BAPTISM— FIRST ACTION AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS
BAPTISM— FIRST ACTION OF A FOLLOWER OF JESUS
And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” —Acts 8:36
Why did the eunuch want to be baptized? We are surely not told the full discussion that Philip had with the eunuch, but we are told that “Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus” (Acts 8:35). What did Philip tell him about Jesus? It seems part of what they talked about was when “Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). The Eunuch wanted to be immediately obedient and so he was baptized.
He did not go through a class about baptism. He was baptized immediately after he believed. His baptism was bearing witness that he had believed— had died with Christ and now was raised with Christ to live a new life. He was a new creature in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17). Then the “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39).
It is interesting that the first action of obedience after salvation was his desire to be baptized. I wonder… have you followed our Lord obediently in baptism? The eunuch bore witness to all in his entourage of his faith in Jesus through being baptized. Have you born witness of your faith in Jesus through baptism? This should be the first step of a new believer. If you have been a believer for a period of time and have not been baptized then please… what do you not understand about this passage? — “Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). If you are truly Jesus’ disciple and have not been baptized, then may you do so in obedience to Him! It is a first step! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8Sx_U0Ztr8
Dear Father I thank You for the memory of being baptized in the Caribbean Sea with my brothers back in February of 1979. Thank You for Your loving kindness toward me all these years and Your patient compassion toward me. Oh, that I would be a faithful witness and disciple-maker for Your glory and out of my love for You and for people for the rest of my life. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.