I. As given to the Apostle on this occasion —
Being a Jew, he had been circumcised in his in- fancy, according to the Divine appointment. But now, being converted to the faith of Christ, he must be baptized also, in order to participate in all the blessings of the Christian covenant. Mark, 1. The particular things enjoined — [He must be baptized. Baptism was the appointed rite of admission into the Christian Church. It was enjoined by the Lord Jesus Christ himself to all his followers without exception ; nor could any one be acknowledged as a Disciple of his, till he had submitted to this ordinance.
Baptism however, of itself, could avail nothing to the salva- tion of his soul. It was the blood of Jesus Christ alone that would cleanse him from his sins : in that fountain, therefore, he must " wash," in order to be purged from his guilt : and this process was the work of faith only. And hence was that further direction given him to " call upon the name of the Lord." The Lord Jesus Christ it was who had appeared to him, and had sent him to Ananias for instruction : and it was that same Lord on whom he must henceforth call, as the one only source of all good, " the Author of eternal salvation to those who seek and obey himb." It was the Lord Jesus Christ who had shed his blood for him : and to him must he apply, to sprinkle him with that blood, and thereby to cleanse him from his sin. Accordingly, we find that he did, in the time of his deepest extremity, direct his prayers unto that Saviour, and obtain from him that " grace which proved sufficient for himc." In the discharge of this duty he must make no delay. He might think, perhaps, that he was too vile to be admitted thus at once into covenant with God; or that the Church itself would not receive him ; or that, at all events, it would be better for him to wait for a season, in order to evince the sincerity of his faith. But to no such objections must he listen : the path of duty was plain before him ; and he must follow it without delay, "not tarrying" a single day under the idea of finding a more convenient season.]
2. The connexion subsisting between them — [The direction given him appeared to consist of different parts : but it was, in fact, one single act whereby he was to accomplish all. Baptism, though not necessarily accompanied with " the washing away of sin," (for Simon Magus was as much " in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity" after his baptism as before"1,) was ordinarily, and intimately,
b Heb. v. 9. c 2 Cor. xii. 8—10. a Acts viii. 16, 23,