See, here is water

Q: What does the Bible say about baptism?

Baptism is a public declaration of faith and obedience to Jesus Christ's command to be baptized after believing in Him. Baptism serves as a vital ordinance in the Christian faith, symbolizing the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. As articulated by Philip in response to the eunuch's request, baptism occurs after a genuine belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. It is an outward demonstration of an inward transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit, reflecting the spiritual reality of having died to sin and risen in newness of life. Jesus Himself exemplified this by being baptized to fulfill all righteousness, establishing a model for His followers to imitate.

Q: How do we know baptism is important for Christians?

Baptism is essential as it fulfills Christ's command and publicly identifies believers with the body of Christ. The importance of baptism for Christians is underscored in the Great Commission where Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize all nations. It acts as a sacred act of obedience that signifies one's faith in Jesus Christ and entrance into the community of believers, signifying their belonging to the body of Christ. Furthermore, baptism serves as an outward sign of the inner grace of God, confirming that the individual has believed in Christ and illustrating the transformative power of the gospel that unites diverse groups—Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles—into one body through the Holy Spirit. By being baptized, believers fulfill the command of Christ and publicly announce their commitment to follow Him.

Q: Why do some people hesitate to be baptized?

Many hesitate to be baptized due to fear, sin, or uncertainty about their faith, but the gospel encourages immediate obedience. Hesitation to be baptized can stem from various factors including feelings of unworthiness, being overwhelmed by sin, lack of assurance in faith, or simply being preoccupied with life's circumstances. However, baptism is a command from the Lord Jesus for all who believe, and it should follow a clear declaration of faith—not perfect holiness. The eunuch's prompt request for baptism after acknowledging his belief in Jesus exemplifies how one's eagerness to obey should overshadow any excuses. The gospel assures believers that it is Christ's work within them that prepares them for baptism, and not their own merit, which should alleviate fears and encourage a willingness to obey.

Q: What is the relationship between faith and baptism?

Faith is the prerequisite for baptism, as it indicates genuine belief in Jesus Christ and acceptance of His grace. The relationship between faith and baptism is foundational in the Christian walk. As seen with the eunuch, baptism follows a declaration of faith, evidencing an individual's personal belief in Jesus as the Son of God. Faith itself is a work of the Holy Spirit, which brings about a transformation of the heart that compels the believer to express that internal change externally through baptism. This ordinance serves not to save, but to signify the believer's commitment to Christ and the transformative work wrought by God in their life. Therefore, baptism is both an affirmation of faith and a demonstration of obedience to Christ's command, uniting the believer with the broader community of faith.

Q: Why is it necessary to be part of the church after baptism?

Being part of the church post-baptism is essential for fellowship, growth, and utilizing spiritual gifts for God's kingdom. Baptism not only signifies individual faith but also acts as a gateway into the community of believers—the church. After baptism, Christians are called to participate actively in the life of the church, which is described as the body of Christ, where each member has unique gifts and roles. This communal aspect is vital for spiritual growth, accountability, and encouragement among believers. The New Testament illustrates that the church functions as a collective, with shared responsibilities to edify one another and advance the gospel. Thus, embracing church membership enhances a believer's experience of their faith and provides an avenue to serve God and others in unity.

So you can once again, the help of God. I'd like you to turn with me to the chapter that we read together. The book of Acts chapter eight and the text you'll find in verse 36. And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water and the eunuch said, see, here is water. What does hinder me to be baptized?

37. 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.

As the Lord Jesus Christ finished his earthly ministry and was crucified upon the cross, laid in the grave for three days and then revealed himself to his apostles and to the 500 people. He sent them forth into the world to preach the gospel.

