Jess Whitlock
We have the case of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch recorded in Acts 8:29-38. Let us study this account of conversion in relation to the subject of New Testament baptism. Ask yourself one question: “Why Stop the Chariot?”
Many folks believe that all that is necessary in order to obtain salvation is to believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as your personal Savior. In the blank space we have listed every Scripture reference that teaches this doctrine: ____________! If the eunuch only needed to believe and accept Jesus as his personal Savior then, why stop the chariot?
There are numerous religious groups that advocate if you will say the “Sinner’s Prayer” then you will have salvation at that moment in time. We will list every Scripture passage that will give you the formula for that prayer: __________! An honest quote:
Should it concern us that the Bible never calls us to ask Jesus into our hearts? Should it concern us that the Bible never mentions a superstitious sinner’s prayer? Yet, that is exactly what we have sold to so many as salvation (David Platt, former President of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board).
If the eunuch only needed to repeat the “Sinner’s Prayer” then it behooves us to ask, why stop the chariot?
The doctrine that insists men can be saved by “faith only” is generally accepted by most man-made denominations of our day. Let’s list every single passage of Scripture that states in express terms: “faith only.” “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” (Jam. 2:24). That did not quite work out did it? Something went wrong, it seems that a man cannot be saved by faith only or faith alone after all. If it would work then we ask: Why stop the chariot?
Many religions advocate that some form of baptism is necessary. The Scripture definitely teaches that faith (Mark 16:16; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:6), repentance (Luke 13:3-5; Acts 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9), the good confession (Matt. 10:32-33; Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10), and baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:4; Gal. 3:26-27); are essential to obtain salvation.
Yet, some have been convinced that you can sprinkle or pour a little water on someone and call it “baptism.” Let us now list every Scripture reference or example of where someone was “baptized” by either sprinkling or by pouring water, and obtained salvation from God: _____________!
The late Marshall Keeble told of a debate that happened years ago. A brother in Christ guided the discussion to Acts chapter 8 and the Ethiopian eunuch. The argument commenced where “…both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water…” (Acts 8:37-38). The denominational preacher argued that actually the eunuch had a jug of water in his chariot, and that a little water was poured out on the eunuch by Philip. In rebuttal our brother read a few verses again with a change in the actual wording of the text: “…they came to some jug. And the eunuch said, ‘See here is some jug. What hinders me from being poured? … Philip and the eunuch went down into the jug, and he poured him. Now when they came up out of the jug…” (Acts 8: 36, 38-39).IF the eunuch only needed some water poured or sprinkled on him that day, Why stop the chariot? IF baptism in water is not essential in order to obtain salvation from sins, Why stop the chariot?
