It’s All About the Heart

There are hundreds of Bible verses that mention the heart. In the Bible, the heart refers to your core being. It’s the decision center where you decide what is right and wrong. It is essentially the real you.

Recently I was studying Acts chapter 8. It contains two important stories and both mention the heart. One of the stories is about the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip found him studying the Bible. Beginning where the eunuch was reading, Philip “preached Jesus to him.” Seeing some water, the eunuch said, “What hinders me from being baptized?” Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may” (Acts 8:35-37).

There are several lessons here about baptism. First, preaching Jesus obviously includes teaching baptism. Remember, Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). Second, only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God at the core of their being is eligible for baptism into Christ.

The other story in Acts 8 recounts the conversion of Simon the sorcerer. Simon believed and was baptized. When Simon saw that the apostles Peter and John could convey spiritual gifts by laying their hands on believers, Simon offered money for this ability. Peter said, “Your money perish with you because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:13-22).

Our heart is crucial to our spiritual being. We must believe at the core of our beings that Jesus is our King. Further, we must guard our hearts so they remain right in the sight of God!

For the elders,

Dave Benner