The eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” … They both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:36, 38-39)
Have you noticed how eagerly the Ethiopian obeyed the Gospel? There were no prolonged catechisms or required courses of study. There were no votes about his character, his spiritual experiences, or his suitability to receive baptism. There was just the Ethiopian’s question (Acts 8:36), “What prevents me from being baptized?” and Philip’s response. A verbal answer appears in some old copies of the Greek and Latin New Testament:
Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And [the Ethiopian] answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
As noted in modern versions, that verse, Acts 8:37, is not found in important ancient manuscripts. However, Philip’s immediate action proved that his answer was positive.
Have you heard the Lord’s call and asked, “What prevents me from being baptized?” The answer is the same today. In Acts, every person who truly believed the Gospel obeyed it immediately: “that day” (Acts 2:41, 47), “when they believed” (Acts 8:12 cf. 18:8; 19:5), and “at once” (Acts 16:33). When asked, “Why do you wait?” Saul arose and was baptized (Acts 9:18; 22:16). The Ethiopian’s story followed the same pattern, and so should yours. Why disobey the Lord in whom you trust? Why remain in sin, separated from God, for a moment longer? “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Today, make the decision that sends you on your way rejoicing.