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And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there
was much water there; and they were coming and were being baptized.
(NASB) John 3:23 |
Again we see a requirement for "much water." If a water jug was
all that was required for sprinkling why did John need "much water?"
Our next passage is found in Acts,
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And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture
he preached Jesus to him And as they went along the road they
came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents
me from being baptized?" And Philip said, "If you believe with
all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." And he ordered the chariot
to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him. (NASB) Acts
8:35-38 |
This passage is special. This is the story of the eunuch and Philip.
Philip has just explained to the eunuch who Jesus was. The eunuch
responds wanting to be baptized. He sees water at a distance and
says, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?" Notice
Philips' response. "If you believe with all your heart, you may."
This is the response of one who is a true Christian. They believe
in Jesus with their WHOLE heart. They trust in Jesus with their
WHOLE heart for forgiveness of their sins. Are you trusting in
Jesus with your WHOLE heart? The eunuch says. "Yes" and Philip
responds by baptizing the eunuch. Now notice they both go down
into the water. Why go down into the water at get wet if all you
need to do is reach down, "cup some water in your hands" and drop
it over the eunuch's head?
Conclusion: We have seen that baptism is immersion into water. We have also
seen from scripture that baptism occurred after one confessed
their sins and believed in Jesus with their WHOLE heart. Even
the demons believe in Jesus (James 2:19) but they refuse to trust
in Jesus. All we need to so is trust in Jesus with ALL of our
of heart. That is all! |
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