Acts 8:26-39 [26] But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Arise and go south to the road

that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.) [27] And he arose and went; and behold, there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship.

[28] And he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. [29] And the Spirit said to Philip, Go up and join this chariot.

[30] And when Philip had run up, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Do you understand what you are reading?

[31] And he said, "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:

"He was led as a sheep to slaughter;

And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He does not open His mouth.

[33] "In humiliation His judgment was taken away; Who shall RELATE His GENERATION? For His life is removed from the earth."

[34] And the eunuch answered Philip and said, "Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself, or of someone else?"

[35] And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. [36] And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized? [37] [And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."]

[38] And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him.
[39] And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing.

WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM?

The English word Baptism was borrowed from the Greek words: Bapto (Greek root word) = to dip

Baptisma (Greek noun) = process of immersion or submersion

Baptizo (Greek verb) = dyeing of a garment (to effect a permanent change)

Baptizo means to be totally joined to, united with something else or altered to change condition, resulting in identification.

Baptism is the act of immersing a person in water who has experienced a permanent change in his life. Baptism is done in public as a public declaration of an inward change in your life.

2 Kinds of Baptism
Spiritual Baptism is a personal, private experience when one accepts Jesus by faith as Savior. At that moment a person is spiritually united with Christ. The Holy Spirit performs this baptism. Water Baptism is an external public proclamation of a private commitment where a person commits himself to Christ and dedicates himself to follow Him as his Lord and Master for the rest of his life. This baptism may be performed by another believer.

IS BAPTISM NECESSARY FOR SALVATION? No. Being baptized in water does not add to our salvation.

The formula for Salvation:

Faith in Jesus Christ + 0 = Eternal Life Good Works/ including Baptism

Baptism is not a means to salvation; it is a declaration of salvation.

Why are we to be Baptized? Matt 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I command you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. 1. Obedience to Gods command John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 15:14 You are my friends, if you do what I command you.

2. An Act of Identification/ Commitment

His Death Rom. 6:3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? His Burial Rom. 6:4a Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death.

2. An Act of Identification/ Commitment

His Resurrection Rom. 6:4b-5 in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.

IDENTIFICATION
Christs Death
Me

Christs Resurrection
Me

Christs Burial
Me

3. An Act of Witness Matt 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, As you go through baptism, remember that you are declaring to GOD, the world and yourself that you are committing to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

When are we baptized?

Acts 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls. Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. The sequence. Believe, then be baptized.

Will you have to say anything? You will only be asked two questions and your reply must be sincere:
Question 1 Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?

Question 2 Do you commit to follow Him all the days of your life?

ACTS 8:36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"