Baptism Study

[0:00] Acts 8, verse 26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise and go toward the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

[0:23] Philip had just been in a time of revival, preaching the gospel in the villages of the Samaritans. And verse 27 And he arose and went.

[0:34] And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning.

[0:51] And sitting in his chariot, read Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran there to him and heard him read the prophet Isaiah and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

[1:07] And he said, How can I accept some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this.

[1:19] He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, like a lamb, done before his shearer. So opened he not his mouth. In his humiliation his judgment was taken away.

[1:29] And who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. So this is Isaiah 53. And this was some 800 years before the time of Calvary.

[1:42] Of course it's speaking about the Lord Jesus Christ. As a sheep to the slaughter, like a lamb, done before his shearer. So opened he not his mouth. And verse 34 And the eunuch answered Philip and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this, of himself or of some other man.

[2:00] Then Philip opened his mouth and began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water. And the eunuch said, See, here is water.

[2:12] 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.

[2:26] 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. And when they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord called away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more.

[2:40] And he went on his way rejoicing. A conversion story. God directs Philip.

[2:51] Even in that time he was in of revival amongst the Samaritans, he directs Philip to go somewhere completely different. To some dusty outback track.

[3:02] In the middle of a desert. Where a man is searching for answers. God is interested in the individual. In the individual. He's interested, as much as there was lots happening amongst the Samaritans, Philip was sent to one man.

[3:18] To one man. An individual. God is interested in the individual. In you. In you. This man from Ethiopia, he was a man in a position of power.

[3:30] He was a royal treasurer. It was a very high position. And he was a religious man. He'd come to Jerusalem to worship. He'd come a great distance to worship God.

[3:43] Philip the evangelist, it says that he ran to the chariot. He ran to the chariot. He was ready to obey God and be a witness. We see in this account some vital ingredients of evangelism.

[3:59] Something that should matter to every born again believer. Something that should be very important to us. We see an obedient servant. We see a prepared heart.

[4:11] We see the Spirit of God. And we see the Word of God. Proclaimed and received. Evangelism. It's something very dear to the heart of God. His heart beat.

[4:22] His souls. Souls. Souls. The evangelist came to this man. Here was this man. This eunuch. This royal.

[4:33] This man of royalty. This royal treasurer. The eunuch. A religious man. Returning to his home country. Philip asked him a very simple question.

[4:45] You know. Sometimes evangelism. We can get all caught up in this method or that method. But sometimes it's just simple questions. Just simple challenges.

[4:56] Just simple truths. He said to this man a simple question. Do you understand what you are reading? That's a simple question. That's a question you or I could ask someone, isn't it?

[5:08] Do you understand about God? Do you understand about the message of the Bible? Of what it's saying to us? This eunuch.

[5:19] He was religious. But he did not know the Saviour. There's some good points in this story that show how a conversion can occur.

[5:32] One of the things that we notice is the eunuch had an open book. He had an open book. He had the right book opened to the right place.

[5:45] He had God's Word in his hand. He had the Scriptures. He had an open book. And number two, he had an open mind. He had a mind that was receptive for instruction.

[5:56] What was he reading? Isaiah 53 verses 7 through 8. It says, He was oppressed and he was afflicted. Yet opened not he his mouth.

[6:08] He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter as a sheep before her shearers is done. So he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment.

[6:21] And he shall declare his generation. For he was cut off out of the land of the living. For the transgression of my people was he stricken. Here was this man just heading home after this great trip to Jerusalem.

[6:39] An open book in his hand. An open mind as he was reading it. An inquiring mind. A receptive mind. And then we see what happens in verse 35.

[6:49] We see that someone comes to him with an open mouth. That's evangelism. Someone with an open mouth. God can use your mouth.

[7:00] You brother. You sister. God can use your mouth if it were but open. As it says that we should confess him before man. Confess him before man. Young people, children and youth can confess Christ before man.

[7:15] You can confess Christ and tell the good news story. Open your mouth. Like this preacher did. Imparting that simple message. What was his message? Philip preached unto him Jesus.

