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WATER BAPTISM (III)
FRIDAY, MAY 22
Acts 8:26-39
Isaiah 52:15-53:9
 
“So shall he sprinkle many nations.”
 
WATER BAPTISM (III)
 
In Acts 8:26-39, Philip preached the good news of Jesus Christ to the Ethiopian eunuch from Isaiah 53:7ff. What was the water which they saw as they drove along? The region along that road is desert country (Acts 8:26) and there is no natural body of water available for immersion. Tertullian in his treatise, “On Baptism,” refers to “the eunuch whom Philip baptized in the midst of his journey with chance water.” The presumption is that it was a shallow pool beside the road such as is often seen in desert country after a shower.
 
But what made the Ethiopian think of baptism? As Philip met him he was reading Isaiah 53:7-8, but we must remember that there were no chapter divisions in the ancient scrolls. He had doubtless just read the words of Isaiah 52:15, “So shall he sprinkle many nations.” He probably was familiar with Ezekiel 36:25-27, “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” And the Ethiopian knew the Old Testament idea of ceremonial cleansing by the sprinkling of water. It is thus quite easy to see what caused the Ethiopian to ask for baptism.
 
The going down into the water was not a part of the baptizing for both of them went down into the water. Neither did the coming up out of the water constitute any part of the baptizing, for they both came up out of the water. The baptizing was an act quite distinct from going down and coming up. Wearing sandals (the custom then), they doubtless stepped down into the water (it may have been a few inches deep) and Philip baptized the eunuch, doubtless by dipping and pouring or sprinkling, as suggested by numerous Old Testament references.
 
THOUGHT: “Baptism is a pledge of eternal life before God, an outward sign of faith before men.” (Calvin)
PRAYER: Lord, I want to confess my faith before men in water baptism.

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