Philip

November 15

Acts 8:36-40

This is the best news!

As Philip and the Ethiopian traveled along the desert road in a chariot, Philip explained the whole message of Jesus to him, starting with God’s promise to send a Savior. Then Philip told him that God had fulfilled this promise by sending Jesus to die in our place. He also told him how Jesus had risen again and commanded His followers to make disciples and baptize them.

As they traveled, they came to a place where there was water. The Ethiopian said to Philip, “Here is water! What is keeping me from being baptized right here?”

The Ethiopian official ordered the chariot to stop. Then he and Philip went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away, and the Ethiopian went on his way with great joy.

Why do people get baptized?

The Ethiopian wanted to be baptized because he believed in Jesus. Philip had told him the Good News of Jesus; about becoming a disciple, being baptized and about learning all that Jesus commanded (see Matthew 28:19-20).

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. It shows that the person’s life of sin has died (and been buried) and a new life has risen with Jesus. “…Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).

Baptism is a command. Jesus instructed His disciples to make more disciples (followers of Jesus) and to baptize them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Verse for today

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26-27