They were to go forth and they were to declare the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Christ, that the light had come into the world and we know that men love darkness rather than light and that this gospel was then to penetrate into the darkness to bring people to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. we know that that work is a spiritual work. The Bible tells us it not by might nor by power but by thy spirit and that the gospel as it goes forward as it is preached and proclaimed the Holy Spirit working with the word changes people's hearts he gives life spiritual life to enable people to to hear the word to look to christ and to live he changes their hard hearts it gives them a new nature a nature that hates sin and loves the lord jesus christ and jesus says that that is being born again they are born again of the spirit so is everyone that is born of the spirit and so as the word is preached people listen with their natural ear, but the Spirit of God, working with the Word, entering into the heart, brings people to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus. He shows them their sin, they become alive, they realise that they have sinned against God, they realise that the message that they are hearing is true, that it's true that they've sinned against God, they've broken His law, they're unable to save themselves, they come like the hymn has just said, nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling, and that's the work of God's spirit, he awakens the soul to its deadness and and makes them to realise their own righteousnesses are as filthy rags before a holy God, that they cannot obtain a salvation by their own works. And so as the apostles went forward proclaiming the truth, proclaiming that Christ had come and died and rose again and ascended up into glory, the Holy Spirit working with them.

And that's what we see in the book of Acts, as it's been said. It could be the, instead of the acts of the apostles, it could be the acts of the Holy Spirit, the continued work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and gathering in the nations into his arms.

And we read that it begins in Jerusalem, It begins with the Jews. The Jews are the first ones to be gathered in as we see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Then we see it go into Samaria. We see the Samaritans as we have read. We read of the Samaritans. They hear the word. They believe that Jesus Christ has come. Remember the Samaritans are seen as outcasts. They are seen as dogs by the Jews. They are seen as unclean people who don't fully conform to the Old Testament scriptures. They are unbelievers.

And yet the gospel should go to them. that they also may be gathered in into this one body, into this one church, into this one building. And so first the Jews, then the Samaritans hear the word and they believe. They believe the word and they are baptized. Then as we continue on in the book of Acts we see that the Gentiles also receive the word. and they hear the gospel and they believe that Jesus Christ came into the world and they also receive the Holy Spirit in exactly the same way as the Jews.

Everything is done in exactly the same way so that there can be no division. There can be no elevation. There can be no pride. The Jews can't say, well, we received the gospel with a greater power and measure than you did. We received greater gifts than you did.

If you look at the three accounts, they believed, they were baptized, they had hands laid on them, they received the Holy Spirit, and they received the gifts given to them by the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and miracles and so forth. Jew, Samaritan, and Gentile.

Jesus says to the apostles, 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.

And so they were to go and as we read the book of Acts we see that there was a lot of stagnation and so God in his sovereignty, in his own will to bring about his own purposes, rose up a persecution against the church and that the church then scatters The apostles remain in Jerusalem, but the church scatters.

And as they scatter, they go everywhere preaching the word. Therefore, they were scattered abroad when everywhere preaching the word. When Philip went down the city of Samaria and preached Christ, unto them. So this persecution brought about a moving of the church, a spreading of the church and as they moved They continued to tell and to preach the gospel. It can be translated that they gossiped the gospel. They went everywhere speaking about the Lord Jesus Christ. They went everywhere speaking about that Christ has come, the Messiah has come, the Anointed One has come, the Lamb of God has come, and his kingdom has been established here.

And as they went, the Holy Spirit working with them. But it wasn't just the preaching of the word. People were not just to say, oh, it's a nice message. It's a nice lifestyle. It's a nice way of life. It's a nice way to bring up my children with this account of God coming down in the flesh. wasn't just a lifestyle change or turning over of a new leaf.

It was the transformation of the heart that brought about a change of the will, a change of the nature in causing that sinner to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and to rest their whole hope of heaven completely upon him and upon his finished work. And they were to demonstrate that by being baptized. They were to demonstrate their faith. This faith is that invisible thing that takes place in the heart that causes someone to act, causing someone to move.

It is a transformation, a spiritual work within the heart, but causes an action. It's like changing a battery in something that's dead. It is putting life into something. You know what it is to change the batteries on things that are dead. We say it's dead. The battery is dead. And so we change the battery and we put a new battery in it. And there is movement. There is evidence of life. And so it is with the child of God that is born again.

The Spirit of God enters them and they're given life. And that life is seen. that life produces a movement, it produces faith, that person now desires to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. And what we see in the book of Acts, as the Spirit of God gives life, then there is that turning from sin and a desire to follow the Lord Jesus. And what is the first act Firstly, I suppose we could say it is to believe, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, is to turn from your sin in repentance and faith to trust in him. But then there is another evidence, an outward evidence, that is to be baptised. We read that they believed and they were baptised. They believed and they were baptised. That baptism demonstrates publicly what was going on deep within their souls.

