Complete dependence upon the
Lord for all needed help this evening. I wish to direct your
very prayerful attention to the Acts of the Apostles in Chapter
8. To the Acts of the Apostles in Chapter 8. And by way of text,
verses 36 and 37. The Acts of the Apostles chapter 8 verses 36 and 37 and as they went on their way
they came unto a certain water and the eunuch said see here
is water what doth hinder me to be baptized? and Philip said
if thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest and he answered
and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and as they went on their way
they came unto a certain water and the eunuch said see here
is water what doth hinder me to be baptized And Philip said,
if thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest. And he answered
and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Dear soul, if we are asking this
question this evening, then we are in a good place. What doth hinder me to be baptised
this morning we looked at the previous two verses and we remarked
that Philip opened his mouth and began at the same scripture
and preached unto him Jesus and at that point something happened now we don't
know how long Philip spent with the eunuch we do know it certainly
wasn't very long a matter of hours perhaps most of the day
we don't know we don't know but we do know this that the Lord
dealt with him and that being the case he asked this question
what does hinder me to be baptised? now before we venture upon our
text I wish to by way of context and to set a certain number of
things in order that we may understand the implications of what is said
here firstly that the practice of believers baptism and that
by immersion, we will come to that in a moment was something
that was practiced at the beginning of the New Testament
Church but but there is what we might call an Old Testament
doctrine of baptism Some of you may know where I'm about to turn.
But in Exodus 14, we see clearly the children of Israel crossing
through into the Red Sea. And this is a type, a foreshadow as it were,
of the truth of baptism. and we see a proof text of this
in Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians and in chapter 10
reading the first two verses just turn to it in chapter 10
moreover brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how
that all our fathers were under the cloud you see the cloud and
all passed through the sea and were all baptized unto Moses
in the cloud and in the sea and here's the thing and did all
eat the same spiritual meat and did all drink the same spiritual
drink for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed
them and the rock was Christ they were partakers of the Lord
Jesus Christ experientially and they walked into what naturally
would have been a certain death but the Lord parted the sea and
they walked through yes they walked through what would be
considered to be their grave would have considered to be their
very end but in the chapter we read together we read of another type of baptism
now I don't want to go into this in any great detail because it's
fairly complex and there is much debate as to what the full sense
is but in 1 Corinthians 15 we can read that there were those
who practiced a strange type of baptism that being the baptism
of the dead and the practice was that when a soul had died
they would then baptise it, strangely enough, John Gill comments, by
immersion. This was a superstitious and
a foolish practice. But friends, even today, there
is another superstitious and foolish practice. That is, of
course, the baptism of infants, which is nowhere found in the
scripture. What does hinder me to be baptized
is the question. What is this baptism? Well, this baptism is a baptism of
full immersion. The Greek word that we have is
baptizo, which means to immerse, to dip to plunge in water. Now, men attempt to explain this
away. I remember once reading this
man, that Dr. Robert Raymond, who many of you
will know is a heretic in respects of the Eternal Sonship. Now Binapido Baptist, he remarks
that it was a place of much water Friends, that does not cut it.
That is not accurate at all. It doesn't just mean a place
of much water. We have to remember, friends,
in verse 26 we read that they were at Gaza, which is desert. They were heading to the edge
of the desert. And here, in the providence of
God, the Lord had called the Ethiopian eunuch by his grace,
and here was water. This was no accident. This was
the Lord in divine providence marking his way out for both
Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. And he asked this question, what
does he mean? Friends, baptism can only be
by full immersion. there is nowhere in this book
where we read of sprinkling water on a child's head nor is it anything
to do at all with circumcision. The mark of the covenant of circumcision
is in respect not of the covenant of anything in respect of children
but is a mark of the new birth. The whole purpose of the circumcision
for the children of Israel was a mark of those that were different.
It is in no way anything to do with baptism. And thus here,
upon his call by grace, the Ethiopian eunuch asks this
question. What doth hinder me to be baptised? We first read of this baptism
in the second chapter of the Acts when we read after the day
of Pentecost the Lord's disciples preaching verse 41 of chapter
2, and they that gladly received his word were baptized and the
same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls. There is a pattern here, saved,
baptized and added onto the church none of these are in isolation
they are all found together we were speaking in the vestry it's
very sad that there are some who seem to drift from place
to place and from place to place and never join a church at all
and it isn't that they're looking for a spiritual home and can't
find one They have no desire to join a church. Friends, we
can clearly see that membership is a New Testament practice.
When men and women were gathered together, after they were baptized
and they formed churches, they were united one to the other. and were found under a principle
of discipline it wasn't just a free-for-all and I would just
notice this just as a side there are some of course who
object and say there's no such thing as church membership but
we know that there is because in the early church when there
were those who were separated for the work of the ministry
we read here in Acts 13 verse 2 as they ministered to the Lord
and fasted the Holy Ghost said separate me Barnabas and Saul
for the work whereunto I have called and when they had fasted
and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away so
they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost departed unto Seleucia
and from thence they sailed to Cyprus yes they were sent forth
by the Holy Ghost but they were also sent forth by their local
church in other words there had to be some local organization and you know people say that
there were no denominations in the Bible. There was. There was one. There were strict
Baptists. There were strict Baptists. Now
people think what a terribly bigoted thing to say. I simply
mean this. I simply mean this. Nobody sat
down at the Lord's table until they were baptized by immersion.
It is disorderly. to do so and after they were
baptized by immersion they joined the church that is the order
that we practice we call ourselves Strict Baptists that is the English
name, the Western name as it were but this is what the Apostles
taught this is what the Apostles taught, they didn't practice
infant baptism they didn't believe in the covenant blessing so called
of an advantage for children of believers religion doesn't
follow on in families in that way now the Lord is often to
call by his grace the children of believers some of you may
be able to trace your roots back several generations some won't
you know friends it's always been that way it's always been
that way so yes there is church order now in the text that we have
before us it's true to say that the Ethiopian
eunuch probably at this time knew very little about church
order he probably didn't know all that much doctrine. We can
see him here. How can I understand? Except some man should guide
me. He desired to be instructed, but he desired to be instructed
in the Scriptures. And that's the thing. And that's
the thing. What I'm coming to is this. The
profession of faith in the Lord Jesus is the beginning of the Christian
life. Not the end, but the beginning
of the Christian life. And it's also true to say, and
we would note from the Acts, that many of the local churches,
particularly those that Paul had founded, he had left in the other side
of these churches, in some cases, some quite young and inexperienced
men in some cases but friends they learnt didn't they? and
they learnt in Christ's school yes this Ethiopian eunuch like
those who had gone before him was exercised about the truth
of believers baptism immediately immediately what does hinder me to be baptized? now I've made some general observations
and some general statements and some doctrinal points but more than anything this cuts
close doesn't it? it's a personal matter what does
it mean to be baptized? and Philip said if thou believest
with all thine heart thou mayest what does that mean? what does
that mean? well I was very interested to see
and you will notice fairly recently that I was glad it was republished
actually a piece by the late Mr. J.K. Popham and he was answering
a question of a really exercised soul and they said is it necessary
to have the full assurance of faith before one is baptised
and his answer was most excellent he said it wasn't but one must
have a saving interest in the blood of Christ one must have
an experiential dependence upon the blood of Christ In other
words, you must know something of your sins and you must know
something of the Lord's partnering mercies. He did not set up a
standard. The standard of God's people
are different and at certain times some of the Lord's people
experience a mighty at power in their own souls at
the Lord's hand at the beginning some experience it at the end
and some experience it at various points through the Christian
life the scripture says he must be born again he must be born
from above we think of the grave of John Berridge it was mentioned
and it says on this grave very powerfully reader art thou born
again that's the question that's the question art thou reader, art thou born
again if thou believest with all thine
heart thou mayest this isn't the act of Philip trying to cajole the eunuch into a profession
and here we would make this point as a principle I never bring
up the subject of baptism with someone who has never professed
Christ I don't do it I only speak to them if one of
two things is the case one they raise the subject with me first and the other is if they are
already in a profession but not baptized because friends, if there are
souls that are exercised about baptism this should be answered
firstly and foremostly through the preaching of the word the preaching of the word, that
should always be first and foremost and yes, in conversation one
may erase it but you know it's the most foolish
practice and we have seen it no doubt many times I know I
have, I know you have some of you live many more years than
me and the next thing that happens is they leave and we then have
a difficult disciplinary case to deal with to be too hasty is not wise it's
not wise but you know by the same token we cannot have people waiting
years and encourage that either it's a most unscriptural practice
if a person's profession is credible if they are not living in any
open or known sin, or hold any doctrinal errors, we have to be careful not to
grieve the Lord's Spirit. We have to remember that these
are God's ordinances. God's ordinances, ordained by
Him. You know, we would note this,
there are two ordinances ordained for the whole of mankind and
there are two ordinances ordained for the church the two ordinances
ordained for the whole of mankind are these firstly the Sabbath
day and secondly marriage we live in a day when both are trampled
underfoot and what is the result? confusion foolishness and a sad state of affairs. It's not brought happiness, has
it? Things are a shambles in this
country. Through man's rebellion against God and his ways. And
there are two ordinances for the church. That is baptising
by immersion. Baptism and the ordinance of
the Lord's Table. the Lord Jesus himself. What
did he say at the end of Matthew? I remember this well, Mr. Tyler
preached from this at my own baptism. Go ye therefore and
teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you And lo, I am with you always,
even unto the end of the world." This was the command he gave
to his disciples, teaching all nations. The margin says, making
disciples, baptizing in the name of the
Father and the Son of the Holy Ghost. this is not an indifferent
thing now let me state clearly what I mean I have and some of you have friends
from Presbyterian denominations various Presbyterian denominations
and in many respects their testimony and their clarity on some points
of doctrine and theology and practice puts that's a shame
but we have to say on this point they are in error they are in
error and it's also not a case of saying
well baptism is a spiritual thing there are those who believe in
spiritual baptism in other words no baptism at all and would see
the ordinance much in the same way that we would see perhaps
the ordinance of foot washing or something like that but friends
there is a physical commitment if I can use that term please
don't misunderstand me something physical had to happen in baptism there is a physical
there is an outward profession of an inward change there is
nothing in the baptism there is nothing in the water to wash
away sin nothing and we must also stay well clear
of this doctrine of baptism being essential to salvation what is
known as the the some even believe in baptismal
regeneration. We have an article against that
subject. That there is something in the
water that somehow cleanses us from sin. There's nothing in
the water. There's nothing in the water.
