“As they travelled down the road, they came to a place where there was some water, and the official said, “Here is some water. What is to keep me from being baptized?”

The official ordered the carriage to stop, and both Philip and the official went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away. The official did not see him again, but continued on his way, full of joy.”

(Acts 8.36-39 GNB)

Baptism by water is not a magical transformation. The important things happen before the baptism, not on the baptism. It is a public proclamation of the things that led to the will to be baptised.

Some churches have more involved process to help believers be truly sure before they receive baptism. Other churches take the believers’ words at face value that they believe and baptise them.

To each their own. The important thing is as the body of Christ, you and I help each other grow in faith. And be more Christlike.

Related: On baptism