Philip Baptized An Ethiopian Official Without Delay, In Private

Based on Acts 8: 26-40

POY! SKIT GUIDELINES:

In a small group, participants might simply read their lines, or glance at their lines to get the idea so they can speak in their own words.
Most POY! skits require no practice in advance.
Have any small children play a brief part. Most scripts have an optional part for children, listed last under Participants.
Most scripts have a Narrator who should read the script beforehand to see how to keep moving the story along.
It is not necessary to employ costumes and objects, unless the skit recommends such.
It is not required to have an audience watch the skit. All present may participate.
Scripture and paraphrases, if any, usually appear in bold.

PARTICIPANTS:

Narrator
Philip, who also serves as Narrator
Ethiopian
Leftout
Pettyrules

Prompter (Optional). Prompter shouts a brief line and Companions repeat it.

Companions (Optional): children and all adults who want to take part. Make sure Companions know who the Prompter is, and that they are to repeat Prompterâ€™s words.

SCRIPT:

Narrator	Philip was one of the first deacons in the Jerusalem church. He was a wise, godly man. He wondered why God had brought him so far out in the wilderness.
Philip	Oh! That Ethiopian riding in a chariot must be an important official. I shall go join him. Sir, I heard you reading Isaiah, about the Messiah who would suffer for us and bear our sins.
Ethiopian	Come join me and explain what Isaiah meant.
Philip	I shall be happy to explain how Isaiahâ€™s prophecy foretold how Jesus of Nazareth bore our sins.
Narrator	The official slowed his horse so they could talk easily, and Philip explained that Jesus was the Messiah that Isaiah had foretold so vividly, who would bear peopleâ€™s sins and bring healing.
Ethiopian	There is water ahead. Can you baptize me in it? Or does baptism have to be a public ceremony?
Philip	Your baptism will not be done in public, unless we count your horse.
Narrator	Philip was right. Christ and His apostles never taught that baptism had to be a public testimony. The apostles sometimes baptized in private.
Ethiopian	Do I have to study a catechism first, attend a newcomerâ€™s class or wait during a probation time?
Philip	Oh, no! Where have you been hearing such things?
Narrator	Jesus and His apostles baptized without delay. Where authorities are hostile, people can wait to be baptized secretly wherever it is safe to do so. The apostles also tried to get entire families to come to Christ, rather than isolated individuals.
Philip	Sir, there is nothing impeding your baptism, as long as you believe in Jesus with a repentant heart.
Ethiopian	Then letâ€™s do it. Hereâ€™s the water. Whoa, horse! Whoa!
Prompter & Companions	Whoa, horse! Whoa!
Philip	I baptized the Ethiopian, and he went on his way rejoicing.
Narrator	Now let us put this event into todayâ€™s world.
Philip	Sir, Ethiopian, you have a drinking problem. But you have received Christ, and He will help you overcome your vice. If you want to obey Jesus, then I will baptize you, so you can become a part of our church body where you will receive prayer and loving care, and Iâ€™ll meet with you to coach you in your new life.
Ethiopian	Oh, I need all that! Please baptize me, and my family, too. They tootrust in Jesus now. Baptize us!
Prompter & Companions	Baptize us! Baptize us!
Ethiopian	We really need help your churchâ€™s help. I have been really bad.
Philip	Jesus and His apostles taught that baptism is for bad people.
Ethiopian	I qualify! Oh, this is all too good to be true! Thereâ€™s hope for my family and me!
Philip	Our church will baptize you this Sunday; come sober. In the meantime, we shall talk with your family. Godâ€™s grace is flowing!
Prompter & Companions	Grace is flowing! Grace is flowing!
Philip	Well, we baptizedthe Ethiopian and welcomes him into the Body of Christ.Like a newborn baby that needs and receives urgent care, he is overwhelmed with loving acceptance.
Narrator	Meanwhile in another town, a friend of the Ethiopian, Mr. Leftout, has also received Christ and wants to be baptized.
Leftout	I am Mr. Leftout. I have had a drinking problem, and other sins. I need help. Please baptize me! Jesus is my only hope.
Pettyrules	What? Baptize you! Ha!This brash newcomeris clamoring to be baptized!Let me introduce myself. I am Mr. Pettyrules.You are too new in the faith to be baptized, Mr. Leftout. Baptism is a sacred rite, only for those who merit it.
Leftout	But, Mr. Pettyrules, my Ethiopian friend was baptized, and he was as bad as I have been. He told me that baptism, according to the apostles, is for bad people who repent. No one merits Godâ€™s grace! The apostles baptized sinners and let Godâ€™s grace slop over on the unworthy!
Pettyrules	You dare to teach me about the sacred rite of baptism?I have doubts about yourEthiopian friend. How can you be sure heâ€™s saved?Mr. Leftout, you cannot be baptized until youâ€™ve stopped drinking for at least a year.You must walk on the water before being baptized in it!
Leftout	Thatâ€™s not very encouraging.
Pettyrules	So come to church, Mr. Leftout, sit behind the others and, if you donot fall into any sin for anentire year, then weÂ shall baptize you. You see, we keep Godâ€™s grace in a tiny bottle, and must dole it out very sparingly.
Narrator	Mr. Pettyrules overlook baptismâ€™s purpose. Baptism is for babes in Christ, not for the mature. You donot wait for a baby to stop soiling its diapers before bringing it into your home. Now is the time Mr. Leftout desperately needs a churchâ€™s loving acceptance.But weeks go by and he does not receive it.
Pettyrules	Oh ho! Aha! I was right! That Ethiopian was celebrating Mr. Leftoutâ€™s birthday, andâ€¦ Yes, they both got drunk! I certainly am glad we did not baptize Mr. Leftout! Well, he has left the church for good. We shall never see him again! Good riddance!
Philip	Mr. Pettyrules, had you baptized Mr. Leftout, he would not have left the church. He would have done what the Ethiopian did, whom we received without delay by baptism. The Ethiopian knew he belonged to the church family, so after stumbling he came back with a penitent heart, seeking prayer and restoration. Yes, they both got drunk, but the Ethiopian at least was a drunken disciple!
Ethiopian	I knew that God had forgiven me when the church forgave me, and helped me overcome my vice. God used their love for me and my family, to confirm our place in the Body of Christ. Hurrah!
Philip	Hurrah!
Prompter & Companions	Hurrah! Hurrah!

DISCUSS:

What is the best way for a church to deal with a weak or new believerâ€™s vices?

(Good answer:Â Bring them into the congregation where they are receiving loving pastoral care, the Word, and where the Holy Spirit is active.)

Why did the apostles never delay baptism of repentant believers, except to go to their families?

(Good answer:Â The apostles did not use baptism as the graduation ceremony following a newcomerâ€™s class; for them, baptism was a repentant sinnerâ€™s first step of obedience and identification with Jesus. The apostles taught beginnersâ€™ doctrine after baptism; for them, it was more important at first to meet Jesus and obey Him, than to merely learn truths about Him.)

Philip Baptized An Ethiopian Official Without Delay, In Private

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