In Acts, chapter 8, here are two men riding along; one is teaching the other the Gospel of Christ based on Isaiah, chapter 53; he preached unto him Jesus. The man being taught says, “Let’s don’t wait till we get to the next town. Here’s some water. I want to be baptized.” They stopped the chariot, and they did it.

In Acts, chapter 10, Peter finished his sermon at Cornelius’ house—well, actually he hadn’t finished it—but he interrupted his sermon long enough to say, “Can any man forbid the water that these should not be baptized?” and he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of Christ, and the implication is that they were immediately baptized.

You get to Acts, chapter 16, and you find that Paul and Silas are in a jail in Philippi. It’s at midnight; they’re singing and praying, and the Lord sends an earthquake, breaks open the doors of the prison, and even the stocks in which the men were held. The jailor comes in trembling. “What must I do to be saved?” Paul taught him the Gospel of Christ, and the same hour of the night, though it was past midnight and before the dawning of the day, Paul took this man and his household and baptized them.

Acts 22:16, “Why are you waiting, Saul? Arise now, and be baptized and wash away your sins.”

Why was there this immediacy? Why did these people, who when the heard and opened their hearts to the Gospel, not want to wait another moment to be baptized? Because, it was brought home to them, and they understood and believed it, that until they WERE baptized, the guilt of their sins that would damn their souls was still upon them. And they did not cherish that prospect.

My friend, are you here tonight having not been baptized into Christ, having not understood the purpose of baptism? Why will you not tonight be baptized into Christ? Why will you not do as Saul of Tarsus did, arise this moment, and be baptized? Why not make this the night that you are born of water and the Spirit into the family of God? Why not obey the Gospel tonight by being baptized so that the Lord can add you to His church this very night, Acts 2:41 and 47? We hope and pray that you’ll do that, whether young, old, in between, whatever your age. It is not too early, if you can understand the simple things that we have studied tonight, to confess your faith in Christ, turn away from sin and anything that would separate you from following Christ, and be baptized into Christ this very evening. Everything’s prepared to help you and assist you. Oh, how we would love to see you do that this very night!

Maybe you need to come back to Christ tonight. If that describes you, we pray that you’ll have the courage to do it. Let us stand as we sing.