Today's readings are Joshua 2.1-24 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Josh.+2.1-24 ) and Acts 8.26-40 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Acts+8.26-40 ).
Looking at Acts 8.26-40 we see how the Lord has arranged this meeting between Philip and the eunuch, a meeting which will ultimately bring the Gospel to Ethiopia. See how Philip is told to go out into the middle of nowhere for no apparent reason. Once he has gone, he meets the Ethiopian. Had Philip arrived at a different time he would have missed the eunuch altogether. This man was a man of influence. He was doubtless accompanied by others who would have heard the conversation and witnessed all that happened. So God prepared witnesses for his miraculous work of regeneration. The eunuch was reading about Jesus and was already asking the right questions. He was predisposed to believe what Philip told him. And the Lord arranged that there was a good place to apply baptism to this new believer. When on a journey through arid regions you guard your water supply, taking advantage of such places to water the livestock and people. Whether the baptism is by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling (and it is not clear, it is simply clear that they didn't use the drinking water supply carried by people, which could be suicidal, and that they went down rather than up to find water, which follows the laws of physics), we know that the eunuch stopped his progress to be baptized and that it was important enough to stop his progress almost right away.
Having God's name and promises applied to us is critical. The apostles are commanded to baptize people. We should treat this sacrament as it is - God's very command and promise. The Ethiopian eunuch seemed to understand it.
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