Think on
These Things
December 1997
This
is the second issue in a series of lessons on New Testament examples of
conversion. While each example
illustrates obedience to the same commands, each also demonstrates something
quite different from the point of view of the convert.
The first converts on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) were all practicing
Jews who had come to Jerusalem for the Pentecost holiday.
Acts 3-5 tells of the beginning of the persecution of the church by the
Jewish authorities. Acts 6
describes the first internal division within the church, caused by a questioning
with regard of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews with regard to taking care
of their widows. This was resolved
quickly by the appointing of faithful men to look over this process.
The
end of Acts 6 and all of Acts 7 tells of the persecution, defense and the murder
of Stephen. After this there was a
scattering of the Christians who had been localized to Jerusalem to this point. There
are no cases of conversions recorded in Acts 3-7.
However, the scattering of the Christians had the effect of spreading the
word, since: “They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching
the word” (Acts 8:4). In
particular, the disciples (excluding the apostles) went throughout the regions
of Judaea and Samaria. The
conversions of the first Samaritans are described in Acts 8:5-13.
The
specific conversion that we want to discuss here begins in Acts 8:26 and extends
to the end of the chapter. It is a
story about the conversion of an Ethiopian man who was a Jewish proselyte and
was returning home after worshiping in Jerusalem.
It demonstrates that the gospel is to extend to all races and
nationalities (Mt. 28:19).
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These
bible study questions provide assistance to you in studying and teaching God’s
word. The answers are quite clear,
and they prove that we can have the same understanding as the apostles had by
reading what they wrote (Ephesians 3:4). We
challenge you to open your bible and establish the truth.
“... AND HE BAPTIZED HIM.”
(Acts 8)
Were
some in the first century directly guided by the Spirit ? (26)
Why
was the Ethiopian man in Jerusalem? (27)
What
was he doing while sitting in his chariot? (28)
What
demonstrated Philip’s obedience? (30)
Did
the Ethiopian man ask for help? (31)
Who
was Isaiah referring to? (32-33)
Did
the Ethiopian man understand this? (34)
What
was it that Philip preached to him? (35)
Does
preaching Jesus include preaching baptism? (36)
What
is the only thing that can stand in the way of baptism? (37)
Did
they practice sprinkling, pouring or immersion? (38-39)
Was
the Ethiopian man saved at this point? (39)
Was
this man saved the same way as those on Pentecost? (Acts 2)
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What Doth Hinder Me...
to
be baptized?” (Acts 8:36). This
is what the Ethiopian asked after learning the gospel from Philip.
What a wonderful attitude he had! Let
us study his characteristics so that we can follow his excellent example:
1.
He was attempting to learn more about God.
He was reading from Isaiah the prophet when Philip asked him if he
understood what he was reading (30).
2.
He had an open mind. He was
willing to reason about the truth with a person (Philip) who seemed to be
knowledgeable in the scriptures (30-31).
3.
He depended on the scriptures as the basis for his authority.
Philip’s explanation of these scriptures fit the facts as the Ethiopian
knew them, and he accepted them as truth (32-35).
4.
Once he learned the truth, he wanted to immediately act on them.
Hence, the question that is the title of this article (36).
5.
He willingly confessed Jesus Christ as the Son of God (37).
6.
He gladly allowed himself to be baptized by Philip (38).
7.
He went on his way rejoicing because he knew he was saved and his sins
were forgiven (39).
In
compliance with the commands of Jesus, the Ethiopian man heard, believed,
repented of his sins, was willing to confess his belief, and was baptized for
the remission of his sins. In this
regard his conversion was identical to those on Pentecost.
It
is interesting that there was no “church sanction” for the baptism of the
Ethiopian. Philip was not
authorized to baptize by any church, he was authorized by Jesus Christ (Mt.
28:18f), as are all preachers of the gospel.
As
interesting, the Eunuch did not go to a place where there was a church.
However, he carried with him the seeds (the truth) by which more
Christians could be made and by which a church would therefore be formed in
Ethiopia. History tells us that
there were churches formed in this part of the world.
Although the scriptures are silent on this, it would seem reasonable that
they were the result of the truth preached by this new convert.
This would fit the model given by Paul (2 Tim. 2:2).
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“You can be baptized anytime
...”.
but
the Ethiopian asked (Acts 8:36):
“Behold, (here is) water, what
doth hinder me to be baptized?”
This
man, who was obviously a devout Jew, recognized that something was missing in
his obedience to God. It is clear
that he did not wish to delay this act of obedience for one second longer than
would be necessary. Philip
“preached unto him Jesus,” and this included the entire plan of salvation. The Ethiopian man obviously heard the truth, and he believed
what he heard. While the subject of
repentance is not mentioned in this case of conversion, it is clear that the
Ethiopian had an attitude of service to God that would motivate him to turn from
his sins. The fact that he was
penitent is evidenced by Philip’s response to him when he asked: “Here is
water, what doth hinder me to be baptized?”
Philip’s response was: “If thou believest with all they heart, thou
mayest.” The Ethiopian man
responded with the rock and foundation of the church (Mt. 16:18): “I believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Finally,
it is clear that the baptism (immersion) that they practiced here was water
baptism.
This
example is very explicit and simple. Can
we go wrong if we follow the example of obedience of these faithful men?
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