That is what Jesus Christ expected from those who believed. That is what he expected from those who came to see him, who he was. He expected them to follow his example. He expected them to follow the example that had been laid down and given to the church, the ordinance of baptism and then to the Lord's Supper.

He says, go ye therefore, teach all nations. Teach them about me. Tell them about my saving grace. And then, those that believe, you baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. That was the command given to the apostles, which is the mandate laid down, handed over to the church even today. That is why we see people and they believe they are baptised, because that's what the Lord Jesus told us to do.

And even the Lord Jesus Christ himself, though having never to turn from sin, being spotless from the womb without sin, yet to fulfil all righteousness, he also was baptised. Matthew chapter 3 and verse 13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be baptized of him But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptised of thee, and comest thou to me. John, knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, he didn't need to publicly demonstrate his turning from sin. He didn't need to publicly declare that he was going into the work of the ministry, but he understood that he needed to be baptised by Christ.

But Jesus says, allow it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Baptism is that public declaration of faith. It is a public declaration of what has taken place within the life of that person and for Christ Jesus to associate, we could say, with his church. To lay down that example, he also publicly demonstrated that he was being set apart for public service.

And so he submitted to the ordinance of baptism. And we see that it was approved by God the Father. By Christ's baptism was approved by God the Father. This is my beloved son. in whom I am well pleased and the Spirit of God descending upon him like a dove and lighting upon him.

And so we see that as Christ not being baptized because he is dying to self or because he's being washed from his sin or because he's demonstrating what has taken place in his life, but he's laying down the mandate for the church. This is what I want my people to do, to be baptized. and then to be brought into the visible body of the believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. Allow it to be so now. For thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.

He submitted then to the ordinance of baptism. His delight was to do the will of the Father. And the Father says, this, is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Jesus Christ was baptised. The apostles were baptized. The early church were all baptized.

We think of this eunuch, a man who would not really have been allowed into temple worship. He would not have been allowed into the inner court, but would have had to stand outside. in the court of the Gentiles. Also being a eunuch as well, he was seen as someone who was ceremonially unclean because of what had happened to him. But we see him also receiving the gospel.

Nothing happens in this book, nothing has been written down haphazardly or by chance. Holy men of God moved along by the Holy Spirit have written things down for our instruction. And so everything has been precisely recorded and has a specific reason or is demonstrating something to us.

Jew, Samaritan, Gentile, and even a eunuch. The Samaritans, it says both men and women. Now in the Jewish community, there was that division. They were not able to worship together. There was that separation. When the church comes along, when Christ brings in the church, they're all baptised in the same way. There's no distinction or separation.

Rich or poor, male and female, boy or girl, eunuch or whole. sick or well, all must come through the ordinance of baptism to come into the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, there may be specific reasons why somebody may not be baptised. We think of the thief on the cross who never had the opportunity to be baptised. Yet we would know for sure that if he was to have come down from the cross, if he were to have survived the crucifixion and been able to live, he also would have been baptised.

Baptism is not saving, it doesn't save anybody, but it demonstrates the saving grace that has taken place within their hearts. It demonstrates that they have died to self. and that they have died with Christ and that they go into the water demonstrating publicly that the old man has passed away and that the new man has risen again. The old girl, the old woman has passed away, but the new one is risen again. It is symbolic. It does not save us. And we see that with Simon.

Simon here, he was baptised just like everybody else. As Philip preached the gospel in Samaria, people believed the word that they were baptised. He says he also believed. He also was baptised. But his belief was not a saving belief, it was a head knowledge. He jumped on the bandwagon, as it were. Everybody else is believing. Everybody else is being baptized. So I am also going to, I don't want to be the odd one out.

But we see that after a while, his unregenerate heart exposes itself. You see, it can't be hidden for long. Someone may be baptized and they may be unconverted. They may not be born again. and they can't hide it for very long. It will soon expose, the sin will penetrate through.

