Joyful Moments in Christ

And as they were going along the road they cam to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! “What prevents me from being baptized?” – Acts 8:36 (ESV)

Deciding to become a Christian is a deeply personal journey that varies for each individual. Some people embrace the faith quickly, while others take their time, carefully reflecting on their decision. This contemplation can greatly assist in preventing backsliding into old habits, yet it also reflects a hesitation to trust the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

The Ethiopian Eunuch

The story of the Ethiopian eunuch, who eagerly accepted baptism upon encountering the apostle Philip, exemplifies a decisive and immediate response to the call of faith.

In prior verses, the eunuch struggled to understand passages in Isaiah. The Holy Spirit led Philip to the eunuch in a very surprising and miraculous way, facilitating a profound and fascinating discussion regarding the Good News about Jesus. When they encountered water, the eunuch was ready for baptism without hesitation.

The eunuch’s readiness can be partly attributed to his religious background. As a high-ranking official in charge of the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, he had traveled to Jerusalem to worship and likely heard about Jesus’ death and resurrection while he was there. This background may have prepared him for the moment he met Philip, making his decision appear instant, but was also grounded in prior knowledge and spiritual openness.

The Parable of the Sower

The parable of the sower, found in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15, illustrates various responses to the message of the Gospel. In these verses, Jesus describes how different types of soil affect the growth of seeds, symbolizing how people’s hearts receive the word of God. Here is the story as recorded by Luke:

And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Luke 8:4-8 (ESV)

Later, Jesus explained the meaning to his disciples:

And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Luke 8:9-15 (ESV)

The parable of the sower relates to the decision-making process for baptism by highlighting how different individuals receive and respond to the Gospel message. Those represented by the rocky soil may initially receive the word with joy but fall away during trials due to a lack of deep roots. In contrast, the good soil represents those who hear the word, embrace it fully, and bear fruit with perseverance. This parable emphasizes the need for a solid foundation and genuine commitment when deciding to follow Christ.

For many, the danger of being baptized too soon can be likened to seeds that fall on rocky ground. The initial joy is strong, but without deep roots, the faith may wither under pressure. However, the Ethiopian eunuch’s earnest search for truth and willingness to learn suggest his faith had depth that would allow him to hold fast to the word and bear good fruit.

Is it time to be baptized?

So, what does this mean for those considering baptism? The timeline for deciding to be baptized depends on individual circumstances. Someone raised in a Christian home might need less time to decide than someone new to the faith. The roots of faith may already be forming in the former case, much like the eunuch’s background prepared him for his encounter with Philip.

To develop these roots, potential candidates for baptism should reflect on their commitment to following Christ exclusively. For instance, individuals transitioning from other religious traditions must reconcile their new faith with past beliefs, understanding that following Jesus requires exclusive devotion.

For example, those coming from a Buddhist or Hindu background might genuinely respect Jesus and desire to follow Him. However, they might also feel inclined to continue worshiping the gods of their past when returning to their parents’ home. This conflicts with the first commandment, which requires exclusive devotion to God. While God is forgiving, it is crucial to thoughtfully consider these potential conflicts before deciding to be baptized.

Conversely, some people seek absolute certainty before being baptized. While not exactly the same, Martin Luther, a notable figure in Christian history, experienced a dramatic conversion but then struggled with doubts and fears. His eventual realization that salvation comes through faith alone, as expressed in Ephesians 2:8-10, underscores that faith and grace, rather than human effort, secure salvation.

It is only with the realization that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone that we can fully understand the urgency of baptism. When we feel the Spirit’s call, it’s time to respond. Baptism is a step of faith, affirming our commitment to turn away from sin and follow Jesus. When we are confident in both of these commitments, we should echo the eunuch’s words: “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

Reflection Questions

1. What does the story of the Ethiopian eunuch teach us about readiness and openness to the Holy Spirit’s call?
2. How does the parable of the sower illustrate the different ways people might receive the message of the Gospel?
3. Why is it important to reflect on one’s commitment to Christ before deciding to be baptized?
4. How can understanding the background and context of the Ethiopian eunuch’s decision help in your own faith journey?
5. What potential conflicts might arise for individuals transitioning from other religious traditions when deciding to follow Jesus exclusively?
6. How can the example of Martin Luther’s journey to faith encourage those who seek certainty before baptism?
7. What steps can you take to ensure your faith has deep roots and can withstand trials and challenges?
8. How do you discern the right time to respond to the Holy Spirit’s call for baptism in your own life?

Reflective Prayer

Use this memory verse to pray using the ACTS method: Adoration, Confession, Thankfulness, Supplication

• Adoration: Praise God. Does this verse bring any specific characteristics of God to mind?
• Confession: Tell God that you are sorry for specific sins. Does this verse bring any specific sins to mind?
• Thankfulness: Show gratitude towards God. Does anything from this verse inspire gratitude?
• Supplication: Make requests for yourself and for others. Does anything from this verse inspire a prayer?

If helpful, you can use a prayer journal template.

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Related Resources

Visit the Joyful Moments in Christ homepage for all posts, or scroll through other blog posts related to baptism:

English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.