The Light of Christ Journey

“Why be baptized” may be a question that you or others may have. Sometimes people have been baptized and wonder why that was so important. In our story, Philip was guided by the Holy Spirit to stand beside the carriage of the treasurer of Ethiopia. The man had gone to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home. As the man sat in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah. He went on to ask Philip what this passage meant.

The Ethiopian Asked to be Baptized

Acts 8:³²“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. ³³ He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.”

³⁴ The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” ³⁵ So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

³⁶ As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” ³⁸ He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. ^[1]

Jesus Tells us to be Baptized

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave the disciples important instructions which we call the great commission. They were to go out and make disciples. Part of the great commission was to baptize and instruct these believers in the faith.

Matthew 28:¹⁸ Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ^[2]

The Apostle Peter tells us more about baptism. 1 Peter 3: ²¹ And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. ^[3]

Although scholars have different views on baptism, God’s word is very clear on the importance of baptism and in baptism the Lord does something supernatural.

Why be baptized? To find out more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-philip-the-ethiopian

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^[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 8:32–38). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.