After hearing preaching about Jesus, a eunuch from Ethiopia asked, “What prevents me from being baptized?” Clearly, he had been told about the necessity for baptism (Mark 16:16). He had been told that baptism was essential to have his sins washed away by the blood of the Lamb (Acts 22:16).
Have you been baptized? If not, why not? What is preventing you from being baptized?
Is it fear?
- Do you fear water? Are you afraid of being immersed in water? We will ensure you don’t drown and are immersed quickly and safely.
- Do you fear your family? Are you afraid that your family will criticize and reject you? Fear the consequences of rejecting the Lord’s teaching rather than your family (Matthew 10:28, 37-39).
- Do you fear being baptized in front of an assembly of worshippers? No Bible passage suggests you have to be baptized in front of a bunch of people. The Ethiopian was baptized in the middle of the desert (Acts 8:26, 38).
- Do you fear that you are not good enough? No one is good enough and deserves forgiveness from God (Titus 2:11-12). Salvation is available because of God’s grace. Baptism is for those who understand that they can’t save themselves (Acts 2:37-38).
- No fear should stand between you and having your sins washed away.
Is it a dead loved one?
- Do you fear that you will condemn departed family members who were not baptized?
- Every person is accountable for their actions (Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Since God will judge us all for our own lives, your choices cannot possibly affect those who have died.
- Wherever your dead loved ones are, they would want you to obey the gospel (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Luke 16:27-28).
- While we have no control over where our departed loved ones end up after this life, we do have control over how we respond to what the Scriptures teach about baptism.
Is it a lack of knowledge?
- Do you believe that perfect knowledge and understanding of the Bible are necessary before baptism?
- If that were true, no one person could ever be baptized! No person will ever have a perfect understanding of the Bible. No person will ever reach a point where they don’t have to read, study, and grow (2 Peter 1:5-6).
- There are numerous examples of people being baptized after hearing one sermon about Jesus (Acts 2:36-41; 8:35-36; 10:34-48; 16:14-15, 31-34).
- After a person is initially converted, God wants them to grow in their knowledge and faith.
Is it commitment?
- Are you afraid to commit to the Lord and His people?
- Becoming a Christian involves being committed (Luke 14:25-33). It involves striving to observe all that the Lord has commanded (Matthew 28:20).
- Christians cannot selfishly live for themselves. They cannot indulge in sinful habits and be unfruitful. They must live to the glory of God!
- What might be preventing you from committing to the Lord and being baptized?
Conclusion:
The eunuch submitted to the Lord in baptism (Acts 8:38-39). He didn’t wait, and neither should you.