affect our society one way or another and not the traditions and doctrines of man (Matthew 15:3,9).  Paul defined the gospel he preached as consisting of the death, burial and resurrection of the Christ  (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  It is this gospel (good news) that is the power of God to save (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:21;  1 Peter 1:22-23).  The gospel reveals to man God's way of making man righteous, giving purpose in life and hope for eternity.  It teaches us what God wishes us to do to be saved; this is how the Eunuch was informed about the necessity of being baptized after having Jesus preached to him.  You can't preach one without the other.

2. No Water. This fact is clear by the statement of the Ethiopian:  "...Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"  We are not suggesting any miraculous powers placed in water, but simple faith in what God's Word says (Colossians 2:12).  Jesus had told Nicodemus, "...Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John  3:5).  I don't have to understand why God chose water; I just have to have faith enough to obey what he says. 

3. No Faith. This man could have been preached to for days,  surrounded by water and if he had no faith, he would not have obeyed the gospel.  Indeed, it is by the hearing of God's Word that faith comes (Romans 10:17), but such is conditional on man's willingness to receive the truth - not all men will (Romans 10:16-21; Hebrews 4:2).  We must love truth and be diligent in our searching for it that we may be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:10; 2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11).

4. No Repentance. Repentance is commanded in the gospel (Acts 2:38); it is the change of one's stubborn heart, yielding to the will of God out of sorrow for sins, that results in a changed life (2 Cor. 7:10-11).  True, anyone can be dipped in water, in pretense of baptism, who has not truly repented.  But this is true baptism, as is exemplified by the story of Acts 8.  The earnest inquiry and urgency of the Ethiopian suggest genuine repentance toward God.  Without it, there is no obedience from the heart.

5. No Confession. The confession of one's faith in Jesus is commanded as part of what one must do in order to be saved.  The scriptures teach, "...if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved; for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9-10).  Without such a confession of faith by this man, his obedience would have been incomplete.

6. Not Taking The Opportunity Availed Him. With all we have considered about this man's obedience to the gospel and becoming a Christian, we will conclude with this fact - he was given an opportunity and he took advantage of it.  How many there are who need to consider this, who understand the gospel, feel the guilt of sin in their lives but procrastinate.  Indeed, "putting things off" seems to be a favorite pass time with many.  Let us not be negligent of this with the most important decision we can make this side of eternity.

                                                                                                - Dan Richardson