Sometimes we have mould on the walls and you try and paint over it and it's alright for a little while. It looks nice and white But then slowly the mould begins to penetrate through the paint. And you realise you've not dealt with the problem, you've just covered it over. And so it was with Simon. He just painted over the mould. He painted over the corruption in his heart.

He wasn't truly born again, although he demonstrated it by being baptised He wasn't truly saved. And so baptism itself does not save anybody. And we see with Simon, he wanted power. He wanted the status that he had before, as he was a wizard, as he did sorcery and witchcraft. But he wasn't truly, he truly saved. He didn't have any fruit of the Spirit. He wasn't humble. He wanted status. He wanted power. He wanted influence.

And the apostles saw it. In verse 18 it says, And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee, for I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.

You see, he was still unregenerate. painted the outside, like as Jesus says, a whitewashed tomb, looking good on the outside, but inside is still dead men's bones, still an unregenerate heart. And it was seen, like the mould coming through the paint, it was seen by his words and by his actions. This man was still in the gall of bitterness. the bond of of iniquity.

So it doesn't save us but it is a symbol and yes more than a symbol done in its right way for it demonstrates what has taken place in our lives. Yes that we have died to self and risen again in newness of life. We have been washed washed from our sin and made white in the blood of the lamb and we've risen again cleansed from our sin, risen again justified before the law of God, a righteousness, stand righteousness before God himself.

In Corinthians it tells us, Corinthians chapter 12, For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of that one body being many are one body, so also is Christ. speaking of the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ, the building not made with hands, the sheepfold of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit bringing people from their sin to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, he brings them into this spiritual church.

But then he goes on to say, that we are all baptized into one body for by one spirit we are all baptized into one body all baptized by the holy spirit of god as we saw in the in the on the day of Pentecost that the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the apostles and they began to proclaim the Kingdom of God. They began to preach Christ Jesus and then we saw the Spirit of God poured out upon the Jews. And they all heard the gospel, the wonderful works of God in their own dialect. And we see the Samaritans all receiving the word of God. We see the Gentiles receiving the word of God. We see the eunuch receiving the word of God. And they're all baptized by one spirit into one body.

It's not that one Christian has an individual Holy Spirit and another Christian has an individual Holy Spirit. It is one Spirit. The Holy Spirit, he is one. The third person of the Trinity, God himself. that Christ has given to continue on his work of advancing his kingdom.

They are all baptized with one spirit. It's all one level playing field, all brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. There's only one way, and it's the way by the work of God's spirit. And so they're all baptized into the self, same spirit. People who once hated each other, Jew and Gentile, are brought to a saving knowledge of Christ by the same spirit. And they are brought into union, one with another.

As the Bible tells us, it is the unity of the spirit and we are united in one spirit. For as the body is one, and as many members, all the members of that one body being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one spirit we're all baptized into one body, whether Jew or Gentile, or whether bond or slave or free, all being had to make to drink of the same spirit. And so this spirit of God poured out through the preaching of the gospel, gathers multitudes of people of all varieties and brings them into one body, brings them into the unity of the spirit, various members, different abilities, different gifts, but all working together for the advancement of the kingdom, for the good of each other and for the elevation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

And so this is another way by which baptism is spoken of in the scriptures. Baptised by one's spirit into the church. We see, as it demonstrates in the book of Acts, that as they are baptised in water and they rise again, as it were, in newness of life, they are brought into the visible church of the Lord Jesus. They are accepted into that one body.

Now we are the body of Christ and members in particular. God has given various gifts to each individual believer to work together. If you are outside of the church, if you are unbaptised and outside of the church and the gifts that you have been given by his spirit remain unused, remain unused. You are outside of the visible body of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we have been baptised, then we should be together, united in one church. What about if you are not baptised? Why are you not baptised? If you asked the question, like the eunuch, what does hinder me from being baptised? What is hindering you?

Philip said, if thou believest with all thy 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 down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. It wasn't a lengthy testimony. He didn't go all the way back to his experiences years ago, but he came to this point, the tip of the iceberg, we might say. I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. If you look at Matthew chapter 16, very similar testimony to the apostle Peter.

And when Jesus came to the coast of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples saying, who do men say that I the son of man am? And they said, some say that thou art John the Baptist, some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. And he said unto them, but who say ye that I am?

