R298 Experience God Through Baptism

God has an encouraging word for you and me today, through the Bible-based preaching of Dr. Don Wilton, here on The Encouraging Word. We're headed to Acts chapter 8, as Dr. Wilton teaches us today, but know that we're available right now to pray with you at 866-899-WORD.

That's 866-899-9673. Now, Dr. Wilton. Experiencing God through baptism. Experiencing God through baptism. But I want you to know today, my friends, that baptism is far more than an ordinance.

It is something that Jesus Christ has commanded of his disciples. I remember when I first really became aware of baptism. I was just a little boy and we were in the small, tiny African kingdom of Basutu land. And there is a huge river that flows through Basutu land, and it's called the Caledon River. And I remember so well as a little boy, my father baptizing in this muddy, huge, big, strong flowing river called the Caledon River in Africa. And I remember it so well because they had to post several men downstream just in case Dad let go of any of the candidates.

And I will never forget that. My wife and I have had great joy and it's a wonderful thing to think of children, young people, older folks, to think of what God does. But baptism, my friend, is so much more than just a ritual or something that we observe.

Let's look at it together. I want you to turn with me in your Bibles to Acts chapter 8, the book of Acts in chapter 8. I'm going to read a marvelous passage of Scripture that describes for us how we experience God through believer's baptism. Please turn there with me, and if you don't have a Bible, get the copy.

It's wonderful to hear those pages rustling in our congregation. Verse 26 of Acts chapter 8, Now the angel of the LORD said to Philip, Go south to the road, the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The spirit told Philip, Go to that chariot and stay near it. Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. Do you understand what you are reading? Philip asked.

How can I? He said, Unless someone explains it to me. So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture from Isaiah 53 verses 7 through 8. He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth. The eunuch asked Philip, Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about himself or someone else? Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, Look, here is water.

Why shouldn't I be baptized? And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch, these two grown men, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but he went on his way rejoicing.

What a marvelous account of experiencing God through believers baptism. Now folks, by way of introduction this morning, there are seven things that I've noticed about this man called the Ethiopian eunuch that really identify him with all of us here today, men and women and boys and girls. Number one, he was an ordinary person just like we are. Bible says that he was a eunuch, that he was in charge of the treasury of Queen Candace. He was a man who had business dealings. He was someone who was about the daily chores of life. He was a person just like we are today. But I want you to note, secondly, that the Bible says that he was a very religious man.

I couldn't help noticing that. It's right there in verse 27. Look what the Bible says. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship. When I read that, I thought how much he was just like so many people are today in the United States of America. I'm going to suggest to you that there are very few people today who won't tell you that they are religious people. Most people in America today believe in God. And yet the Bible says, my friends, if we're going to ever experience God, there has got to be a deep understanding of the differences between knowing about God in our heads and having the Lord Jesus Christ living in our hearts. And I'm convinced that this was the experience of this Ethiopian man. Note in the third place that he encountered the Word of God. He encountered the Word of God.

The Bible says when Philip ran up to him, he found that this man was busy sitting on this chariot, writing this chariot, doing of all things, reading the Word of God. Now, one of my favorite organizations in America are called the Gideons. You can go almost anywhere today and you're going to find a Bible placed by the Gideons. Whether it's a motel, a prison, no matter where you are, you're going to find a copy of God's Word. And you know that there are literally thousands of people today who are coming into a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, simply because they are having an encounter with the Word of God. Isn't that precious? That's why we play such an emphasis on the preaching and teaching of the Word of God.

Why? Because this word doesn't contain the Word of God. It is the Word of God.

My father said to me many times, he said to me, son, any preaching that is void of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and the Word of God is not Christian preaching at all. This man had an encounter with God's precious Word. But then note in the fifth place, he had an encounter with the Son of God. He had an encounter with the Son of God.

I left out the fourth one. He had an encounter with the man of God. I knew you were listening this morning. He had an encounter with the man of God. First of all, with the Word of God, and then with the man of God.

