ACC ~ Acts 8 v36

HE HAS THE FAITH PERFECTLY. CHRYSOSTOM: And notice again his modesty. He does not say, “Baptize me,” or keep quiet, but he utters something halfway between eagerness and reverent fear, saying, “What is to prevent me?” Do you see that he has learned the doctrines [of faith] perfectly? For the prophet indeed had the entirety: incarnation, passion, resurrection, ascension, judgment to come. If he shows great eagerness, do not wonder. Be ashamed, those of you who are unbaptized! “And he commanded the chariot to stop.” He spoke and gave the order before he heard [Philip’s answer]. “And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip.” This was to show that what had happened was divine, that he should not think that it was only a man. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 19.

FAITH NECESSARY FOR BAPTISM. BEDE: Here another translation, which follows the Greek model, has a few more verses in which it is written, “Behold, here is water. What is there to prevent my being baptized?” And Philip said to him, “If you believe with all your heart you will be saved.” And he answered and said, “I believe in Christ, the Son of God.” And he ordered the carriage to stop, and so forth. I believe that these verses were originally inserted in our version too, but through scribal error they were later removed. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 8.36B-38.

Acts