The Response To Preaching Jesus 

In the eighth chapter of Acts we have two occasions where Jesus was preached. Acts 8: 5 says: “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.” In verse 35 this same Philip preached to a man of Ethiopia: “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” What was the response in both cases? Of the Samaritans it is said: “When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (v. 12). When the Ethiopian eunuch heard Jesus preached, he asked: “What doth hinder me to be baptized?” (v. 36). Upon the confession of his faith in Jesus Christ he was baptized (vs. 37-39). In both instances the response was the same. Both the Samaritans, and the Ethiopian eunuch, when they believed, were baptized. Remember that Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16: 16).

Have you ever wondered, when Jesus was preached, and people believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God they were told to be baptized? Since, in the Bible, when Jesus is preached, people who believed were baptized, why is it, that today people are told that all they have to do to be saved is believe, and they don’t have to be baptized? If you preach “Jesus,” or “preach Christ,” or “preach the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” you will preach that people must be baptized. The reason this is true is because Jesus said so (Mk. 16: 16). Remember that Jesus asked: “And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Lk. 6: 46). Have you been baptized? Please read carefully Acts 2: 38; 22: 16; 18:8; 1 Pet. 3: 21. Think on these things.

Dennis Abernathy