[7:28] Philip preached unto him Jesus. There's all things, all manner of things we can preach. Some are out there and out there. But we want to preach Jesus.

[7:40] We want to preach that simple message. The simple gospel. That's critical wherever we gather. That the gospel is offered. It's extended to man.

[7:52] And Philip extended the gospel to this man. He introduced the man to the saviour. Philip no doubt would have spoken of Christ dying for our sins. Of Christ rising.

[8:04] Being buried and rising the third day. According to the scriptures. It's the gospel. We read of that in 1 Corinthians 15 verses 1 to 4. So Philip spoke to the man of the gospel.

[8:18] He gave him the good news story. The news of salvation. How to become a Christian. That would be what they spoke about.

[8:29] How can I know that I am a Christian? How can I know salvation? Friends, God works in human hearts. And he still does that today.

[8:40] In human hearts. Just like yours and mine. That's how he has always operated. Through his word. Human hearts. You know, we're not back in Genesis or through Revelation.

[8:51] But God uses human hearts. God speaks to human hearts still in the 21st century. And the message is still the same. We must admit our sin.

[9:02] Confess. We must turn. Repent. And we must put our faith. Our trust. In Christ. In his forgiveness. In his saving grace.

[9:15] Come unto him. We see another conversion experience recounted in Acts 16. From verse 14. Of a woman here. Her name is Lydia. It says there was a certain woman named Lydia.

[9:28] In Acts 16 verse 14. It says she heard us whose heart the Lord opened. That she attended unto the things which were spoken by Paul.

[9:40] And it says verse 16. She was baptised and her household. Salvation happens when there's a heart that is opened unto the Lord. God opened Lydia's heart.

[9:51] The great heart surgeon. Who can take that old stony hardened heart. And replace it with a heart living. Alive. In tune with him.

[10:03] A heart after his own heart. And God opens wide the hearts of men and women today. Hearts opened. That light can penetrate the darkness that is there.

[10:14] When a person places their trust in Christ as Lord and Saviour. A conversion happens. Salvation happens. As faith and trust is brought to life.

[10:26] The challenge is to believe. We see another conversion account. In Acts 16. Of the Philippian jailer. He says what must I do.

[10:37] What must I do to be saved. He says believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. And thou shalt be saved. And thy house.

[10:47] Very simple. Very simple response really isn't it. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. And thou shalt be saved.

[10:58] At that point. At that moment. At that instant of faith. As it springs to life in a human heart. As that light goes on. As faith is created.

[11:09] In the heart of a man or a woman. As we believe. The word says our hearts are purified by faith. In that moment. In that instant. A heart can be made pure and clean.

[11:22] The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin. That stain of sin can be removed. By trusting the blood of Jesus Christ.

[11:36] It's the blood of Jesus that saves. And you then asked Philip. What must then Philip. Asked about being baptized. Now. We're touching more on baptism tonight.

[11:50] Because it's topical. We've got someone being baptized today. And the question might be asked. What's baptism all about?

[12:00] What does it mean? Who's it for? It's for people who believe on the Lord. It's for people who gladly receive the word of God. In Acts 2.41.

[12:11] It says. Then they that gladly received his word. Were baptized. You know. There wasn't any great indoctrination session. Or having to meet particular requirements.

[12:25] Other than the simple requirement. Of receiving the word. Of receiving the saviour. Of trusting him. Of believing. Of receiving him by faith.

[12:36] So the gospel message. It has to be individually received. We see with those people. Right through. Those ones that we talked about. The eunuch. Lydia. The Philippian jailer. We see.

[12:47] In Acts 2. The people. They gladly received. His word. It was individually received. Now. Faith comes by hearing. Thank God. That Philip came.

[12:58] And spoke the message. To the man. And we too need to be faithful. God helping us. To take. And seize those opportunities. To be his witnesses. To tell others of.

[13:08] The saving grace of God. In Acts 18. Verse 18. We see the Corinthians. They hearing. Believed. And were baptized. So it's quite. Sequential really.

[13:22] It follows on. Doesn't it? Baptism is certainly. Important. Certainly important. And what is baptism? Now. There's various churches. That practice.

