What Doth Hinder Me To Be Baptized?

TEXT:  Acts 8:36

INTRODUCTION:

A.      EUNUCH HAD THE RIGHT ATTITUDE.  DIDN'T QUESTION OR RESIST.

          1.       Understood the urgency( 2 Cor. 6:1-2 ).

          2.       Understood the need.

                   a.       Takes away sin( Acts 2:38 ).

                   b.       Puts one into Christ( Rom. 6:3-4 ).

                   c.       Commanded of the Lord( Mark 16:16 ).

B.      WHAT HINDERS YOU?

I.      UNCERTAINTY REGARDING AGE.

A.      DIFFICULTY IN DETERMINING THE ACCURATE AGE.

          1.       No examples in the New Testament.

          2.       Children are different.

          3.       Danger in over persuading and discouraging.

C.      ERROR TAUGHT.

          1.       Original sin( Rom. 5:12;  Ez. 18:20 ).

          2.       Comparison to the priests( 1 Chron. 23:27;  Num 8:24-25;  4:3 ).

D.      WHAT IS INVOLVED?

          1.       Free will( Rev. 22:17 ).

          2.       Understanding of principles( Acts 8:30;  Mark 16:16 ).

          3.       Independent conviction and commitment( Heb. 11:6 ).

II.     LACK OF UNDERSTANDING.

A.      UNDERSTANDING IS NECESSARY TO OBEDIENCE( Acts 8:30 ).

          1.       It is through teaching one is drawn to Christ( John 6:44-45 ).

          2.       Jesus is to be preached( 1 Cor. 1:21;  Rom. 1:16;  Acts 8:35 ).

B.      SOME WHO DID NOT UNDERSTAND( Acts 19:1-7; Luke 3:3 & Acts 2:38 ).

C.      WHAT'S TO UNDERSTAND?

          1.       How it takes place - Immersion( baptizo,  Rom. 6:4;  Acts 8:38-39 )

          2.       In water( Acts 8:36-39;  Heb. 10:22;  1 Pet. 3:20-21 ).

          3.       What is its purpose( Acts 2:38;  22:16 ).

          4.       What it accomplishes( Gal. 3:26-27;  1 Cor. 12:13;  Acts 19 ).

D.      IMPLICATIONS:  NO BABIES, NO FORCE.  CONVICTION MUST BE HAD.

III.    PREJUDICE AND SENTIMENT.

A.      PREJUDICE:  PRECONCEIVED OPINIONS( Matt. 13:15 ).

          1.       Illustrations:  "I don't see the connection."  "You can't tell me."

          2.       Must not exalt human wisdom( 1 Cor. 3:18-19;  4:6 ).

B.      BEING BAPTIZED OFTEN MEANS A CHANGE OF FELLOWSHIP AND A

          LOSS OF FRIENDSHIP, CONDEMNING SOME LOVED ONE.

          ( Luke 9:59-60;  14:26-27 ).

C.      WHATEVER WE ARE DETERMINED TO BELIEVE( 2 Thess. 2:10-12 ).

IV.   INDIFFERENCE AND PROCRASTINATION.

A.      DO WE UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY( Matt. 16:26 ).

B.      IT IS FOREVER( Matt. 25:46 ).

NO SECOND CHANCES!

C.      THERE IS LITTLE TIME( James 4:13-17 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      NO HOPE FOR THE UNBAPTIZED( Mark 16:16;  2 Thess. 1:7-9 ).

B.      HAVE YOU BEEN BAPTIZED?