SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:37
Y Felipe dijo: Si crees de todo corazn, bien puedes. Y respondiendo l , dijo: Creo que Jesus, el Cristo, es Hijo de Dios.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Acts 8:37
Verse 37. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.] He believed that Jesus, whom Philip preached to him, was THE CHRIST or Messiah, and consequently the Son of God. This whole verse is omitted by ABCG, several others of the first authority, Erpen's edit. of the Arabic, the Syriac, the Coptic, Sahidic, AEthiopic, and some of the Slavonic: almost all the critics declare against it as spurious. Griesbach has left it out of the text; and Professor White in his Crisews says, "Hic versus certissime delendus," this verse, most assuredly, should be blotted out. It is found in E, several others of minor importance, and in the Vulgate and Arabic. In those MSS. where it is extant it exists in a variety of forms, though the sense is the same.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 37. And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest , etc.] Intimating, that if he did not believe, he had no right to that ordinance; though he was a proselyte to the Jewish religion, a serious and devout man, and was employed in a religious way, when Philip came up to him, and was very desirous of being instructed in the knowledge of divine things; and yet notwithstanding all this, he had no right to the ordinance of baptism, unless he had faith in Christ, and made a profession of it; nor would Philip administer it to him without it; from whence it appears, that faith in Christ, and a profession of it, are necessary prerequisites to baptism: and this faith should not be a mere historical and temporary faith, nor a feigned one, but a believing in Christ with the heart unto righteousness; or such a faith by which a soul relinquishes its own righteousness, and looks and goes unto Christ for righteousness, life, and salvation, and rests and relies upon him for them; and it should be a believing in him with the whole heart, which does not design a strong faith, or a full assurance of faith, but an hearty, sincere, and unfeigned one, though it may be but weak, and very imperfect. And that this is necessary to baptism is manifest, because without this it is impossible to please God; nor can submission and obedience to it be acceptable to him: nor indeed can the ordinance be grateful and pleasing to unbelievers; for though it is a command that is not grievous, and a yoke that is easy, yet it is only so to them that believe; nor can any other see to the end of this ordinance, or behold the burial, and resurrection of Christ represented by it, or be baptized into his death, and partake of the benefits of it; and besides, whatsoever is not of faith is sin. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God : which though a short, is a very comprehensive summary of the articles of faith respecting the person, offices, and grace of Christ; as that he is a divine person, truly and properly God, the only begotten of the Father, of the same nature with him, and equal to him; that he existed from all eternity, as a divine person with him, and distinct from him; and that he is the Christ, the anointed of God, to be prophet, priest, and King; and is Jesus, the only Saviour of lost sinners, in whom he trusted and depended alone for righteousness, life, and salvation. This whole verse is wanting in the Alexandrian copy, and in five of Bezas copies, and in the Syriac and Ethiopic versions; but stands in the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions, and in the Complutensian edition; and, as Beza observes, ought by no means to be expunged, since it contains so clear a confession of faith required of persons to be baptized, which was used in the truly apostolic times.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 26-40 - Philip was directed to go to a desert. Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity to his ministers in very unlikely places. We should stud to do good to those we come into company with by travelling. We shoul not be so shy of all strangers as some affect to be. As to those of whom we know nothing else, we know this, that they have souls. It is wisdom for men of business to redeem time for holy duties; to fill u every minute with something which will turn to a good account. I reading the word of God, we should often pause, to inquire of whom an of what the sacred writers spake; but especially our thoughts should be employed about the Redeemer. The Ethiopian was convinced by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, of the exact fulfilment of the Scripture was made to understand the nature of the Messiah's kingdom an salvation, and desired to be numbered among the disciples of Christ Those who seek the truth, and employ their time in searching the Scriptures, will be sure to reap advantages. The avowal of the Ethiopian must be understood as expressing simple reliance on Chris for salvation, and unreserved devotion to Him. Let us not be satisfie till we get faith, as the Ethiopian did, by diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and the teaching of the Spirit of God; let us not be satisfied till we get it fixed as a principle in our hearts. As soon a he was baptized, the Spirit of God took Philip from him, so that he saw him no more; but this tended to confirm his faith. When the inquire after salvation becomes acquainted with Jesus and his gospel, he wil go on his way rejoicing, and will fill up his station in society, an discharge his duties, from other motives, and in another manner tha heretofore. Though baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, with water, it is not enough without the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Lord, grant this to every one of us; then shall we go on our wa rejoicing __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S δε 1161 CONJ ο 3588 T-NSM φιλιππος 5376 N-NSM ει 1487 COND πιστευεις 4100 5719 V-PAI-2S εξ 1537 PREP ολης 3650 A-GSF της 3588 T-GSF καρδιας 2588 N-GSF εξεστιν 1832 5904 V-PQI-3S αποκριθεις 611 5679 V-AOP-NSM δε 1161 CONJ ειπεν 2036 5627 V-2AAI-3S πιστευω 4100 5719 V-PAI-1S τον 3588 T-ASM υιον 5207 N-ASM του 3588 T-GSM θεου 2316 N-GSM ειναι 1511 5750 V-PXN τον 3588 T-ASM ιησουν 2424 N-ASM χριστον 5547 N-ASM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
37. The best texts omit this verse.
