“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
He gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him - the eunuch 'gave orders to stop the chariot' (ekeleusen stanai to harmaxin), initiating the baptism. 'Both went down into the water' (katebesan amfo eis to hydōr, descended together into the water), suggesting immersion. Philip 'baptized him' (ebaptisen autō), performing the act. The water by the roadside becomes a place of grace.
Church Fathers on Acts 8:38
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what does hinder me to be baptized? Acts 8:36 Mark the eager desire, mark the exact knowledge. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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