Acts 8:35-39
What is written? (ESV)
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.
What does it say?
Philip begins with a Scripture (Isaiah) and shares the good news of Jesus. As they were traveling along the road, the eunuch sees water and wants to be baptized, so together they go “down into” the water where Phillip baptizes the eunuch. When they “came up out of” the water, the Spirit took Philip away. The eunuch continues his journey rejoicing and no longer sees Philip at this encounter.
What is its immediate context?
Phillip is sent by the Spirit of God to teach the eunuch who is reading Isaiah while he’s traveling back from home from visiting Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. When they see water, they stop in order for the eunuch to be baptized. We hear no more about Ethiopia in the Bible, but history records it to have a great Christian history. Philip quotes from Isaiah 53
How Acts 8:35-39 is applied across Bible answers
Is baptism required for salvation?
The eunuch was convicted by the "good news about Jesus" and apparently understood from Phillip that baptism was required. He wanted to be baptized immediately. (Seems that if it were just a symbolic act, he would have waited to be home with his family and friends?)
Top 3: Salvation false doctrines?
What is the purpose of baptism?
Baptism is the Eunuch's natural and immediate response to Peter "preaching Jesus".
What is water baptism?
First, Philip tells him "the good news about Jesus" which results in the eunuch understanding there is a need for him to be baptized (and immediately). Baptism was the eunuch's response to hearing about Jesus. Second, a large enough body of water1 (e.g. river, lake) is what he sees since they both went "down into" and "came up out of" the water. (footnote: it's not very conceivable the eunuch embarks on this journey without water to drink)
