Baptism in Acts 8
Here is a simple outline of Acts 8 with Scriptures to go along with the points. I encourage you to read Acts 8:26-40 before going through the outline. This is the account of the conversion of the Ethiopian on the road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza. It is rich in doctrine about what the Bible says about baptism.
Baptism is an essential part of the Gospel (Acts 8:35-36)
Jesus said so: Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16
The Apostles preached it: (Chapters of conversions in Acts 2,8,9,10,16,22,26)
The "preaching of Jesus" included baptism (Acts 8:35-36)
If it was not included, how did the Ethiopian know he needed to be immersed in Acts 8:36?
Baptism is a burial (Acts 8:38-39)
Burial implies three things
The thing to be buried can be different – money, wires, pipes, pets
The thing buried in can be different – in the ground, in water, in a pocket, in a purse
The act of burying is NEVER different – it is ALWAYS a covering
Jesus walked 65 miles to be immersed (Matthew 3:13; John 3:23)
Baptism is for a repentant believer (Acts 8:34-36)
No mention of infant baptism in the New Testament
The 3000 on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38)
Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 8:39)
We offend Almighty God by our personal sin (Romans 3:23)
Sin separates us from God (Romans 6:23)
Sin keeps us out of heaven
How do we get rid of this sin? By immersion (Acts 2:38; 22:16)
Baptism is an immediate act (Acts 8:36-38)
Conversion accounts illustrate this from the book of Acts: (Chapters of conversions in Acts 2,8,9,10,16, 22,26)
There is no promise of tomorrow (Luke 12:16-21)
After completing this outline, I encourage you to study all the chapters of conversion in the book of Acts. I created a chart which can be used to check off what happened in each conversion account. After you have filled out the chart by studying the Biblical conversion accounts, compare this with your own conversion. Conversions in Acts