[13:33] What they call baptism. I was supposedly. Baptized. When I was. A few weeks old. Some. Man.

[13:44] In a fancy garb. Sprinkled some water. And put a sign of a cross. On this little baby's head. And some churches. Call that baptism. The Bible doesn't say.

[13:54] That's baptism. It's nothing to do with it. Nothing to do with the Bible. The Bible word for baptism. Baptism means to immerse. Or submerge in water. It means to dunk.

[14:06] It means to dip. It does not mean a pouring over. Or a sprinkling over. And so for a true picture. Baptism means a going down into the water. And a coming up out of it.

[14:18] We see that in this account. Of Acts 8. They both went down into the water. And they came back out of it. It's that true picture. Because baptism is a type. It's like a picture.

[14:29] It's like God takes a photo. To illustrate a truth. It's like a picture. Of what happens in the spiritual. In the heart of a believer. That joyful obedience.

[14:40] Of following his command. That outward picture. Of the inward event. That outward sign. Of the inner change. So what does that mean?

[14:51] What does baptism mean? It's a question. Some don't fully grasp. They don't understand. What it fully represents. In simple terms.

[15:03] Baptism. Pictures Christ's death. And resurrection. It pictures Christ. Dying for us. Being buried. And then rising again. And it identifies us.

[15:15] With the Lord Jesus. In that act. That saving work. Of the cross. The water. Represents for us. A grave. As Christ went down. Into the grave.

[15:26] He was buried. And then he came up. Alive. And victorious. And it could be said. That every baptism. Is a sermon. Every baptism.

[15:37] Is a message. Of the gospel. To us. In picture form. It preaches Christ. To us. It preaches salvation. It encourages. Every believer.

[15:48] To show. That they belong. To him. Baptism. Is like a wedding. Where we plant. Our love. Publicly. It's the outward symbol. Of the commitment. That you made.

[15:58] In your heart. It's that special love. Relationship. Between you. And the Lord. And wearing the wedding ring. Doesn't make you married. But it shows. That you are married. And you're not ashamed.

[16:10] To show it. So ladies. If it says. That wedding ring. It says. That you belong to a man. That you love. With all your heart. And your wedding ring. Is a way of showing it.

[16:22] So too. Baptism. Is a picture. A representation. Of that. Spiritual work. Of our identifying. With him.

[16:33] And he with us. It's a public identification. With the Lord Jesus. So. Baptism shows. How Christ died. He was buried. And he rose back to life.

[16:44] As the believer. Is in the water. He represents. That he has died. As he goes down. Into the water. He represents. That he is buried. And then. As he is raised.

[16:54] Out of the water. It represents. How Christ. Rose back to life. And for. Believers.

[17:05] It also represents. The spiritual work. That God does. With us. In salvation. The newness of life. That we have. In Christ. So. When you are. Baptised.

[17:16] It pictures. You're dying to sin. And the world. As you're buried. With him. And then you're rising to walk. In newness of life. In him. As you're raised out. Of the water.

[17:27] So. There's much spiritual truth. That is pictured. In. The act of baptism. So. Baptism is a consecration. Of our life. A commitment.

[17:38] And it's a public testimony. Of that. It demonstrates. To others. What God is doing. With us. Within us. In Matthew 10.

[17:48] 32. It says. Whoever therefore shall. Confess me. Before men. Him will I. Confess also. Before my father. Witches in heaven. It's a demonstration.

[17:59] Of what God is doing. Of what has taken place. In our life. It's an obedience. To the Lord. In Luke 6. The Lord Jesus says. There's some people.

[18:09] Who say. Lord. Lord. But they don't do. What I've asked them to do. Obeying God. In baptism. Is a sign. Of our faith.

[18:20] It follows the Lord's example. That perfect one. Even the Lord. Even the Lord Jesus. Was. Baptised. He is our ultimate model. Our ultimate example. Not that he was.

[18:32] In any way. A sinner. But that he. Stood. As our model. As he went through. That. Public.