Isn't that remarkable? That this man should have been tending to his business. And two dynamics begin to play together. On the one hand, the Word of God, and on the other hand, the man of God. And the Bible says that the angel of the Lord dispatched Philip on a particular mission. He commissioned him specifically as God's man, to go and to explain the Word of God unto this person. That's what happens in church every day, you know. God has called me to be the pastor teacher of this congregation. God has called our Sunday school teachers and our leaders and our spiritual leaders, our moms and dads. That's what experiencing God is all about. It is placing ourselves in a position where we can encounter the Word of God and can be taught by the men and women of God. But number five, he then encountered the Son of God.

It's right there in verse 35. The Bible says, then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture, and began to tell him the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, great British theologian and preacher, he put it like this. He said, every time I open the book, I make a beeline for the cross. You see what Charles Haddon Spurgeon was saying is what Philip was about in what he was doing with this Ethiopian. He was taking his religiosity and he was focusing that on the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to submit to you today, friend, that there is no one and there is nothing which supersedes the importance and the primacy of focusing everything that we have and everything that we are on the Son of the living God. But then notice in the sixth place, he was baptized by immersion.

How do we know that? Well, the Bible says from verse 36 through 39, that they came up to the water and both of these men who were grown men went down into the water where Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch. And when he had baptized him, they both came up out of the water. Now, you'd be interested to know something about that word baptism in the New Testament. In the Greek New Testament, which is the original language, the word is baptizo and baptizo literally means baptism by immersion, by placing the individual as we saw this morning under the water.

Now, I'm going to explain that to you in a moment. And then number seven, number seven, the Bible says he went on his way rejoicing. What a tremendous complete picture of a person's salvation experience. He was an ordinary person, a sinner, condemned to die. He was a religious person. He encountered the Word of God. He encountered the man of God. Then he had a confrontation with a son of God. And as a consequence of that, he was baptized by immersion. And having been baptized, the Bible said his life was filled with joy. Now, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, there are many questions that we could ask about believers' baptism, aren't they? And I'm going to do my best this morning to try and answer some of those questions. In fact, I'm going to say to you that there are probably, I'm sure there are others, but there are probably six major questions that people ask with regard to believers' baptism.

Here they are. Number one, why must I be baptized? I wouldn't be surprised if there's someone here today saying, Pastor, I love the Lord Jesus Christ. Why must I be baptized? What's the necessity?

What's the compulsion? Why do you place such an emphasis on baptism by immersion? There are four reasons why every believer ought to be baptized.

Here they are. Number one, because the Bible teaches it. You can go right throughout the New Testament and we're going to look at about 10 different passages of scripture this morning. And you're going to discover, not only in the passage that I've just read, but in others, that the Bible consistently teaches believers' baptism by immersion. The Bible teaches it. As somebody said to me one time, if the Bible says it, that settles it, that's good enough for me. Do I believe the Bible?

Yes or no? I believe the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation. Every single word is the Word of God. And in this book, the Word of the living God, the Bible teaches that as a born again believer, I must be baptized. But number two, I must be baptized because Jesus commands it.

Jesus commands it. If you turn with me and I'd like you all to turn there to Matthew, Matthew chapter 28, the final book of Matthew, Matthew's gospel. Turn to Matthew chapter 28 and verse 19.

Listen to what the Bible says. A critical, critical passage of scripture. Matthew chapter 28 and verse 19.

Let's go back to verse 18. Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority is given in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations.

Doing what? Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them, here is a very key and critical rider to this statement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having baptized them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost, you are teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.

Why must I be baptized? Number one, the Bible teaches it. Number two, Jesus commands it. But number three, Jesus demonstrated it.

Jesus demonstrated it. Turn back with me to Matthew chapter three. Matthew chapter three. Go back to Matthew chapter three.

Now the Bible says, and we're going to be looking at this in experiencing God tonight in one of the areas. The Bible says that God fashioned Jesus Christ to become man. Now when Jesus became man, what happened to him? He had to go through everything that God requires of man.

The pain, the suffering, the joy, the commandments, the obediences, the goings and the comings. Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God became fully man even though he was fully God. Do you really think that Jesus needed to be baptized by John the Baptist? Jesus?

Well, let's read what happened. Matthew chapter three verse 13. And Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. You know, every time I read about the Jordan River, I think of that Caledon River in Africa that I stood by as a little boy watching people being baptized. But John tried to deter him saying, I need to be baptized by you, Lord.

