1. Conversion of the Eunuch
Acts 8:26-40
Conversion of the Eunuch
Philip was sent to the Eunuch (vv )
Philip preached Christ unto him (vv )
The Eunuch asked to be baptized (v. 36)
36 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?"
Philip asked if he believed (v. 37)
The Eunuch was baptized (v. 38)

2. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water
36 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?"
Thayer: “kooluoo; to hinder, to prevent, to forbid Acts 8:36”
Translated: “forbid” (Mt. 19:14; Acts 10:47)
Translated: “withstand” (Acts 11:17)
Hinder: “to cause delay, interruption, or difficulty in; hamper; impede: 2. to prevent from doing, acting, or happening; stop.”
Hindrance: Something that stands in the way that keeps you from doing something

3. Perhaps Something is Hindering You
(Stands Between)

4. What Hinders You?

5. Things That People Let Hinder
What Hinders You?
Things That People Let Hinder

6. Things That People Let Hinder
Some Sin Don’t Want to Stop

7. Some Sin Don’t Want to Stop
Repentance is to precede baptism (Acts 2:38)
Repentance involves a change – stop the sin
“This change of mind involves both a turning from sin and turning to God” (Vines)
Fruits of repentance (Matt. 3:8)
Compare: What Matt. 12:41 calls “repentance” Jonah 3:10 calls it “turning from evil”
When no change – no repentance (Rev. 9:20-21)
May not be ready to quit:
Drinking / drugs
Fornication / adultery
Lying / Dishonesty
Cursing / Rebellion

8. Things That People Let Hinder
Some Sin Don’t Want to Stop
Think Don’t Know Enough

9. Think Don’t Know Enough
Think since still have much to learn about the Bible – not ready to be baptized
Many were baptized after hearing one sermon
Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2)
Simon & Samaritans (Acts 8)
The Eunuch (Acts 8)
Saul (Acts 9; 22:16)
Cornelius (Acts 10)
Lydia (Acts 16)
Jailer (Acts 16)
Corinthians (Acts 18)
Chances are – you know more now than many of these did when they obeyed!

10. Things That People Let Hinder
Some Sin Don’t Want to Stop
Think Don’t Know Enough
Think Can’t Live Up to It

11. Think Can’t Live Up to It
View of Christian life = perfection (know I will sin again –so can’t do it)
Christian will sin (1 John 1:8-10)
Not to condone or justify
Fact is – will sin
Will need forgiveness (vv. 7, 9)
Difference in sinning - & practice of sin (3:6-9)
Can live the Christian life
If not, God is expecting the impossible (Rev. 2:10)
Can do anything God expects (Phil. 4:13)
Can be faithful, well pleasing (Col. 1:2, 10)

12. Things That People Let Hinder
Some Sin Don’t Want to Stop
Think Don’t Know Enough
Think Can’t Live Up to It
Think Have to be Perfect

13. Think Have to be Perfect
Think have to become “perfect” or “good” before worthy to become a Christian
Reason need to be a Christian – far from perfect – sinner
All have sinned – Rom. 3:9, 23; Matt. 9:13)
Become a sinner – at point of accountability (Rom. 7:9)
Baptism is for remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16)
Some of the 3,000 were murderers (Acts 2:23)
Some of the Corinthians were homosexuals (1 Cor. 6:9-11)
If one could become “perfect” or “right” before baptism – no need for baptism or repentance!
If you are waiting until you are good enough – never will be baptized!

14. Things That People Let Hinder
Some Sin Don’t Want to Stop
Think Don’t Know Enough
Think Can’t Live Up to It
Think Have to be Perfect
Don’t Understand What To Do

15. Don’t Understand What To Do
May know the conditions, but not understand what each means
May not understand:
Repentance – [Change of mind – lead to change of life]
Confession – [Acknowledgement of faith] (Rom. 10:9-10)
Difference in understanding and:
Knowing where all the verses are
Being able to explain in great detail
Eunuch understood enough to obey – when heard the message one time (Acts 8)

16. Things That People Let Hinder
Some Sin Don’t Want to Stop
Think Don’t Know Enough
Think Can’t Live Up to It
Think Have to be Perfect
Don’t Understand What To Do
Waiting For a Better Time – When Easier

