Yesterday, I began my day by stumbling upon a verse that sparked a chain of reflections:

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then 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” (Acts 8:36-37 NKJV).

Verse 37, which recounts Philip’s question to the Ethiopian eunuch before his baptism, is notably absent from many ancient manuscripts. Yet, it holds a significance that extends beyond textual debates, as I was reminded later when I attended a baptism service.

A Simple Confession

Acts 8:37 is a contested verse, often relegated to footnotes or square brackets in modern translations due to its absence from some ancient texts. Yet, even if it is a later addition, it offers us a valuable insight into the understanding of the early church. The possibility that this verse was added by a later hand does not impact the integrity of Scripture, nor does it diminish its value; rather, it enhances our appreciation for the clarity it brings.

If the verse were indeed a later insertion, it would still reflect the conviction of early Christians that the heart of saving faith lies in the simple confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. This is the very truth that all four gospels emphasize, with the Gospel of John being particularly prolific in this sense, making it clear that eternal life is secured through belief in Jesus’ identity. And above all, that eternal life is not an end in and of itself, but it’s a means to a much loftier end goal: dwelling forever with God.

Thus, the eunuch’s declaration, whether original or not, encapsulates the core of the gospel as the earliest followers of Christ understood it.

Joy Amidst Confusion

After this early morning reflection, I went about my day, attended service at our church with my family, and enjoyed a quick Sunday lunch. Later in the afternoon, we finally headed to a baptism service arranged by two local churches in Tuscany where we live and serve. We were invited by friends whose daughter was getting baptized, and it was a beautiful gathering—a time of worship, fellowship, and celebration of new life in Christ.

The service was filled with joyful moments: a (rather clear, I must say) gospel presentation from the pulpit, heartfelt hymns chosen by the young men and women who were about to be baptized, and moving testimonies—some simple, others deeply emotional, and a few dramatic in nature. Witnessing these young believers taking this significant step in their spiritual journey was a privilege.

But amidst the joy, I could not help but notice something. While sincere and uplifting, the testimonies revealed a deep-seated confusion about the gospel and what it means to be converted—a confusion echoed by the words of the adults in charge of the immersion ritual, who asked the final questions about the profession of faith.

This observation in no way detracts from the beauty of the event, the veracity of the conversions, or the genuine fellowship we shared afterward, with abundant food, lively conversation, and children playing happily. Yet, it is a concern that cannot be ignored.

Faith or Commitment?

Two realizations crystallized for me during this baptism service:

1. There is widespread confusion about the core message of the gospel.
2. There is a misunderstanding about what constitutes genuine conversion and the qualifications for baptism.

As I listened to the reasons these young men and women gave for their choice of getting baptized, it became clear that many were not doing it because they had come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God—the simple truth that is the foundation of the Christian faith.

Now, please, do not misunderstand me: they had also professed belief in Jesus, but for most of them, this was something that had happened years before. Instead, they were now being baptized because they had reached a point of spiritual maturity or had experienced a profound awakening.

Some were baptized because they had finally surrendered their lives to Jesus; others spoke of making Jesus their Lord and Savior, while others still mentioned deciding to follow Him or to be finally ready to commit to the Christian life fully.

What troubled me was not their sincerity but the underlying confusion about the gospel. If baptism is supposed to be a picture of our salvation in Christ, it seems we have moved away from belief as the cornerstone of salvation, replacing it with personal experience and commitment as the benchmarks of genuine faith.

And yet, the verse from Acts 8:37 remains unambiguous. Why did Philip baptize the eunuch? Simply because he believed in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God—nothing more, nothing less.

The Role of Experience

In our modern church culture, there is an increasing tendency to doubt the validity of one’s conversion unless it is accompanied by a dramatic transformation or a visible commitment to following Christ. This expectation might be particularly burdensome for those raised in Christian families. I heard that before, and I once again witnessed it in one of the testimonies at the service. One young man, just 17 years old, unwittingly yet astutely observed the absurdity of this demand. Having been raised with Christian values, his still very young life lacked the dramatic turnaround many expect as proof of true faith. For him, the decision to get baptized did not involve a radical change but rather a deepening of his existing commitment to prayer and Scripture.

This observation underscores a crucial issue: when significant life changes measure conversion, those raised in Christian homes are left in a difficult position. Their lives may already reflect Christian values, making it nearly impossible to meet the expectation of a dramatic conversion experience. For these young believers, baptism becomes less about professing faith in Christ and more about publicly acknowledging their spiritual maturity or desire to deepen their walk with God.

Reflections on Modern Baptism

This trend raises several concerns. First, it complicates the gospel's simple message. The New Testament consistently teaches that saving faith is rooted in the belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. We risk obscuring this foundational truth when we add layers of required experiences or commitments.

Second, this trend may unintentionally undermine the assurance of salvation for many believers. If salvation is tied to ongoing experiences or the visible fruit of commitment, then the security of faith can become shaky, particularly during seasons of spiritual dryness or doubt.

Third, it places an undue burden on young believers, particularly those from Christian families, to demonstrate a level of spiritual maturity that may not be appropriate for their stage in life.

The danger is that baptism becomes less about faith in Christ and more about proving one’s worthiness or readiness to be part of the church community.

Therefore, I believe it’s time to reconsider the role of testimonies during baptism services. Baptism is a sacred act, a public declaration of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. While it is wonderful to hear about the changes God has brought about in a believer’s life, these should not overshadow the central focus of baptism, which is the believer’s identification with the death and resurrection of Christ.

Conclusion

As I ponder these things, I am convinced that we need to return to the simplicity of the gospel. The early church understood that the essence of saving faith was a straightforward belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. We must hold fast to this message and communicate it clearly in our churches.

In doing so, we will not only preserve the purity of the gospel but also relieve young believers of the unnecessary burdens we have placed upon them. Baptism should be a joyful expression of faith, not a test of spiritual maturity or commitment. May we, as the church, guide believers toward a clear and simple understanding of their faith rooted in the unchanging truth of who Jesus is.

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Please visit Vincenzo's Free Grace ministry in Italy: Gratia Gratis.