And do you come to me? But listen what Jesus says in verse 15. Jesus replied, let it be so now. It is proper for us to do this in order to fulfill all righteousness. What is the completion of righteousness? The completion of righteousness, my friend, is the absolute completeness of all that Jesus Christ did in obedience to the Father. And so when you and I come into a relationship with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ has publicly demonstrated what every person must do who comes into a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Then John consented.

But note what happened here. As soon as Jesus was baptized, here it is again, he went up out of the water. He went into the water and under the water was baptized, came up out of the water. Why should I be baptized, Pastor? Number one, the Bible teaches it. Number two, Jesus commands it. Number three, Jesus demonstrates it. But number four, the Holy Spirit compels it. Turn with me to the book of Acts in chapter 10.

Love to hear those pages rustling. Don't get lazy and say, I'm just going to listen. Turn to Acts chapter 10. Listen to what the Bible says. Now I want to just say to you before we read this passage, in Matthew chapter 28 and Acts chapter one, Jesus said to his disciples, he said, I'm going to leave you, but I'm promising you that the Spirit of God is going to come down upon you. That was the promise of the Holy Spirit. When was the inauguration of the Holy Spirit? That took place in Acts chapter two at what is called Pentecost. And at Pentecost, the Spirit of God, as was promised by the Lord Jesus Christ, was inaugurated and inaugurated and commenced and fulfilled the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so here at the institution of the New Testament church, Peter finds himself at Cornelius's house and at Cornelius's house, these people began to experience the coming and the inauguration of the Spirit of the living God.

Look what happens. Let's go down into verse 47 of Acts chapter 10. Then Peter said, can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.

So he ordered, boy, that's a tough word, isn't it? So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. You see, friend, the Holy Spirit compels our obedience to the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why must I be baptized? That's the first question. Second question, perhaps, who must be baptized?

Well, I'll be a lot quicker on this one. The Bible says only believers can be baptized. It is believers' baptism. Turn with me to Acts chapter nine. We read Acts chapter eight in a moment. Let's read about the greatest missionary apostle, preacher, minister that I believe ever lived. Let's look at Paul's life. As Saul of Tarsus in Acts chapter nine, he encountered the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. I don't believe that Saul was converted, that he found Jesus on the road to Damascus. I believe that Saul was actually converted when he went just a little bit later to the home of Ananias. Now let's read what happened in verse 17 of Acts chapter nine. Then Ananias went to the house and he entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, "'who appeared to you on the road to Damascus "'as you were coming here, has sent me.'" Remember what happened with Philip in the Ethiopian eunuch? Isn't it amazing how God uses people, huh? Isn't it amazing? We've seen that all over this congregation.

Moms and dads and grandparents, listen to what it says. The Spirit of God, the Lord Jesus Christ has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. What happened? Immediately. Folks, salvation is immediate. You don't have to wait to be saved. The Bible says immediately, something like scales fell from Paul's eyes and he could see again.

What did he do? He got up and he was baptized. And after taking some food, he began to receive his strength. Who must be baptized? Believers, folks. Bible teaches believers baptism. Now, many times in the church, you're going to find someone coming down the aisle.

I was one of those people. Very young age or some other time they hadn't experienced, they made a decision for Jesus. Maybe it was an emotional decision, swept along with the crowd, came down in front of the church and were baptized. And sometime later, months or years later, they have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. And they come and they say, Pastor, I have given my life to Jesus Christ. I need to be baptized as a believer. They not getting baptized again. You see their first baptism was nothing more than taking a swim, if you please. Believers baptism is the emphasis of the New Testament. It is the command. You don't get baptized in order to go to heaven.

You get baptized because you are going to heaven. Please forgive the interruption. We'll be back with the rest of today's message with Dr. Wilton in just a moment. But if you've missed portions of today's program or others in this series, you need to know that it's all available on our website. TEWonline.org is the place to find not only today's message, even in video form, but you'll see a number of resources from Dr. Wilton, including the brand new book about Dr. Billy Graham.

