Acts 8:37

[ReigningKing]

My uncle's sermon yesterday was on Acts, Ch. 8, and we came across the point when Phillip was speaking to the Ethiopian eunuch. We came across the topic of how Acts 8:37 is not in the most ancient manuscripts, and therefore is not in the modern translations other than the King James Version. This passage was apparently inserted by a scribe who wanted to explain why the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized. It is clear from the rest of scripture the eunuch was not saved by being baptized.

My question is though, should you make a "good confession" before baptism, and why/why not?

[keck553]

My uncle's sermon yesterday was on Acts, Ch. 8, and we came across the point when Phillip was speaking to the Ethiopian eunuch. We came across the topic of how Acts 8:37 is not in the most ancient manuscripts, and therefore is not in the modern translations other than the King James Version. This passage was apparently inserted by a scribe who wanted to explain why the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized. It is clear from the rest of scripture the eunuch was not saved by being baptized.

My question is though, should you make a "good confession" before baptism, and why/why not?

Isaiah 56 should shed some light on this.

[uric3]

My uncle's sermon yesterday was on Acts, Ch. 8, and we came across the point when Phillip was speaking to the Ethiopian eunuch. We came across the topic of how Acts 8:37 is not in the most ancient manuscripts, and therefore is not in the modern translations other than the King James Version. This passage was apparently inserted by a scribe who wanted to explain why the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized. It is clear from the rest of scripture the eunuch was not saved by being baptized.

My question is though, should you make a "good confession" before baptism, and why/why not?

I don't know if I would make the statement that "It is clear from the rest of scripture the eunuch was not saved by being baptized." Baptism is part of what Christ ask us to do as an act of faith. Baptism alone doesn't save us no way no how, that is through the blood of Christ. However Baptism is something that is ask of us... see Mark 16:16. 1st Peter 3:20-21, John 3:1-ff; Acts 22:16 and other verses note and show all Christians participating in this act. So since its requested, I treat it like any other command and do it. If you refuse to do it or note it isn't needed then you'd be ignoring scripture and the command of the great commission. 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 for Acts 8:37 not being in scripture that is correct however confession is still requested in other passages such as Rom 10:10... however I don't think its like we think of it today as in before being baptized or what have you to say you believe in Jesus Christ... its more so of a life style it is something you should profess regardless of location and who you are around.

For example (this is a true story) a young man who had went to church for years and had obeyed the gospel joined the Navy. He went out for months at a time... upon coming back on leave people were talking to him noting about how hard it must have been as a Christian due to the stereotyping of those in the Navy and how his fellow shipmates took it that he was a Christian. He noted simply put "I never told them."

How could you be a Christian on a ship for months at a time and never once profess your faith... if nothing else they should have noticed his actions and been like why don't you do X with the guys, etc...

I think this is what confession is about being in the world but not of the world, if your a Christian people should notice your different it should spark conversations or opportunities to confess your faith... not just once infront of a crowded room of those who have like faith... its not to be hid under a bushel it should shine before all.

Anyway not sure if that helps answer your question or not... however this tradition of people making the good confession in front of fellow believers isn't a bad thing, so I see nothing wrong with it...

[chad]

Yes, it is good to make a public confession, this is usually done before baptism, before believers who are happy that you have found faith and are publicly confessing it... Paul writes in -

(Rom 10:9 NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Rom 10:10 NIV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

And John writes in -
(John 12:42 NIV) Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; (John 12:43 NIV) for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

[SIZE=1]
My question is though, should you make a "good confession" before baptism, and why/why not?

[amazzin]

Public confession? Or public proclamation of what God has done that gives Him all the Glory?

[AmongTheLeast]

Luk 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

So I ask you to now define baptism. It is essential to define baptism before we can discuss whether or not a confession is required I would think.

[uric3]

Luk 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

So I ask you to now define baptism. It is essential to define baptism before we can discuss whether or not a confession is required I would think.

Well the baptism with fire was only promised to the apostles... no one else got that... thus the only baptism that could be talked about at this time is water baptism. I don't want to derail the thread so I won't go into more details but if you want to talk about it perhaps we do a private chat or start a new thread.

[MoreMercy]

Jesus was when He walked and taught on Earth speaking directly to the peoples of Judea and Israel.
(Even though speaking to us now but indirectly being the reason we must now diligently seek Him)
The reason I make note here that Jesus was speaking directly to those peoples is that we should, or at least I have looked at what those peoples knew and/or understood of baptism.
I looked up and read everywhere else in the Old testament where Father uses the word baptism, and considered those teachings. (Not the New testament yet, but the Old. To understand what the New says about it)
This blessed me with good understanding of the New testaments teachings on baptism.

If anyone decides what I offer is good advice, please note that I suggest reading everything the Old says about it, not just reading enough to think we understand, but reading all of what Father says about baptism to those who Christ was directly speaking to.
That is how I diligently seek Him, as He recommends/commands, and He blesses me with not just the knowledge of His word but also understanding of His word, amen.


Father bless and have mercy on all of us.

[jhardy35862]

Interesting to note also that Eunuch believed that Jesus Christ was "the son of God" ... not God himself...