Unstoppable! 'The Immersion of Joy' — Acts 8:36-39

Saturday, May 6, 2023

As [Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch] rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.

— Acts 8:36-39 NLT

Key Thought

I have been a child of God for over five decades. I have had a deep and abiding joy from the moment water dripped from my buzz haircut as I came up from the waters of baptism. A confession of faith in Jesus, baptism in water, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit are three parts of the conversion experience we see over and over again in Acts. Sometimes they occurred in a different order, or there could be a short wait for some of the parts to occur (Acts 8:14-17, 10:34-48, 22:6-16). Nearly always, however, all three of these pieces of the conversion experience occurred close together (Acts 8:35-39, 9:1-19, 16:14-15, 25-34). Salvation and the coming of the Spirit brought great joy to the person who became a disciple of Jesus — as we see with the Ethiopian in this passage — and there was rejoicing among those who welcomed new believers into their fellowship (Acts 15:3; Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:22-23). God loves to have a party when the lost come home to him, so there is joy on earth and in heaven when a sinner repents (Acts 15:7, 10, 21-24, 31-32).

Today's Prayer

O Father, thank you for revealing your heart so clearly. I am so glad that you are the God who loves to throw parties for sinners who come to salvation. I am thrilled to know you rejoiced with the angels when I accepted your gift of Jesus as my Savior, offered my heart to you as I was baptized, and was cleansed by the power of the Holy Spirit. On my down days, dear Lord, please remind me to tap into the joy of that salvation. When others come to Christ, use me to welcome them and rejoice with them. I want to be one of your children who parties like the angels when lost sinners are saved and brought into your family! In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Psalm 51:10-13, 68:3-4; John 4:34-41
  • Romans 15:7-13, 16:19-20; Philippians 1:15-19

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 8:36-39 NLT — As [Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch] rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look! There's some water! Why can't I be baptized?" He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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