The 7 Lie and 7 Possibilities can be read as one by clicking HERE.7. God wants people to surrender to Jesus.
God directs your steps, calls his own, and leads as he pleases. Some want help. We simply need to open the Bible and speak of Jesus. Thats what happens in this story. But it would mean no good thing for the Ethiopian unless he surrendered his life.
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.In fact, so important is this surrender, that later textual editors wanted to 'seal the deal'. So presumably they added another verse, V37, putting words in the Ethiopian's mouth. But those words aren't necessary. The oldest manuscripts are enough: "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"
In other words, "why shouldn't I right now surrender my life to Jesus?"
That's the prayer, right?
Here endeth the lesson.
Thoughts or suggestions?
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3 comments:
questions/thoughts rather than comments mostly springing up from post #4 re people needing help. what are your thoughts on the main reasons why we don't offer help (our own feelings of inadequacy?) or ask for help (pride?).
i think it can be those two, but i can't stop the niggling feeling that there is more there... got any other thoughts?
j.
I'm not sure! Maybe we find it hard to discern when people want help.
But maybe a simple question we can ask 50 times a day is this: Can I help you discuss this and think through this. I'd like to.
Then schedule coffee.
Thanks for this series, Justin, I've found it really helpful and encouraging.
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