why on earth did the ethiopian eunuch ask philip to baptize him?(acts 8) I read isaiah 53 but no baptism was mentioned there. nor can I find any baptism in the old testament.
2007-06-24 01:54:23 · 7 answers · asked by martha 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Acts chapter 8 does not give every word Phillip spoke to the eunich. Judging from what information is given Phillip did in fact tell the eunich that baptism was essential and essential immediatly. Why else would the eunich ssay here is water wht hinders me from being baptized. The people who lived during the first century did believe baptism was essential for one to be a Christian.
Rejection of baptism is a more modern thing. Modern meaning post protestant times.
Isiah 53 deals with the messiah, Phillip used this chapter to prove Jesus was the messiah and that all his teachings were to be obeyed. Phillip did not preach to the eunich only about Isiah 58. He had to have spoken about the life and ministery of Jesus including Jesus teachings about baptism.
BB
2007-06-24 04:05:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We believe in water baptism, as taught and demonstrated by Jesus, as the way for believers to identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.
Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:4; Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift from God. He helps empower the believer to develop the character of Christ and live every day in God's will.
Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:4 .
2007-06-24 09:01:50 · answer #2 · answered by OIL 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Phillip "preached unto him Jesus".
Preaching Jesus would include instructions on how to be saved. Jesus had said "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved". (Mark 16:16)
It is at baptism that we come "into Christ" and we are "baptized into His death"! (Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:12)
Christ's saving blood was shed at His death. It is this blood that saves us from our sins (Romans 5:8-10, Revelation 1:5)! To contact this blood, we must contact his death! How can we be saved if we have not contacted His death and saving blood?
Saul was told "be baptized and wash away your sins" (Acts 22:16). This is where he was to contact that saving blood.
Also, at baptism, we "rise to walk in newness of life"! New life comes at a birth. How can we be saved if we have not been "born again" into this new life in Christ?
How could Phillip have preached Jesus if he had not told the eunuch about how to be saved?
"Baptism now saves you... through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21, NASB) Baptism is "for the remission of sins"! (Acts 2:38)
2007-06-25 19:33:14 · answer #3 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because baptism was the last step in a Gentile becoming a Jew. But being a eunuch he was not allowed to become a full-fledged Jew. Philip was offering him the chance to become a Jew.
Baptism was common in Judaism.
2007-06-24 09:09:50 · answer #4 · answered by Timon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You won't find baptism in the OT because it did not exist until the time of Christ, beginning with John the Baptist. Baptism replaced circumcision as the new covenant.
2007-06-24 08:57:59 · answer #5 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptism wasn't necessary until Jesus came along. Jesus gave out new rules as to salvation.
2007-06-24 08:58:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is a public symbol of your life change, to conform to God's way of thinking and dedication of your life to God.
John baptized to prepare the way for Christ, the Messiah.
Before that, all one had to be was a Jew.
2007-06-24 10:32:47 · answer #7 · answered by grnlow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