Holding Your Horses - The Importance of Baptism

I was reading several weeks ago in Acts 8:26-40. In this passage, we encounter a man, a royal official (eunuch) from Ethiopia. Philip, a Christian, comes upon the Ethiopian who happens to be sitting on the tailgate of his chariot reading a part of the Old Testament. Specifically, he is reading a passage about the coming Savior (Isaiah 53). Philip asks him what he is reading, and the Ethiopian admits he isn't able to understand who the sheep that is lead to slaughter is in the passage.

Here is an excerpt from what happened next (35-39):

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about 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?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

Philip shared the good news about Jesus and the man believes! There are many lessons here about evangelism, the power of God's Word, and the sovereignty of God in salvation. But here is something I noticed for the first time. The Ethiopian, after hearing the good news, is the one who says, "hold the horses, there is water right there, can you baptize me?" (New Ben Translation). Philip, in sharing "the good news about Jesus," must have included Jesus' command for all his followers to be baptized (Matt. 28:18-20). Otherwise, how did the man know about baptism? It is clear that baptism does not make a person right with God (justification is by faith alone). Nonetheless, baptism is not unimportant or a nice thing for those who enjoy that sort of thing. 

In summary, my point is not that we must talk about baptism while sharing the gospel, but rather to show that baptism is not a "take it or leave it" type of thing. Philip included it in his overview of the good news of Jesus. And notice that the man who was baptized "went on his way rejoicing." He came to know Jesus as his Savior and Lord, and, so, he was quite happy. Baptism was the public testimony to that inward reality and, I would argue, magnified his joy.

Here is a closing illustration will highlight what I mean. Wearing a wedding ring isn't necessary for a marriage covenant to be real, but most couples are not indifferent to picking out a ring and exchanging them on their wedding day. They aren't indifferent to the ring and, in fact, they delight in it because of what it signifies. It is a physical picture of the commitment they are making to one another.  In the same way, baptism isn't necessary for our being united to Jesus. But that doesn't mean we are indifferent to sign of our covenant with him. We are glad to publically identify with the lover of our soul.

If baptism is a new concept for you, check out the booklet on baptism and communion at our church's website. If you are a believer in Jesus and have not been baptized since placing your faith in Him, contact one of the pastors to discuss baptism and get any questions you have answered.