If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. Philip is saying to him, who do you say that the son of man is? Who do you say that this lamb led to the slaughter is? He says, I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. Simon Peter answered and said, thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.

That was his testimony. That was the pinnacle of his experience. That is where the spirit of God brought him to testify that Jesus Christ is the son of God. And what does Jesus say? Blessed art thou, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. That's where that faith came from. The ability to testify that Jesus Christ is the son of God and then to have a desire to wholeheartedly follow him comes from the work of God within the heart, comes from a transformation of the heart to enable somebody to believe and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, to stake their life, their eternity upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. It comes from the work of God. My Father who is in heaven has showed you this. Is that where you can come this morning?

You may not say I don't know much. I haven't got a theological degree, but what I can say I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, and I believe that my only hope of heaven is in him. Though I have no righteousness of my own, I trust in Jesus Christ and his finished work. I have died to self. I've risen again in newness of life.

And you can say, see, then here is water. What does hinder me to be baptised? Well, if that's your testimony, if you can declare that Jesus Christ is the son of God and your whole desire is to follow him, to reject your old life, then here is water. Be baptised. And Philip said to them, if you believe with all your heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Those of us who have been baptised, what's changed in our life since we were baptised? One of the first steps, the first evidence that we can declare that we are a believer in the Lord Jesus is that we are baptised. We gather, or friends and family want to come, they want to witness this testimony of faith.

What's changed since that day? That day when you were in your first love, What's changed? How far have you walked down the road with the Lord Jesus Christ? How much have you been conformed into his likeness? What things has he brought into your life to shape you and to mould you and to draw you closer and closer to him?

Has anything changed? For Simon the sorcerer, nothing changed. Nothing changed. In fact, things were made worse. It was revealed to him that he is still in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity, still filled with pride and a self that elevation.

What's changed in our life? It's always good, isn't it, to self-reflect, to go back to that point when we so loved the Lord Jesus Christ, we were so close to the Lord Jesus Christ that we wanted to follow Him and we felt that we could do anything for Him and we were willing to publicly declare our love for Him in being baptised. How easy it is to become like, you know, the churches in Revelation, to become lukewarm, to become cold, distant from the one that we once loved. His word was once sweet to our taste, but then it's like we go on a diet, we don't like the sweetness anymore. We neglect the one who loved us so much. that He came to earth to live and to die for us. What is holding you back from being baptised?

Is it your sin? Maybe you think, well, I'm such a sinner. Well, Jesus Christ is the friend of sinners. He came into the world to save sinners. who has shown you your sin, who's made you aware that you're a sinner, who makes you cry over your sin? Is it not his spirit that has made you alive? Is it not the heavenly father who has revealed himself to you to show you that you are sick with sin? It's for sinners Jesus came. He's the doctor of the soul. And as you are sick, then come to the Lord Jesus Christ and ask for forgiveness and be baptised. Is it your situation? Maybe you think life's too busy. I've got so much going on. I can't possibly be baptised at this moment. I'm just going to put it off and put it off and put it off.

But the eunuch says, look, here's water. Yes, I'm on my journey. Yes, I'm heading back to my own country. But stop the chariot. Here's water. I'm getting baptized now before anything else distracts me. Yes, I've sinned the beloved lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. I've sinned the suffering savior. Now is the time. Today, if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Stop the chariot. I want to be baptised. Your situation is no excuse. Jesus says, follow me. Follow me. Deny yourself. Take up your cross and follow me.

Today is the day. Maybe you'll say you're too young. I'm too young. I can't be baptised. Nobody will listen to me. I haven't got much to say. Maybe you're saying you're too old. You're too old to be baptised. Not too many ailments, too many worries, too many concerns. You're never too old. You're never too young.

Jesus says, suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for such is the kingdom of heaven. If Jesus Christ has shown himself to you, that if you love him and you want to follow him, then say, look, here is water. What is stopping me from being baptized? If you believe that Jesus Christ is, if you believe with your whole heart, You may. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Maybe you're not 100% sure if you're saved. Maybe you're not 100% sure if you truly believe. We'll look at the evidence. Why? Why do you want to? Why are those thoughts running around your mind about having a concern to follow the Lord Jesus Christ?

