More On Water Baptism

Previously, it was stated that from all accounts, it seemed as though John was mostly confined to the desert or wilderness areas where he preached the Gospel of repentance. It was emphasized that people did not just hear of John and travel all the way to where he was, just to be baptized. The understanding was that people went to hear John speak and call people to repentance. The Spirit of God convicted souls, after listening to John’s message of repentance and they were baptized.  

Today, we want to come to a more in-depth understanding of water and the washing away of sins. By faith, we believe that the water, in water baptism, symbolizes cleansing or washing.

We are further informed that John was also baptizing at Aenon near Salim. The Bible gives us a reason for this. John baptized there, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. John 3: 23b. There is something special and mystical beyond the obvious. True, we are told that there was plenty of water at Aenon, but people were not going here to get water to drink, wash clothes or even have baths. They were going to that place of water to show that they were changed people or that they wanted to be changed people. There, in that place, the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit’s life-convicting work was made manifest through water baptism.   

Here is a famous occasion, where the presence of water inspired baptism. Under the direct commands of the Spirit, Philip goes up to a coach in which an Ethiopian eunuch was travelling. On hearing the eunuch, as he read from the book of Isaiah the prophet, Philip, all under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, asks him this question. Do you understand what you are reading? This was the eunuch’s reply. How can I, he said, unless someone explains it to me? Acts 8: 31a. 

The eunuch invited Philip to join him in his chariot. Philip gladly joined him and spoke to him about Jesus. All along the way, the Spirit began to work in that eunuch as Philip spoke. As they were travelling, the eunuch saw some water and boy, was he ready to be baptized. He never waited on Philip to take the lead. He just saw the water and burst out with these most innocently beautiful, exquisitely precious and priceless words. Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized? Acts 8: 36. Water, for that hearer of the Word, was exciting and wonderful. It meant that he had truly and earnestly given himself to Jesus, and died with Jesus, so that he could, from thenceforth, live with Jesus. When Philip had baptized him, we are told that the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more.  Note! The newly converted and water-baptized eunuch went on his way rejoicing. There is rejoicing after one is baptized.

Now here is an interesting twist, if you like. Peter, under his Master’s orders, having been given a change of mind and heart towards the things of God and the people of God, has obediently gone to a house full of Gentiles, all eager to hear the Word of God. A centurion named Cornelius, had been told by an angel of the Lord to send for Peter, who would come and tell them about the Lord. When Peter gets to the centurion’s house he meets a full house, for the centurion had invited all his family and friends over, to hear Peter speak of Jesus.

We know this, for when Peter gets there and asks Cornelius why he sent for him, this was Cornelius’ response. He explained about his divine experience and then said. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us. Acts 10: 33b. Think about it carefully. This Gentile never ever spoke of wanting to hear about Jesus, about resurrection, about crucifixion or even about baptism. All this man required was to hear whatever God had told Peter to tell him and all who were in his house.

We are told that something amazing happened as Peter began speaking to them about Jesus and the forgiveness of sins. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. Acts 10: 43 – 44. What an absolute shocker that was for the circumcised believers who had come with Peter. Peter’s preaching stopped immediately. When he saw how the Lord had baptized those uncircumcised Gentiles, who were not water-baptized, all Peter could say was this. Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. Acts 10: 47.

Does this not take you back to the sentiments of the Ethiopian eunuch who, on seeing water, spoke out saying, Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized? Peter, like the eunuch is so taken by the works of the Spirit with them and in them, doing life-changing works in the hearts of hearers of the Word that nothing will deter or keep the physical manifestation of spiritual transformation from taking place. 

Oh! The power of the Holy Spirit in baptism!