Information Related to "What Are You Waiting for?"
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The
religious zealot Saul of Tarsus was on his way to Damascus to apprehend
and imprison members of a new sect, the followers
of Jesus Christ. Suddenly he saw
a bright light and fell to the ground. He heard the words, "'Saul,
Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And he said, 'Who
are You, Lord?' Then the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting'" (Acts 9:4-5)
Saul then asked what the Lord wanted him to do. He was instructed to go to Damascus and he would be told what to do. Saul arose and realized he could not see. He had to be led the remainder of the way. He was found by one of God's servants, Ananias, who by the power of God restored Saul's sight and baptized him.
This dramatic incident brought about the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who became the apostle Paul. Must you have this same type of experience before you can be baptized? How old must one be? What are the important concepts to understand prior to baptism?
To be baptized, people young and old must repent of their sins (turn from breaking God's law and commit to obeying Him) and believe (have faith in) Jesus Christ and His gospel. That's it. There is no requirement that one must have a miraculous experience with God such as Saul had. You don't have to wait until you hear the voice of God and are blinded as Saul was.
Regarding one's age, in our day it's common in many Christian organizations for babies to be baptized. Yet, in simple terms, baptism requires repentance (Acts 2:38), faith (Mark 16:15-16) and commitment (Luke 14:26-33). Because babies can't even conceive of these things, infant baptism doesn't fulfill the biblical requirements.
Related Information on UCG Sites:
Table of Contents that includes "What Are You Waiting for?"
Other Articles by Gary Antion
Baptism: