WHAT IT TAKES TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN
“I’m Jewish,” my neighbor would tell people
when they tried to evangelize him. Not
being a Christian, he had no scruples against lying. It was his way of telling people he was not
interested in a religious discussion.
Whether people believed him or not (which was difficult to do, since he
had blond hair with a kind of reddish tint), they left him alone. Later, his attitude changed; he studied and
obeyed the gospel.
The first ingredient in leading a person
to Christ is to find someone who is somewhat open. Most people begin with a casual or mild
interest, and that curiosity may be developed.
This article will consider a Biblical conversion of a man in the
Bible. We often approach evangelism from
the aspect of it being our responsibility to reach people, which is true. In this instance, however, we want to notice
the five qualities that this particular person possessed that made it easy for
him to become a Christian.
He
possessed an interest in spiritual matters.
Now
an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south,
along the road that goes from
His interest is seen in two ways: 1) He
had been to
Many people have zero interest today. Their possessions, creature comforts,
entertainment, and self-satisfaction are the gods before whom they kneel. They may say anything to put off religious inquiries—even,
“I’m Jewish,” but these are just “polite” ways of saying, “I’m not
interested.” This attitude does not mean
that further attempts to engage in a meaningful discussion should not be tried, but it
is difficult to lead someone where he has no intention of following. The blessings of heaven hold no interest to
anyone who is satisfied in the here and now.
The queen’s treasurer knew that something greater
than man existed and something better than this life. He knew that man had a Maker and that the
design exhibited in the Creation demanded a Designer. What he did not know was that Jesus is the
Son of God.
He
possessed humility.
Then
the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot. So Philip ran to
him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand
what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, un-less
someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him (Acts
. As the treasurer of the queen, this man
might have been offended that someone of his station was asked such a
question. He might have replied, “Do you
know who I am? How dare you question my
knowledge?” One must admit that meeting
a total stranger in a desert region who wants to have a religious discussion is
a trifle unusual.
His openness is refreshing. So many today affirm, “I have my own
religion, and I don’t want to discuss it.”
Perhaps the eunuch could have legitimately said, “I’m Jewish.” It is possible that he had been captured or
even was born or sold into slavery and was serving the queen the way Daniel had
served Nebuchadnezzar. Others are
quick to let someone know; “You’re not going to change my mind.” Those who make such statements need to be
confronted with, “Name one person of God who ever made such a statement.” Christians are told to be able to defend
their beliefs (1 Peter
Truth never has anything to fear; only a
person teaching error or false doctrine fears exposure to the light. Why would anyone be afraid to set forth truth
in a public or private forum—unless they suspected that those things that they
teach are, in fact, wrong or indefensible?
It is a privilege and an honor to be set for the defense of the faith
(Phil.
The treasurer exhibits no
haughtiness. He is willing for Philip to
discuss and explain the Scriptures to him.
In this reception he is humble.
He
evaluates the message.
The
place in the Scripture which he read was this:
“He
was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And
like a lamb silent before its shearer,
So
he opened not His mouth.
In
his humiliation His justice was taken away.
And
who shall declare His generation?
For
His life is taken from the earth.”
So
the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom
does the prophet say this, of himself or some other man?” (Acts 8:32-34).
His willingness to discuss the Scriptures
continues. Assuredly, he is not the
“natural man” Paul describes later in 1 Corinthians 2:14. Spiritual matters are foolishness to the
“natural man” because he has no interest or inclination to study them. Also, he values Philip’s opinion because he
is someone who shares a common interest in the Word of God.
We should not assume, however, that the
treasurer is a gullible man. He will not
likely believe anything that Philip tells him, no matter how bizarre—unlike
some today who can be convinced that sickness is an illusion (Mary Baker Eddy
and “Christian Science”), that a con artist named Joseph Smith translated
golden plates of Reformed Egyptian through his hat—just before they disappeared
forever (a theory so full of holes that it is laughable to all except those who
take it seriously), or that the world is coming to an end in 1843 or 1844 or
shortly after 1920 or 1969 (as several have predicted over time).
It is amazing that so many will believe
just about anything but the truth. But
if a person has no love of the truth (2 Thess.
How do we know that the treasurer is not
gullible? He knows the Scriptures. He does not understand the passage from
Isaiah 53, but he understands the Scriptures well enough to know if someone
contrived an explanation that was totally off the wall. Today, some come up with interpretations that
ignore the text and are extreme, to say the least. Yet awkward and forced interpretations (not
to mention flakey) do not disturb them.
“After all,” they will tell you, “it’s all just a matter of interpretation
anyway.” This is the refuge of those
who have been shown the truth but do not want to accept it. Interpretation is not the problem; a lack of
respect for the truth is the source of the unrest.
He
is honest.
