Learning About Baptism From A Blind Man It shall be our objective to reveal a Biblical truth frequently distorted by many groups in the religious world and outright denied by others.

INTRODUCTION Isaiah 1:18 – “Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” Our study for these sermons is entitled: “A Snake, A Captain, A Blind Man, & Baptism”. We shall proceed by examining each of the subject parts separately before establishing how in principle they are related.

A BLIND MAN The account of the blind man is found in John 9. Not only was he blind, but he had been since his birth. He had never had physical vision. He had never seen a sunrise... or a sunset. He had never seen the beautiful stars in the night sky,

A BLIND MAN Even though he lived in Jerusalem, he had never seen the beauties of the Jewish temple. He had never seen the faces of his parents or any of his brothers or sisters, if any. He had never seen a scroll on which was written God’s precious Word. As Jesus was passing by he observed the sightless condition of this man and stopped to do something about it. In so doing he declared Himself to be the “Light of the world” (John 9:5).

A BLIND MAN John 9:6-7 “When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.” The blind man had great faith to do exactly as Jesus had said. His physical blindness had not resulted in spiritual blindness.

A BLIND MAN In the great sermon on the mount, Jesus said – “Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Decades later James would write in James 2:24 – “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” Faith in God never calls a command of Jesus nonessential or unnecessary. Until the blind man did what Jesus told him to do, he remained without his sight and the healing that he desired.

A BLIND MAN Please observe: Jesus told him WHEN he would be healed. Jesus appointed a PLACE where he would be healed. When the blind man came to that TIME (WHEN HE WASHED THE CLAY FROM HIS EYES) and the PLACE (Pool of Siloam, he was HEALED.

A BLIND MAN “Was this clay or water salvation?” No! This was not water or clay salvation. Washing in the Pool of Siloam did not explain HOW the blind man received his sight but WHEN. Jesus used the clay and the water as instruments in testing the man’s faith.

A BLIND MAN Could Jesus have given this man sight right away? Could Jesus just speak the words and the man’s eyes be opened? Sure He could have, but there is a lesson that we are required to know. Salvation and blessings come AFTER obedience on our part.

CONCLUSION (Part three) Next, we will see how the story of the Blind Man can teach us lessons about baptism. Many in the religious world may be able to understand this lesson, But they fail to understand the parallel when it comes to baptism. We will see and learn the importance of baptism.