But it is an outward, an open profession that the Lord has
done a Holy Ghost spiritual work in us. and it has to be in the
open it is either in the sea or many of our chapels such as
here we have baptisteries and that is equally as valid the
doors are open people are welcome to come in many of the followers of John
Nelson Darby practice what is known as household baptism well
friends that's baptism in secret Even if it's by immersion, it
contradicts what we have in the Word. This was public. This was
public. It's not there to make a spectacle
of ourselves, friends. Not there for that. But to declare
that we belong to Christ's. That we are His. And it is declaring something
of what the Lord has done for our souls. for our souls yes there will be something to
say about what the Lord has done for us what does hinder me to
be baptised? this is a question very much
on the eunuch's mind no doubt for the right reasons
Again, we have two cases of this baptism here. We have the very sad case of
Simon. And what do we read about him? Through the preaching of Philip. Simon saw men and women being
baptised. And notice here, it's here expressly,
men and women. then Simon himself believed also
and when he was baptised he continued with Philip and wondered beholding
the miracles and signs that were done he desired simply to follow Philip for this reason
his motive for his baptism was filthy he had no regard at all for the
ordinance that he had undertaken and in the end proved to be as
far as we know an apostate very light approach very light
approach but you see this eunuch was exercised what does he mean? he had questions in his mind he had questions in his mind because he was anxious not to
grieve of the Lord or be wrong in any matter and here Philip spoke to him
didn't he? he spoke to him sensitively if
thou believe us with all thine heart thou mayest And he answered
and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. This was not a free will decision. This was
a declaration through a heart constrained by love. And it is the love of Christ
that constrains us to walk in His ways. To be called by grace
and to treat this matter with indifference is to walk in open
disobedience. You see, baptism is a declaration
of what the Lord has done and of course it is an encouragement
to the church but it is also a witness to them who are without
not that any candidate of baptism is a perfect specimen for friends
we know that we are all sinners if God has taught us something
of ourselves the statement that is made is
that yes we are sinners that we are sinners saved by the grace
of God and he commanded the chariot
to stand still in a great desert place there was this place this
small oasis of water and they went down both into the water
both Philip and the eunuch and he baptised him now what follows is quite remarkable
and when they were come out of the water no sprinkling there
the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip that the eunuch saw him no more
he saw him no more never in his life did these two men meet a
most remarkable providence but we read this and he went
on his way rejoicing he went on his way rejoicing if we follow the Lord in obedience
to his command then we will never look back John Green who was pastor at Gower Street Chapel some of
you may have his volume of sermons a straighter preacher you could
never hear there was no whiteness with him
I can tell you and he said this right at the end of his life
he said I've got many regrets in my life I've done many things
wrong he says but I've never regretted being baptised you
see them that honour me the Lord will honour and you know there are times when perhaps there are some difficult
cases to deal with but you know the Lord makes the way just mention
two before we close one was a young man of about
14 one of the Suffolk chapels he
had applied to join the church and on this particular Sunday
the minister who I knew is now gone he went to preach at this
church and he preached from the test asking he is of age he came
out of the pulpit and they said who's been talking to you about
what's been going on he says I don't know what you mean he
said well a young man's applied for baptism we're very concerned
about it that man went on to be I believe
a deacon and a pillar of one of the earthen vessel causes and there's another case that
comes to mind was a girl of I believe 11 and again the church was much
exercised about it and they brought her in and they said you're very
young she said am I too young to die?
am I too young to He was received anonymously, unanimously and
baptised. The very hymn that were to sing
at the end of this service was a boy of a similar age. Friends,
we can't be ashamed of Christ, because if we declare Him, He will not deny us. Despite
what we are, despite all our sins, despite all our misgivings and there are many friends we
rightly rightly mourn over our sins here but we have to remember
this that there are no tears in heaven
and that on that day all tears all sorrow all anxieties, all
pain and the former things shall be washed away and as they went
on their way he came unto a certain water and the eunuch said see
here is water what doth hinder me to be baptized and Philip
said if thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest and he
answered and said I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
and he commanded the chariot to stand still and they went
both down they went down both into the water both Philip and
the eunuch and he baptized him and when they were come up out
of the water the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip that
the eunuch saw him no more and he went on his way rejoicing,
saying what does it do? We sing as our concluding hymn,
hymn number 427, and the tune is Whitford, 435. Jesus, and
shall it ever be, a mortal man, ashamed of thee, ashamed of thee
whom angels praise, whose glories shine to endless days. Hymn number 427. you