And now why tarriest thou?
&c.] Though it might not be the apostle's case, yet it is
often the case of many, to procrastinate and delay obedience to
the commands of Christ, and particularly to the ordinance of
baptism: the reasons of which delay are, the strength of their
corruptions, and the weakness of their graces, which cause them
to question whether they have any interest in Christ; as also
fears of falling away, and so of dishonouring Christ, his Gospel,
and ordinance: and in some the reproaches of men; and sometimes
such a delay is made, waiting for more comfortable frames, or for
a greater fitness; but no such delay, nor on such accounts, ought
to be; for it is a command of Christ, and ought to be forthwith
complied with, as soon as a man believes; and to obey it is a
following of Christ, in which no time should be lost: and the
consequences of a delay are very bad: it is a prevention of the
glory of Christ, as well as shows ingratitude to him, and a
bereaving of ourselves of that comfort, which might be hoped to
be enjoyed; and it often induces a carelessness about the
ordinance, and even a losing the sense of the duty:
arise, and be baptized;
this shows that Ananias was a Christian, since he directs to an
ordinance of Christ, and that he was a preacher of the word, and
had a right to administer baptism; for that it was administered
by him, though not in express terms yet seems to be naturally
concluded from ( Acts 9:18 ) as also this
passage shows, that baptism was not administered by sprinkling,
since Saul might have sat still, and have had some water brought
to him, and sprinkled on him; but by immersion, seeing he is
called upon to arise, and go to some place proper and convenient
for the administration of it, according to the usage of John, and
the apostles of Christ. "And wash away thy sins"; or "be washed
from thy sins"; not that it is in the power of man to cleanse
himself from his sins; the Ethiopian may as soon change his skin,
or the leopard his spots, as a creature do this; nor is there any
such efficacy in baptism as to remove the filth of sin; persons
may submit unto it, and yet be as Simon Magus was, in the gall of
bitterness, and bond of iniquity; but the ordinance of baptism,
may be, and sometimes is, a means of leading the faith of God's
children to the blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin;
calling on the name of the Lord;
the name of the Lord is not only to be used by the administrator
of baptism in the performance of it; but it should be called upon
by the person who submits to it, both before and at the
administration of it, for the presence of Christ in it; and this
invocation of the name of the Lord in baptism, signifies an
exercise of faith in Christ at this time, a profession of him,
and obedience to him.