Again, details at TEWonline.org. Now let's dive back into today's great teaching with Dr. Don Wilton. You don't get baptized in order to be saved. You get baptized because you are saved.

Now I know that I'm splitting hairs and please don't be nervous to talk to me. But many times I'll say to a person, are you a Christian? They'll say to me, pastor, yes, I've been baptized. Being baptized can never make you a Christian. Baptism does not give you salvation. Only being repentant of your sin and by faith, being washed and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb can have your name written in the Lamb's book of life. You are baptized not in order to go to heaven, but because you are going to heaven.

Isn't that wonderful? Who needs to be baptized? Who must be? Believers only. Number three, when must I be baptized? Ha ha ha, that's a good question, isn't it? Well, when should I get baptized?

Well, if we go back and we look at all these great people, the Apostle Paul, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Ethiopian eunuch, if we see what happened in Acts chapter 10, if we look at the Philippian jailer, we can go on and on and on throughout scripture. You are baptized after you are converted. And you say to me, well, when exactly after? The Bible says, friends, that there are many people who are baptized immediately, they are saved. You can be baptized immediately.

But you know, folks, there's some children that their parents believe and I support that they need to wait a little while. When should you be baptized? After you are converted. Question number four, how old must I be? How old must I be? Here's how old you must be in order to be baptized.

Old enough to have trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. I can show you people at the youngest of age who have given their lives to Jesus and have been baptized. The issue, my friend, is if you are old enough to understand the truth about Jesus Christ that you are lost and destined for an eternal destiny separated from him, you are old enough not only to give your heart to Jesus, but then you're old enough to follow him obediently through the waters of baptism. Question number five, what is the meaning then of my baptism? Let me give to you a definition of believers' baptism. Baptism by immersion signals my obedience to God's commands and publicly identifies me with all that Jesus did for me on the cross. Baptism by immersion signals my obedience to God's commands and publicly identifies me with all that Jesus did for me upon the cross. You see, friend, when you stand in that water of baptism and I take you and I place you under the water, it is symbolically identifying you with what Jesus did upon the cross, where he died and he was taken and put under the water. He was put in the grave, he died completely, he didn't swoon, he didn't go to sleep. Jesus Christ, the Son of God became death, he became sin for us even though he knew no sin. But did Jesus stay in that tomb?

No, sir. The final question, will I still go to heaven even though I'm not baptized? That's a good question, isn't it, folks? Here's what the Bible says. Absolutely yes, you will go to heaven. The thief on the cross went to heaven even though he wasn't baptized.

There was no doubt about it. There are two reasons why there is not one believer who can ever stand before God and say, I just didn't want to get baptized. Number one, because of your obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. God orders you to be baptized. But there's a second reason why you must be baptized. Even though if you die without being baptized, you will go to heaven. Because of your personal testament, that's why. You see, the Bible says, my friend, that that is the place of your public confession of faith. You see, friend, when you follow Jesus through the waters of baptism, you know what happens? You complete the process. What powerful teaching from Dr. Wilton.

Great insight and understanding, but perhaps it's not about finishing the process or completing the process. You need to begin the process. You need to take that step today to give your life to Jesus Christ.

If you want to know how to do that, stay with us, because Dr. Don Wilton's gonna share that next. Are you ready to give your heart and life to the Lord Jesus Christ? Why don't you pray this prayer with me right now? Dear God, I know that I'm a sinner, and I know that Jesus died for me on the cross. Today, I repent of my sin, and by faith, I receive you into my heart. In Jesus' name. My friend, I welcome you today into the family of God.

This is exciting news. If you just gave your life to Christ, Dr. Wilton wants to know about it. Once you call us, 866-899, word is the number. We also have free resources for you.

You need to call, 866-899-9673, or visit us online for great resources like this. On our new website, you can reserve a copy of Dr. Wilton's brand new book, Saturdays with Billy. In Saturdays with Billy, Pastor Don shares heartwarming stories of his times with Mr. Graham. Just as Billy's words changed Don's life, they can change our lives today. A testament to a man who leaned on God's grace into eternity. Discover their powerful friendship at TEWOnline.org. Join us next time for The Encouraging Word with Dr. Don Wilton.