It doesn't say, be fully assured of your salvation. It says, believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. He doesn't quiz him. But he says, if you believe with your whole heart, you may. It's a personal experience with the Spirit of God and with Jesus Christ. If you believe, then be baptised. Do you love the Lord Jesus? Could you live without the Lord Jesus in your life? Why do you want him in your life if you have no concern for him, if you have no need for him? Do you love the Lord Jesus?

Jesus says, if you love me, then keep my commandments. Go into all the world and preach the gospel, baptising them as a commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us fulfil all righteousness. And he allowed him. It is an ordinance of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ to be baptised. It's a command of the Lord's people to be baptised and to be brought into union with the visible church that your gifts and your abilities may be used for the advancement of the kingdom and for the good and edification of the people of God. Saved to serve. saved to live for the Lord Jesus Christ, not to hold your light underneath a bushel and to live a life of obscurity, no, but to live a life of service to the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you need the Lord Jesus?

Do you love him? Do you need him? The lady said, I will not let thee, or Jacob said, I will not let thee go except thou bless me. He needed, he needed him. We've seen as we look through the miracles of Jesus Christ, we've seen those people, they needed Jesus. They desperately wanted the Lord Jesus Christ. They wanted his external cleansing. But you need him for your spiritual cleansing.

Have you got nothing to tell? what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for you? Do you not have any blessings, any answers to prayer? Do you not have a verse of scripture that has been applied to your soul and given you much comfort and hope? Little children, John says, thy sins are forgiven. Thy sins are forgiven. Son, Thy sins are forgiven. Daughter, thy faith has saved thee. Go in peace.

Why would God speak a word of comfort to somebody he hates? Why would God speak a word of comfort and hope to somebody who's still in the darkness, still at enmity with him? He speaks to his children. He answers the prayers of his children. He draws his children closer to himself. He speaks to you because he loves you.

And he gave his son for you that you might live, but that you might live with him and serve him. I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. And he commanded the church to stand still. And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. See, here is water.

What does hinder you to be baptized? That's a question to ask yourself. What is hindering me from being baptized? What is holding me back? Is it that I have nothing to say? that I'm still in the darkness, I'm still in my sin, I don't care. Or has Christ done something for you but you're afraid, you don't want to?

Well, your life is not your own. You are brought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and declare what he has done for you and for the good of your never-dying soul. Amen. Let's sing our closing hymn from Hymns for Worship number 49. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear. It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear. Hymns for Worship 49, tune 227. The name of Jesus sounds in every man's head. It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.

♪ It makes the wounded spirit whole ♪ ♪ And calms the troubled breast ♪ ♪ Tis magna to the hungry soul ♪ ♪ And to the weary world ♪ The name the rock on which I build my shield and hiding place. ♪ Mine ever-vain treasury filled ♪ ♪ With boundless stores of grace ♪ ♪ Jesus my shepherd, God and friend ♪ ♪ My prophet, priest, and king ♪ ♪ I hold my life, my way, my end ♪ ♪ Accept the praise I bring you ♪ of my heart, and quote my hope as thought. But when I see thee at hour, I'll praise thee as I thought.

♪ When I heard thy love proclaim ♪ ♪ With every fleeting breath ♪ ♪ And made the music of thy name ♪ ♪ Refresh my soul every day ♪ Gracious God, we do thank Thee for the gift of Thy beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank Thee for His example and we thank Thee for His command to follow Him and we pray, Lord, we may be granted that faith to step out in faith onto the water, looking unto the Lord Jesus Christ and being obedient unto him. We pray then, Lord, that thou dismiss us with thy blessing to be with us in the interval of worship and to gather us together in thy name this evening, we pray. And now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, with the fellowship and communion of the Holy Spirit, to be with you each now and forevermore. Amen.

See, here is water

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about baptism?

How do we know baptism is important for Christians?

Why do some people hesitate to be baptized?

What is the relationship between faith and baptism?

Why is it necessary to be part of the church after baptism?

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See, here is water

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about baptism?

How do we know baptism is important for Christians?

Why do some people hesitate to be baptized?

What is the relationship between faith and baptism?

Why is it necessary to be part of the church after baptism?

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About James Gudgeon

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