Confession of our belief in Jesus as the Christ and Son of God.

Acts 8:36-38

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

“Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Acts 8:36

Within the heart and mind of the eunuch, he believed that he needed to be baptized in water to be living correctly with God and Jesus Christ. What would happen in times of severe drought when water is hard to find? Would that mean that Salvation is called off until the drought ends? Of course not! In Ohio, and all around the United States, the summer heat brings water shortages. In those times of drought, city government calls for the end of unnecessary water usage, such as washing cars, watering the lawn, filling play pools, and even filling baptism tubs. Even so, we can still come to Jesus Christ during draughts.

in “the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 3:20-21

There is no verse in the Bible that says, whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life except in times of drought.

“Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” Acts 8:37-38

Philip said that if the eunuch believed in his heart he could be baptized, and the eunuch verbally confessed that he believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Philip knew the truth of what the Holy Spirit spoke in this verse, “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 The eunuch received Salvation before he ever stepped foot into the water. As John the Baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:16

Water baptism is an outward appearance that says to those around, “I believe in God, I acknowledge Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I embrace the presence of the Holy Spirit.” The baptism of the Holy Spirit is an inward presence that begins the sanctification/washing of our spirit and attitudes. This process of sanctification is the work of Holiness within us.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1