“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” | Acts 8: 35-37

Baptism is for everyone who believes the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:” (1 Corinthians 15: 3-5)

Philip asked the eunuch one question when he requested to be baptized. “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.”

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Thessalonians 5: 9)

He answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

“And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,” (Ephesians 1: 19-20)

You know the rest of the story, Philip baptized the eunuch and “he went on his way rejoicing.”

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” (Matthew 16: 21)

Baptism is for believers, it is their public confession of faith in Him.

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 3: 21)

Peter says it is an “answer of a good conscience toward God”.

“Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:” (Acts 2: 23)

Baptism is identification with the Lord in His appointed and sacrificial death, in His appointed burial and in His appointed resurrection from the dead.

“And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” (Acts 13: 48)

We only believe the gospel by the Lord’s appointed power and grace.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2: 8-9)

Believers are not baptized to be saved; they are baptized because they have been saved by the Lord’s grace.

“For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9: 26)

Believers are not baptized to put away our sin, they are baptized because Christ has already put away their sin by His sacrifice unto death.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

Believers are not baptized to be regenerated or sanctified, they are baptized because they have already been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and made new creatures in Christ. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” (Ephesians 2: 1-4)

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” (2 Timothy 1: 9)

Believing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is a powerful miracle of the Lord’s mighty and sovereign grace.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1: 16)

Those who are brought to Christ in saving faith are not ashamed to own, submit and identify with Him, His gospel and His people.

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1: 12)

It is always the believer’s delight and joy to obey the Lord in believer’s baptism.

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16: 16)

While it is not essential to salvation, it is essential to our obedience to the Lord who commanded every believer to be baptized.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “The Gospel Question” (36:59 minutes)

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 20 July, 2025 | Previous post date: n/a