by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
Philip did not simply baptize the eunuch because the eunuch wanted to be baptized. Here
again is a common mistake these days. We do some study and teaching with someone, and they
discover that the Bible requires baptism in order to be saved. This is actually not hard to show an
honest person, because it is so clearly taught in God’s word, (e.g. Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21;
Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:4, etc.). But just because a person says they want to be baptized is not a
sufficient reason for a Christian to drop everything and dip them. Philip placed a prerequisite upon
baptism: “If thou believeth with all thy heart, thou mayest.”
Repentance is a prerequisite to baptism, (see again Acts 2:38). I remember one time getting
into a bit of trouble with an elder’s wife when I declined to baptize a visiting gentleman who
responded to the invitation after I had preached. He said he wanted to be baptized, but as I spoke
with him on the front pew, he also told me that he had no intention of leaving his denominational
church, or of attending the services of the congregation. He obviously did not understand what he
was doing, and had not repented of his error. I have often thought that I could have gotten him wet,
but I could not have actually baptized him, for he was not ready. We do people a great disservice
when we leave them with the impression that they are saved, but when they have not complied
with God’s will.
Philip took the eunuch’s confession, (Acts 8:37), and we should be careful to take the
confession of candidates for baptism today. Give them the opportunity to do what the Bible
teaches, namely confess with the mouth that Jesus is Lord, the son of God, (see Romans 10:10).
They will long remember and cherish that momentous occasion when they “did confess the good
confession in the sight of many witnesses,” (1 Timothy 6:12).
Once the eunuch had requested to be baptized, had demonstrated his repentance, and had
confessed his faith in Jesus Christ, he was ready to be baptized for the remission of his sins. Notice
that once he was ready, the baptism occurred immediately. It was not delayed for weeks or months,
or scheduled for some time when others would be baptized as well. Because this was such an
important act, there was no hesitation. The record says that he commanded the chariot to stand
still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him,
(8:38).
To the honest reader, this passage forever settles the question of the mode of baptism. It is a
burial in water. Baptism is not a mere sprinkling, or having a little water poured on one’s head.
Such could have been done onboard the chariot with a flask or canteen. They both went “down
into the water” and Philip baptized him. And then, as if to make this point doubly sure, the text
continues, “and when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip,”
(8:39). They both went “down into the water” for the baptism, and after the baptism they both
“came up out of the water.” I’m not sure how the Bible could make any plainer what is the action
of baptism itself. This agrees with numerous other passages, which teach that baptism is a burial
in water, (cf. Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12).
Recognizing that baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, it is not difficult for us to understand
why the eunuch after he was baptized “went on his way rejoicing,” (8:39). He had just undergone
a destiny-altering change. He understood that his sins had been washed away by the blood of the
Lamb. Is there any other way to account for his joyous reaction? Christians long remember the joy
they felt upon being baptized, understanding that they had been saved!
The baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch, as beautifully described in Acts 8, is a precious and
detailed account of the nature and purpose of baptism itself. We learn a wealth of lessons about
baptism from this incident, especially from the way Philip handled this important situation. We
learn that baptism to the alien sinner is urgent and required in order to be saved. We learn that
baptism is a burial in water for the remission of sins. We learn that true baptism is preceded by
humility, faith, repentance, and confession. And we learn that baptism is an occasion of great
rejoicing, because in it our sins are washed away!
