Drop the Support, He Didn't Baptize Anyone

 By James Baker

Preachers cannot force baptisms.   If that were the case, Satan would have no one in his ranks because the preacher would have taken all prospects away.  1 Peter 3.9.   There have been times when supporting churches have demanded more from the preachers they support, than what they are doing themselves.  Matt 23.4.   Just because a preacher gets a check from a church, that is no reason for them to demand baptisms from that preacher.   For example, how many people are the supporting churches baptizing?   Acts 8.5-6.    Many churches have a large supply of males while the supported preacher might only have two or three males working with him and those churches expect that preacher and his little group to jump over the moon.    Just cannot be done.   It is not easy to convert people and anyone who says otherwise, should show a list of all the converts he has made.

It takes lots of work and many disappointments to convert people and it could take weeks, months or years. I’m not saying it is impossible, because I believe there are two reasons why the world is still standing.   Reason 1.  The righteous who are currently doing the Lord s will.  Reason 2. The righteous who will obey the gospel in the future.  2 Peter 3.9.   So not impossible, but its not easy either. We can only teach where we are permitted and hope that the students will be receptive to the message.  Acts 2.41

So, I ask again. To all supporting churches with your large membership and elders, radio and tv programs. How many people are you baptizing?  I’m not speaking of some members child. I’m speaking about people who have no contact with the church there. People of the neighborhoods, people on the members jobs. etc. How many baptisms have you had?

Faithful preachers go out every week looking for opportunities to share the gospel and hopefully get someone to give their life to Christ.  1 Cor 1. 13-17. As well intention as the man of God might be; that is no guarantee that someone will be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins. Acts  18.6 The consent to baptism comes from the student, not the preacher. Acts 16.30.  Acts 18.7-11.

I encourage all, preacher or not, supported by a local church or not. Just go out and do the work you know that you should do.  Be ready for opportunities to speak or do some action to teach someone. Yes, you want to and expect to; get the water warm for a baptism.   But in the meanwhile, just keep working.   If a preacher is working, he doesn’t deserve to have his support cut.  If he is watching tv all day that would be a different thought on the matter.  1 Cor 9.9-16. Think on these things.