Why Stop the Chariot? Acts 8:38

If what men say is true, there is no need to stop the chariot: “As long as you are good, honest and sincere, you will be saved!” We must obey! Hebrews 5:9 Paul, Acts 26:9, 1 Timothy 1:12-13

If what men say is true, there is no need to stop the chariot “As long as you are ‘spiritual’ you are fine.” An appeal to just thinking religion will make you acceptable. Ambiguous about who God is We need Jesus! John 14:6, Acts 4:12 1 John 2:3-4, 5:3 – we must keep His commandments

If what men say is true, there is no need to stop the chariot “The Bible is just a guide” Today, the Bible is rejected as inspired and authoritative. Anything goes! The Bible IS God’s word! 2 Peter 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Corinthians 14:33

If what men say is true, there is no need to stop the chariot “We are saved by faith alone” We ARE saved by faith, Ephesians 2:8-9 NOWHERE, do we read we are saved by faith alone! James 2:24 (cf. vs. 19) Hebrews 11, examples

If what men say is true, there is no need to stop the chariot “Just say the sinner’s prayer” Nota single instance in scripture of prayer as the medium of salvation. Paul, prayed after the road to Damascus but still needed to respond – Acts 9:9-11, 17-18, 22:16 What about Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13? Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Again, Acts 22:16

If what men say is true, there is no need to stop the chariot “You can wait to be baptized later” 1 Peter 3:20-21, Acts 22:16, 16:33 The eunuch didn’t want to wait!

If what men say is true, there is no need to stop the chariot “Sprinkling or pouring is fine” Baptism is immersion! The word, βαπτίζω, (baptize) - to plunge, dip, wash (BDAG) Submerged, flooded, overwhelmed (M&M) Dip, plunge – (L&S) Romans 6:3-4, Acts 8:38

Why you need to stop the chariot Because life is uncertain! James 4:14 Psalm 39:4-5, 90:10-12 James 1:9-10, as the flower of the field he will pass away

Why you need to stop the chariot Because you are going to spend eternity somewhere Matthew 25:46 John 5:28-29, a resurrection of life and of condemnation Matthew 16:26

Why you need to stop the chariot Because a day of judgment is coming and will determine where you spend eternity Hebrews 9:27 Acts 17:31 Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Why you need to stop the chariot Because you must obey the gospel to be saved! 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 Hebrews 5:9

YOU are the one who must stop the chariot! Notice who stopped it Acts 8:36-38 Obeying the gospel is YOUR choice! Others can teach and influence you, but ultimately, it is your choice!

WHEN should you stop the chariot? As soon as the eunuch heard, he wanted to be baptized. NO wait! Acts 8:34-36 NOW! 2 Corinthians 6:2 Acts 22:16

Have YOU turned your chariot around? Once we obey the gospel, we must remain faithful! We must stay on the “strait and narrow” You are a new creation 2 Corinthians 5:17

Have YOU turned your chariot around? Sometimes Christians return to the world Luke 8:14, Hebrews 2:1 Matthew 7:13-14, 1 Corinthian 9:24-27

Have YOU turned your chariot around? IF so, we need to stop it again! Don’t listen to the reasoning of men! Stop it for the same reasons you did in the first place! 2 Peter 2:20-22

Have YOU turned your chariot around? IF so, we need to stop it again! YOU need to stop it again! Acts 8:22, 1 John 1:9 You need to stop it NOW! Romans 12:1-2

Where is your chariot headed?