Ethiopian Eunuch Evangelized by Philip
August 1, 2020
Commentary
This portion of Scripture shows the importance of being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading to be in the right place, at the right time. Philip who was engaged in a very successful evangelistic work in Samaria, was prompted by the Spirit of God to interrupt this ministry and go to the Gaza Road (v.26). Gaza was a fortress city on the road from Jerusalem to Egypt. Traveling on this road was an official of the Queen of Ethiopia whom we know as the Ethiopian Eunuch. He was the chancellor of the queen of Candace. Candace is not so much a proper name as a title, the title which all the queens of Ethiopia bore. This man had traveled over 200 miles, having been to Jerusalem to worship and was on his way home (vv. 26-28). He possibly came from the area of Africa we now call the Sudan, near present-day Khartoum.
When Philip, the evangelist, spotted the Ethiopian reading the Scripture he obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit (vv. 29-35). He boldly ran over to his chariot and asked if he understood what he was reading. God had already prepared his heart, as he was reading in Isaiah 53:7-8. He soon understood God’s plan of salvation, believed on Jesus Christ, and was born again. Philip apparently also instructed him concerning baptism, for as soon as they saw water the Ethiopian requested baptism (vv. 36-40).
Christian baptism was by immersion, and in running water. It symbolized three things. (1) It symbolized cleansing. As a man’s body was cleansed by the water, so his soul was bathed in the grace of Christ. (2) It marked a clean break. At the moment of baptism, a line was drawn in their lives which sent them out to a new world. (3) Baptism was a real union with Christ. As the waters close over a man’s head it symbolized his death with Christ, and as he emerges, he rises with Christ (Romans 6:1-4).
Application
This Ethiopian represents many people today who are religious, read the Scriptures, and even seek the truth, but still need to be evangelized. They need someone to show them the way. Lord, help me to be looking for people in this condition today, and help me to show them the way.
Acts 8:26– 40 (NET)
26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Get up and go south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) 27 So he got up and went. There he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and was returning home, sitting in his chariot, reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard the man reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked him, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” 31 The man replied, “How in the world can I, unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of scripture the man was reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to slaughter, and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
33 In humiliation justice was taken from him. Who can describe his posterity? For his life was taken away from the earth.”
34 Then the eunuch said to Philip, “Please tell me, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 35 So Philip started speaking, and beginning with this scripture proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him. 36 Now as they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, there is water! What is to stop me from being baptized?” 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any more, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through the area, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.