“What Hinders Me from Being Baptized?”

When Philip was called by the Lord to overtake a chariot headed to Gaza, there was more to overcome than just the chariot. A man was reading God’s word but he did not understand it. He needed guidance and encouragement from an evangelist. He needed knowledge. He needed a change of heart.

As they came upon some water, this man asked the question, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36). One obvious conclusion from this passage is that baptism is necessary for salvation. If not the case, there would be no reason for the Ethiopian to request it. But in an even more practical sense, we should also see that some things might hinder a person from obeying the gospel.

Whatever might hinder needs to be removed! So what does hinder people from being baptized?

1. A lack of CONNECTION. (Hosea 4:6; Rom. 10:17; Rom. 10:1-3).

• We need to abide in the word. We need to preach Jesus (John 8:31-32; Acts 8:35).

2. A lack of CONVICTION (Acts 16:31; Acts 8:37).

• Faith is not just believing in something, it is fully trusting and relying upon it (Heb. 11:6).

3. A lack of CORRECTION (Matt. 19:16-26).

• We must count the cost, leave everything, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-26, 57-62).

4. A lack of CONFESSION (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:10; Matt. 32-33).

• We are to speak for Him. We are to show Jesus to the world (Matt. 5:14-16).

5. A lack of COMPULSION (Acts 22:16; John 14:15).

• There should never be anything – if it has been commanded, that we are not willing to do for our God and Savior (Luke 17:10).

So what is hindering us? What often hinders us from becoming Christians is also what hinders us from continuing to please God. Connecting with His word, being convicted by what it teaches, correcting where we have strayed, confessing Him in the world, and being compelled to obey Him completely.

Let nothing stand between you and God. If you are not a Christian, remove whatever is keeping that from becoming a reality. If you are a Christian, but Satan is keeping you from being what God wants you to be – then it is time to make things right with God and be ready to meet Jesus when He comes again.

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AUTHOR: Jeremiah Tatum