Then
Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to
him. 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?” 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” (Acts
We do not have a record of the exact words
that Philip spoke, but we have a good idea of what was said. Philip explained that Isaiah was prophesying
of the Christ, who was rejected by His own people (John
The eunuch must have been delighted to
learn the identity of the suffering servant of Isaiah 53. The explanation made as much sense to him as
Peter’s did to those on Pentecost. The
apostle had explained prophecies concerning the resurrection, and the fulfillment
of them, therefore, many (3,000) were ready to accept the truth, knowing that
Peter’s explanation made Scriptural sense (Acts
The treasurer gladly received Philip’s
word, also, when he explained the gospel and the way to obey it (Rom.
The treasurer is honest. He has evaluated the explanation that Philip
provided, and it makes sense. He does
not say, “I was born a Jew, and I will die a Jew.” He is responding to truth, not a mistaken
application of loyalty. If he needs to
repent of sins, he will repent. If he
needs to be baptized to be forgiven of his sins, he will do so. He does not quibble: “I don’t see what baptism
has to do with salvation.” Very likely
he did know that being buried with Christ into death would result in him being
raised up to walk in a new life (Rom. 6:3-5).
When people begin to argue against what
the Bible teaches, one thing is certain: they are not honest. When the Bible says, “Do not commit
adultery,” sincere people do not respond by saying, “But you don’t understand
my situation.” When the Bible condemns
homosexuality in every age (Patriarchal, Mosaic, Christian), honest folks do
not say, “But my son/daughter has that lifestyle. I cannot condemn it.” When the Bible prohibits women from
leadership roles in the church, sincere believers do not say, “Oh, that was just a cultural thing.”
And when the Bible teaches repentance and
baptism are necessary in order to have forgiveness of sins, sincere people do
not argue, “I don’t see what that has to do with it; I think you are saved by
faith only.” No, they do what those on
Pentecost did—and what the eunuch did.
They are baptized. Only first,
they must truly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, or their
baptism would be invalid.
He
is eager to obey.
So
he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went
down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the
water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no
more; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities
till he came to
The eunuch was
ready and eager to obey what Phil-ip had taught
him. He recognized the message as the
truth, and there was no need to delay it.
If a person is baptized for the forgiveness of his sins, then he knows
he is lost before he does so, and he knows that he is saved after
he does so. Therefore, when one
comprehends the truth, it is the right time to obey. Those on Pentecost did not wait a few months
before having their sins washed away (Acts
The treasurer is
in the wilderness. Perhaps he has urgent
business awaiting his return. Certainly,
he was not anticipating being immersed in water when he began this journey, but
he probably has a change of clothes.
Nevertheless, whatever inconvenience it might be, he is happy to be
baptized immediately. The urgency of
emerging out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light requires
it. He will not delay or postpone
something so fundamental as where he spends eternity. He rejoices immediately afterwards.
Compare this
attitude with religious groups who ask all of their “converts” to be baptized a
few months after they are “saved.”
Where is the urgency? Its absence
results from the difference in the two views.
Religious denominations, in general, do not think that baptism has
anything to do with salvation. Oh, it
should probably be done some time, but they do not view it as something that is
essential in the obtaining of salvation.
In fact, they teach that their members were saved by “faith only.” Therefore, if they had taught those on Pentecost,
or the treasurer, or the jailer, no one would have ever read a word about baptism. They would all have preached “salvation”
without it, and Acts
They like to tell
their people: “Baptism is just an out-ward sign of an inward grace,” and none
of their “converts” apparently ever thinks to ask them, “What Bible verse says
that?” The answer is, “None.” Satan made that one up to deceive them into
thinking they are all right even though their baptism is nothing like what
anyone can read about in the New Testament.
Why do their people never notice the urgency recorded in the Word—but no
urgency in the teaching of their religious group? Why do they never notice that no one in the
book of Acts was ever saved by faith only—that baptism was always
involved? Satan is still blinding people
and snatching the Word out of their hearts.
Summary
We ought to pray
that the Lord leads us to people like the eunuch. Surely, some have good and honest hearts
today. Some, even in denominations, must
have a sense that something is not right.
If they read their Bibles, they will eventually notice contradictions in
their practices, compared to New Testament doctrine. Christians need to find them and show them
the better way. We also need to find
those who are mildly interested in knowing the truth and increase their
appetite.
How wonderful it
is to find those interested in spiritual matters, who are willing to talk about
it—who are humble enough to consider what the Bible says, even if they have
been taught differently—who will fairly evaluate the message we bring them and
test it according to the Scriptures (Acts 17:11)—who are honest and not just
trying to defend a system of religion because of family or prior commitment—and
who are eager to obey. These have good
and honest hearts, and they will do the right thing.
Christians must
search for souls like these and not just be satisfied with “any” Bible
study. Those who insist, “I won’t
change” and begin arguing from the very first point are simply not good
prospects. A change of attitude is
essential for those who refuse to abide by the doctrine of Christ when it is
plainly taught. May we first pray that
we ourselves have not closed our minds to Biblical truth on any subject and
then pray for the Lord to lead us to those who are also sincere. We (the church as a whole) cannot save
everyone, but we can do better than we have—and we will, with God’s help.
*Send comments or questions concerning this article to Gary Summers. Please
refer to this article as: " WHAT IT TAKES TO
BECOME A CHRISTIAN (
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