p. 16 | A Sample Examination by W. N. G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 17, 1898

A Sample Examination

By W. N. G.

The Bible gives us examples for every Christian duty. One that is quite generally overlooked is the sample examination for baptism. The case is that of Philip and the Ethiopian officer whom he met on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. Philip was under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit in the whole transaction. He found the man reading Isaiah 53, and from that scripture preached to him the Gospel of Christ. “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Acts 8: 36–38. The reason that so short an examination was necessary was because the man was properly instructed as to the import of belief in Christ, and therefore knew what he was doing when he applied for baptism. He believed on Christ with all his heart, and that was the key to a willingness to obey all His requirements. Two expressions by the Lord Himself show what it means to believe on Him: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3: 16. The complement of this text is found in Matt. 19: 17: “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” To this may be added Luke 6: 46: “Why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” W. N. G.