17. Waiting For a Better Time – When Easier
May think it will be easier to do at later time
Another day may not be so hard
When reach another phase of life – may not be as challenging
When temptations are not as strong
No better time than now!
Yesterday – is past
Tomorrow – may not come (Jas. 4:13-14)
Today is all you have for sure (Heb. 3:7)
Another time – may not be easier – but harder (Heb. 3:7)

18. Things That People Let Hinder
Some Sin Don’t Want to Stop
Think Don’t Know Enough
Think Can’t Live Up to It
Think Have to be Perfect
Don’t Understand What To Do
Waiting For a Better Time – When Easier
Hypocrisy of Others

19. Hypocrisy of Others
Discouraged from being a Christian – some are hypocrites
It does affect others (Rom. 2:23)
Assumes that all are hypocrites
All are not hypocrites
Some were liars – but not all (Acts 5:1-11)
Some were fornicators – but not all (1 Cor. 5:1-13)
Does not excuse you from responsibility
Does the fact that some believers are hypocrites, mean you don’t have to believe (John 8:24)?
How will that work in judgment (2 Cor. 5:10)?
You will not be judged by the actions of others – but your own (Rom. 2:6)

20. Things That People Let Hinder
Some Sin Don’t Want to Stop
Think Don’t Know Enough
Think Can’t Live Up to It
Think Have to be Perfect
Don’t Understand What To Do
Waiting For a Better Time – When Easier
Hypocrisy of Others
Waiting Until No One Urging Them

21. Waiting Until No One Urging Them
Determined not to change – as long as someone is suggesting that need to
Every time someone urges them – more determined not to
If ever do make move – it will be on their own
Seems to confuse encouragement & freedom of choice
We are to persuade others (2 Cor. 5:11)
Obedience is a personal choice (Acts 2:40-41)
There will always be those persuading you
Will be people who care about you – want you to be saved
If waiting until no one is urging you – time will never come

22. Things That People Let Hinder When There is Nothing Hindering
What Hinders You?
Things That People Let Hinder
When There is Nothing Hindering

23. When There is Nothing Hindering
When See the Need

24. When See the Need See there is SIN in your life
Baptism is for remission of sins (Acts 2:38)
Sin enters our life – when become accountable (Rom. 7:9)
Sin separates from God (Isa. 59:1-2; Rom. 5:12)
Lost now and will be eternally
Can’t go to heaven (John 8:21; 1 Cor. 6:9-11)
Will go to hell (Rev. 21:8; Rom. 6:23)
Is there sin in your life?
Old enough to sin – to violate the law of God?
Know of sin in your life?

25. When There is Nothing Hindering
When See the Need
When Understand About Jesus

26. When Understand About Jesus
Born of a virgin (Matt. 1:23)
Lived sinless (Heb. 4:15)
Son of God (Rom. 1:4)
Died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
Raised from dead (Acts 2:24, 32)

27. When There is Nothing Hindering
When See the Need
When Understand About Jesus
When Understand the Conditions

28. When Understand the Conditions
Believe in Christ (John 8:24)
Repent of past sin (Acts 2:38)
Confess that I believe (Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 8:37)
Be Baptized in water (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)

29. When There is Nothing Hindering
When See the Need
When Understand About Jesus
When Understand the Conditions
When Perceive the Danger

30. When Perceive the Danger
Christ could return (Matt. 24:34ff; 1 Thess. 5:1-2)
You could die (Heb. 9:27)

31. When There is Nothing Hindering
When See the Need
When Understand About Jesus
When Understand the Conditions
When Perceive the Danger
When Believe

32. When Believe Baptism is for the believer (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36)
Do you believe?
Believe in Jesus (John 8:24)?
Believe that he is the Son of God (Acts 8:37)?

33. When There is Nothing Hindering
When See the Need
When Understand About Jesus
When Understand the Conditions
When Perceive the Danger
When Believe
When Repent

34. When Repent Baptism is for those who repent (Acts 2:38)
Repentance defined:
Prompted by godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10)
Is a change of mind
Results in change of life (Rom. 6)
Have you repented?
Sorry for your sin because it is against God?
Have you changed your mind?
Are you ready to make a change in life?

35. Things That People Let Hinder When There is Nothing Hindering
What Hinders You?
Things That People Let Hinder
When There is Nothing Hindering