[18:43] Act. Of baptism. So. Baptism is very important. It. Pleases the Lord. When we are baptised. As. Even the Lord Jesus. Was baptised.

[18:54] The Father said. This is my beloved son. In whom. I am well pleased. So. We do well. To be baptised. As a public witness. Of our faith. It.

[19:05] Signifies. Who we belong to. Who we identify with. Baptism. Does not. Make you. A believer. It shows. That you already believe.

[19:16] It shows. That you already. Believe. So that if. It were to happen. That you trust him. And. You've yet to be baptised. For whatever reason.

[19:28] It's your faith. That saves. Having said that. It's wise. And. It's obedient to God. To be baptised. If you're not baptised.

[19:40] There's not really. A good reason. Not to be. Really. In my opinion. So. Baptism. Doesn't make you. A believer. But. It shows. That you already. Believe. Baptism.

[19:51] Does not. Save you. It's faith in Christ. That saves. As we read. In Ephesians 2. For by grace. I. Saved. Through faith. That. Not. Of yourselves.

[20:01] It is the. Gift of God. Not. Of works. Less. Any man. Should boast. Now some. Sadly. Even lay claim. To their baptism. As if somehow.

[20:11] That is saving them. That is an error. Who should be baptised? Every believer. Who has believed in Christ. We see. In Acts 8. Verse 12. Just prior to the eunuch event.

[20:23] That Philip. Was preaching. And the people. Believed him. And. They believed him. Preaching the things. Concerning the kingdom of God. And the name of Jesus Christ.

[20:34] They were baptised. Both men. And women. Now notice here. It's interesting. Isn't it? Notice. It says. It's for men. And women. It's for believers. It's not for babies.

[20:46] Or infants. Who cannot. Speak for themselves. It is believers. Baptism. That's what we believe in. Believers. Baptism. If you're a believer. You can be baptised.

[20:57] If you're saved. You can be baptised. The baptism. Does not save you. It is a symbol. Of. Dying with Christ. Of receiving new life. Of the very power.

[21:08] That raised Christ. From the dead. So baptism is. Something precious. It preaches the gospel to us. In the death. The burial. The resurrection of Christ. And for the believer.

[21:20] Of. The burial of the old self. The resurrection. Of the believer's soul. The new life. We know in Christ. And it testifies to God's work.

[21:32] Within us. So. The eunuch. Asks of Philip. He asks a question of him. What doth hinder me to be baptised?

[21:42] What hindrance is there for me to be baptised? Philip said. If thou believest. With all thine heart thou mayest. There's just two conditions.

[21:55] Philip. Tells the man. Two conditions really. He must believe. In Jesus Christ. As the son of God. And he must believe. With his whole heart.

[22:06] Believe in Christ. And believe. With your whole heart. You know. Hold nothing back. Surrender. All. Give your heart. Holy and solely. And the eunuch.

[22:18] The eunuch opened. Up his own mouth. To confess Christ. Before men. So we see. He had an open book. He had an open mind. The preacher had an open mouth.

[22:28] To. Tell him. The good news. And then this man. He opened his own mouth. And he confessed. Jesus Christ. Is the son of God.

[22:39] Jesus Christ. Is. My Lord. In effect. As he confessed Christ. Before men. And. He could be baptized. Because. Of his confession.

[22:50] So. Who should be baptized? Only those. Who have trusted. The Lord Jesus. As their savior. In Acts 2. 41. They can join that number. Who it says. They gladly received his word.

[23:02] And were baptized. And then we read. Of the account. Of the eunuch. And then. What happened next. It says. After his baptism. The eunuch returns. To Ethiopia. With joy. There's joy.

[23:13] And gladness. In trusting Christ. In following him. And. I know this. An understanding. That. Likely he went. To be a missionary.

[23:24] To his own land. This. Ethiopian man. A man from Africa. Went to the nation. Of Africa. And took the message. With him. Friends.

[23:34] We can see. The wonderful truth. Here tonight. Of what God can do. As a man. Has an open book. An open heart. And an open mouth. To confess.

[23:45] Christ. As his Lord and Saviour. To confess. CONGRATIST