Conversion, Part II

Verses 1-7 are some of the most fascinating to me in the entire book of Acts.

How puzzling that new believers hadn’t heard of the Holy Spirit and experienced John’s baptism of repentance.

It is interesting to correlate Jesus’ words at the end of Matthew, the end of Luke and the beginning of Acts with Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian believer.

Clearly water baptism is an important sign of Christian faith, but baptism in the Holy Spirit does not always correlate to baptism in Acts.  But in these verses, it is John’s baptism which is incomplete.

The Urgency of Baptism

In verses 26-40, we read about Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch’s miraculous encounter.

Philip explains the message of the Bible.

The eunuch passes by water and asks to be baptized on the spot.

Philip raises no objections.  After the baptism, he is miraculously transported to another town, never to be seen by the eunuch again.

The Insufficiency of Baptism

In verses 13-17, we read that Simon the Sorcerer believes and is baptized.  But wait until what happens next!