Obedience to God #
Acts 8:26-39
Introduction
Our passage this morning is probably the most clear passage exemplifying baptism in all the Bible! There are other passages that discuss baptism, but this one is very clear.
I. The Soulwinner (Philip) #
• Philip was already actively sharing Jesus!
Acts 8:5–6 —5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
A. Obedient to Go (Acts 8:26-27a) #
i. Arise – we must get up… in order to Go! #
ii. Go – he had a mandate from God! #
Mark 16:15 —15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. • Those who need the Gospel are not usually the ones that are setting here in the church house! • We must go to the world to reach them! • The first two letters of the Gospel is GO!
iii. To the desert… didn’t make a lot of sense… #
B. Sensitive to the Spirit (Acts 8:29) #
i. He was in the right place… but still needed further guidance! #
ii. Still small voice of the Spirit! #
1 Thessalonians 5:19 —19 Quench not the Spirit.
C. Looking for opportunity #
• We need to keep our eyes open for lost
• I enjoy deer hunting… go into the woods, look for deer, I’m on the look out!
• Are you on the hunt, look out for lost souls…. Opportunities.
II. The Salvation message #
A. Bible base! (Acts 8:30) “heard him read the prophet Esaias” #
• What a great opportunity! This man was already reading the Bible and interested!
i. Bible is necessary for salvation! #
• Salvation is not through the pope, not through a church, not through living a good life…
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ◦ The Word of God is truth!
ii. Bible Message of Salvation: #
• All have sinned!!! – not a big sin… Adam & Eve simply disobeyed God
Romans 3:10 —10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: • Condemned because of sin! Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; … • Sin of disobedience, not believing in Jesus is enough! John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. • You need a Saviour: - Jesus came to this world, lived a sinless life, died on the cross of Calvary, and rose again from the dead! Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 10:9-10 —9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
B. Jesus saves! (Acts 8:35b) “preached unto him Jesus” #
C. Man needed “how can I except some man show me” #
III. The Saved #
• The witness and salvation is not recorded for us… but he put his faith in Jesus for Salv.
A. Desire to be baptized! (Acts 8:36) #
• This man desired to be baptized!
• We should have to push, and prod people to be baptized, you should desire to be baptized!
B. Baptism requirements (Acts 8:36-37) #
i. Salvation! #
◦ This is why we do not baptize babies
◦ Baptism doesn’t save you! Salvation is the prerequisite for baptism
C. Obedience to God (Matt 28:19) #
• Not being baptized is disobedience to God’s clear command!
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
D. Baptism is immersion (Acts 8:38) #
i. Both went into the water #
• Baptism according to the Bible is always by immersion, that is literally what the word means in its root.
ii. Immersion is a picture of the death burial and resurrection of Jesus! #
• If you have not been saved, you need to put your faith and trust in Jesus alone for Salvation.
• If you have not been baptized, you need to be baptized, talk with me and we can get both of those things straight.