Baptism: A private Act or A Public Testimony?

A few notes on Baptism:

Baptism is the outward sign to the world. It is the physical sign that a person is identifying with Christ. It is the immediate sign that a person is to show before the world that he is really repenting and is now going to obey and live for God. Baptism and repentance are both...

•  outward signs.

•  signs that have to do with behavior.

•  signs that show the world that a person is turning his life over to God.

Repentance is a command to change one's life. Baptism is a command, the very first command to follow Christ. Baptism is the first command given to those who are repenting. The person must give testimony to the world and confess to the world that he is repenting by being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (cp. Matthew 28:19-20). Baptism is not an option.

NOTE: Just because a person changes his life and is baptized does not mean he is saved. A person can change his life by the power of his own will, by discipline and self-control, by his own effort and works. To have the full effect of Baptism, a person needs to truly be saved. I would like to look at one example of Baptism.

Acts 8.26-39

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28  Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32  The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:26-39 (KJV)

The above is a great lesson on many aspects. One aspect is the importance of sharing the truth with just one person, and secondly a great lesson on Baptism. I would like to focus on the Baptism of this man. 

1. It was a public testimony of the Eunuch having accepted Christ. If you notice that his Baptism came after he accepted Christ. The reason I say it was a public testimony is that the Eunuch was not traveling alone. 
2. The Eunuch was an official for the Queen Candace, the queen of all Ethiopians. He was in charge of all of her treasures. 
3. If you will notice that he was reading the Scriptures, making it look as though someone else was driving him. 

Never let anyone tell you that “I can be Baptized privately”  or “I don’t need to be Baptized”. True being baptized will not save you but it is the first public step in obeying the Lord.