Meanwhile, as Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard
where Jesus was being held,
a servant girl came over and said to him
"You were one of those with Jesus!"
But Peter denied it in front of everyone,
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Later, another servant girl noticed him and said,
"This man was with Jesus."
Again Peter denied it,
"I don't even know the man."
A little later, some other bystanders came over and said,
"You must be one of them!"
"I dont know the man!"
Peter said to them.
And immediately the rooster crowed.
Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind
"Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."
And Peter went away, crying bitterly.
THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteWhy was the Ethiopian eunuch so concerned about being baptized in water?
1. Did the eunuch want to be baptized so he could join the the 1st Church of Philip?
2. Did the eunuch want to be baptized as a testimony of his faith?
3. Did he want be baptized because Jesus commanded it and he wanted to be obedient?
4. Was he in a hurry to be baptized because he realized that water baptism had nothing to do with the forgiveness of his sins?
5. Did the eunuch want to be baptized because his sins were already forgiven?
6. Did he want be baptized to demonstrate that he was saved before he was baptized?
The answer is NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, and NO.
The Ethiopian was in a hurry to be baptized because:
1. He wanted his sins forgiven. (Acts 2:38)
2. He wanted his transgressions forgiven. (Colossians 2:13)
3. He wanted to be saved. (1 Peter 3:21)
4. He wanted to be baptized into Christ. (Romans 6:3)
5. He wanted to walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)
6. He wanted his body of sin done away with. (Romans 6.6)
7. He wanted wanted to live with Christ. ( Romans 6:8)
8. He wanted to be saved. (Mark 16:16)
9. He wanted wanted to be clothed with Christ. (Galatians 3:27)
10. He wanted to have his sins washed away. (Acts 22:16)
11. He wanted to be saved. (Titus 3:5)
12. He wanted to enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
13. He wanted the Lord to add him to His church. (Acts 2 :41,47)
14. He wanted to be sanctified. (Ephesians 5:26)
15. He wanted to be blameless and holy. (Ephesians 5:27)
16. He wanted to be free of spots and wrinkles.(Ephesians 5:27)
17. He wanted to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
THE CONVERSION OF THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH (Acts 8:26-38)
Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch.
The first question the eunuch ask was "What prevents me from being baptized?"
Philip said Acts 2:37 [... "If you believe with all your heart you may." And he answered and said , I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."]
When Philip preach Jesus to the eunuch he must have told him what Jesus said in Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH WAS SAVED ON THE ROAD FROM JERUSALEM TO GAZA; BUT ONLY AFTER HE BELIEVED AND WAS BAPTIZED!
NOTE: In the New Testament Scriptures there is not one single account of anyone denying water baptism as being essential for the forgiveness of sins. Not one mention of anyone saying I was saved before I was baptized. Not one person stated they were saved before baptism, but were baptized so they could join the local church. Not one individual said I was baptized as a testimony of my faith, but it had nothing to do with my salvation. WHY DO YOU NOT READ ABOUT THESE THINGS HAPPENING IN THE 1ST CENTURY CHURCH? WHY? BECAUSE THESE ARE ALL MAN-MADE TRADITIONS THAT ORIGINATED MUCH LATER. (SEE MY APRIL 17 POST---"THE PRICE OF TRADITION')
(All Scripture quotes from: NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE)
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