We are told today that we need to “preach Jesus.” With that sentiment I surely am in agreement. But that leads to a question: “What does it mean, or what is involved in preaching Jesus? In Acts chapter eight we find two occasions where Jesus was preached. One account involved the Samaritans, and the other involved the Ethiopian eunuch. In chapter 8 and verse 5 it says: “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.” We see the result of his preaching in verse 12: “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” Philip’s preaching resulted in their being baptized. The fact that Philip’s preaching resulted in their being baptized implies that as he preached Christ (v. 5), he must have taught them to be baptized. Thus, preaching Christ includes preaching the need for baptism. The Samaritans faith led them to do what Christ said to do for the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38).

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The other account is in 8:35, involving the Ethiopian eunuch, which says: “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at the same Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” Verse 36 says: “They came unto a certain water. And the eunuch said, See, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized?” Upon the confession of his faith in Jesus (v. 37) “They went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (V. 38). Once again it is evident that preaching Jesus includes preaching baptism. One cannot preach Jesus without preaching what Jesus said to do in order to be saved. (Mk. 16:15-16).

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On both occasions where Jesus was preached the response was the same. Both the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch were baptized. Sine many tell us that baptism has nothing to do with salvation from sin, have you wondered that when Jesus is preached people were told to be baptized? Think on these things.

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Dennis Abernathy