How Are We Baptized? | Baptism Sunday 2026

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 56:1-8

This prophecy in Isaiah is fulfilled through Christ in multiple ways. First, because of Christ, “foreigners,” or Gentiles, are called to join in the Family of God. All nations are blessed because Christ calls all nations to repent and be saved. Second, very specifically, this prophecy finds its fulfillment in Acts 8 with one particular eunuch. The Ethiopian Eunuch did keep the Sabbath, even the High Holy Days, which is why Philip was able to meet with him on the road from Jerusalem. His story, in which we are looking today, helps inform our current age of evangelism and baptism.

As we look forward to Baptism Sunday tonight, it will help us to take a look at why we baptize people. Perhaps you have thought about being baptized but are unsure what the whole thing is about. Today’s story will tell us quite a bit.

If, however, you were baptized already, maybe even a long time ago, I also believe this story can inform your part in someone new being baptized. The title for today is not about the mode of baptism, but the story of how someone comes to faith and follows in baptism. The main lesson today is simply this:

The Lord uses His Spirit, His Word, and His people to call people to faith, repentance, and baptism.

The Lord certainly does the work of salvation, but that work is not in a vacuum. The Holy Spirit moves people to faith through the work of God’s Word and God’s people. Let’s take a look.

Philip and the Ethiopian | Acts 8:26-40

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
    and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he opens not his mouth.

In his humiliation justice was denied him.
    Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”

And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and 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. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Acts 8:26-40

The Bible gives us no indication of what this angel was like, nor the nature of Philip’s vision. But, it is well worth noting when the angel comes to Philip. If you survey the previous verses in chapter 8, Phillip had been in Samaria preaching and healing. He had an encounter with Simon the Magician which culminated with Peter pronouncing a curse on Simon and Philip standing by in the mix. This supernatural encounter with the Lord’s angel occurs as Philip was obedient in his daily ministry.

God will call us to bigger things when we are obedient in the little ones.

And so, the Lord directs Philip to meet with the Ethiopian in “a desert place.” Again, time and time again, the Lord has a way of directing His people to places conventional wisdom would say “Why?”. And this principle informs our own evangelism. There is a rule of convention that states we should “keep our heads down and out of people’s business.” And while there is certainly a place for that, we must be careful that following such wisdom isn’t leading us to disobedience. God does call us to keep our eyes open because at some point, there will be someone who wants to hear the Gospel. That’s why so many times the New Testament tells us “Stay awake!”

We must remain alert for the times when God has an opportunity for us to share Christ.

Philip follows the Spirit’s leading and approaches the chariot. There, he hears the Ethiopian reading from Isaiah. It was the ancient custom to read aloud. Many ancient manuscripts have bunched up letters and part of reading them was working out the beginnings and endings of words. But more than just being able to read the words on the page, Philip asks if the Ethiopian actually understands what is going on in the passage. The reply is telling—“How can I unless someone guides me?”

Paul has the same argument in Romans 10.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Romans 10:14-15

Now, before you read “preach” and think “That’s the preacher’s job!”, keep in mind Romans is not written to the apostles and pastors. It is written to the “Church in Rome” and by extension the wider Church. Additionally, “preaching” could also be translated “proclaiming”.

Are you able to proclaim the Good News of Christ?

Can you explain what God did through His Son? About Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection?

If you are saved, then you should be able to because you have heard yourself, you have believed for yourself, and you are being transformed by this same message. You have a testimony to tell about what Jesus has done for you.

It’s time to get those feet ready because God is going to use them!

Now, it just so happens that the Ethiopian is reading from Isaiah 53. Isaiah 53 is one of the most explicit prophesies about Jesus we have in the Old Testament. It is very difficult not to see Jesus in this chapter. And yet, the Ethiopian had no idea. Why is that?—because no one had told him yet.

Many times we take for granted that people should just know about Jesus. How could they not? Haven’t they heard the stories since childhood? Didn’t they go to church? Didn’t they grow up in a Christian nation?

No…they didn’t.

Not everyone grew up going to church, nor have they heard the stories. Biblical illiteracy is at an all time high for people actually going to church. How much less do those who never go know?

As we share the story of Jesus, we should never assume knowledge from anyone.

They cannot know unless someone has told them. Likewise, when we talk with someone about the possibility of baptism, it is always worth starting at the very beginning. What has Jesus done? Who do you believe He is? And that is why we, as pastors, always ask “Why do you want to be baptized?” There is really only one prerequisite for baptism, but it’s a big one:

The only criteria for baptism is that a person puts their faith in Jesus and desires to be obedient to Him.

When the Ethiopian understands and believes, they also come across a body of water. He asks a rhetorical question, “What prevents me from being baptized?” I do believe it is possible for Christians (and pastors) to overcomplicate things, but there is also the reality that baptism is more than a bath. It is a proclamation of what Christ has done in your heart. Paul says it this way in Romans 6.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6:1-4

Baptism certainly does not save you, but your salvation will change you…if you are truly saved. We do not continue in sin because the old self, riddled with sin’s corruption, is put to death and buried in the water. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too arise from the water in newness of life. The Holy Spirit does the work of transforming us from death to life, and we follow in baptism to proclaim that Good News to everyone.

Baptism is a proclamation of a transformed person.

I am so excited for the work God is doing in the lives of our baptismal candidates and what is in store for their futures.

I am also excited that God is continuing to work in the lives of each of us. As we close, I would like us to spend some time reflecting what God is calling us to do next. For some, it is time you surrendered in faith to Jesus. You have heard the stories. You know you need to be forgiven, but you also know you have not yet surrendered in faith. Do that as we pray.

For others, you know you are saved, but you haven’t joined in the mission…or perhaps recently. Life has distracted you from what God has for you. It is time to join us. When you ask Him, God will certainly tell you the next step of faith. It could be a friend or family member that needs to hear about Jesus. It’s time to tell them. It could be you need to join in a ministry of the church.

Whatever God is calling you to do today, step out in faith and do it.