October 28, 2012
Lesson: Acts 8:26-39;
Golden Text: “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:35).
INTRODUCTION. As we travel along many highways, at some point they often merge or come together.After a while they divide again and go different ways.Our human experiences are like that as well.When our lives temporarily merge with the lives of others, we shouldn’t see these as mere chance encounters because God can use them to change lives and glorify Himself.The meeting in this week’s lesson was also providential.God prepared both Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch to meet briefly along a desert a road. In this week’s lesson we will see how this meeting led to one man receiving the good news of Jesus Christ, the gospel, and then taking it back home with him to Africa.
B. The journey of the Ethiopian (Acts 8:27-28).
1. (vs. 27). In response to the angel’s directions, Luke wrote “And he (Philip) arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship.” The fact that Philip “arose and went” demonstrates his obedience to God’s leading. Note: The Lord was taking him away from a prosperous ministry and leading him down a lonely road and up to that point he was not told why.This teaches that we should always follow God’s leading even if it seems like a demotion.At first we might not understand His plans, but the results will prove that God is always right.We are then introduced to another man “a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure.”This man was from “Ethiopia” a land just south of Egypt in New Testament times. In the Old Testament, it is called Cush (see Isaiah 11:11). Today, Ethiopia is known as Sudan. He was also a “eunuch” which refers to a male who had been deprived of their virility, often by castration. Note: In Bible times, eunuchs were male servants in a royal household. These servants were often emasculated by castration as a precautionary measure, especially if they served among the wives in a ruler’s harem (see II Kings 9:32). However, not all eunuchs were emasculated (see Matthew 19:12). He was a “eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians and had charge of all her treasure.” The term “Candace” was not a proper name of an individual, but a term to describe a dynasty of Ethiopian queens. The “eunuch” also held a high position, being in charge of the queen’s treasury. Luke also tells us that the eunuch “had come to Jerusalem for to worship.” He was returning home to Ethiopia after having been to Jerusalem to worship the God of Israel. It appears that the Ethiopian eunuch was looking for truth as he travelled hundreds of miles to Jerusalem to worship. Note: Since he had gone to Jerusalem to worship indicates that the eunuch was either a proselyte (a convert) or partial proselyte to Judaism. In addition, he was probably not physically castrated because if he had been, he would not be permitted to become a full convert to Judaism.
2. (vs. 28). This verse says the eunuch “Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.” Luke tells us that the eunuch was returning home from worshipping in Jerusalem. As he sat in his chariot, he was reading from “Esaias (Isaiah) the prophet.” The fact that he had a copy of the scroll from the prophet Isaiah, which was costly and hard to get, indicates how deeply he wanted to know the truth.
C. The meeting between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:29). This verse says, “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” At this point the Holy Spirit commanded Philip to “Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” Philip was to go and make contact with the eunuch in his chariot. In other words, he was to take the initiative. God was now leading Philip to his specific mission only after he had been obedient to God’s general instructions given earlier by the angel. Note: Before we complain that we don’t understand God’s will for our lives, we must know whether we are following the general principles of Christian living given to us in God’s Word. God will not lead us into a deeper understanding of His will for our lives until we obey what we already understand in general.
III. HUMAN NEED EXPRESSED (Acts 8:30-34)
A. The Ethiopian eunuch’s need for understanding (Acts 8:30-31).
1. (vs. 30). This verse says “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?” Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the eunuch reading out loud from what he recognized as the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Philip then asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading. Again, Philip initiated the conversation.
2. (vs. 31). The eunuch answered Philip saying “How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.”The eunuch’s answer to Philip’s question was how can I understand without someone to guide me? He was freely admitting his ignorance of what he was reading.Note: When we have trouble understanding the Bible we should ask others to help us.We must never let our insecurities or pride get in the way of understanding God’s Word. No doubt frustrated by not understanding a passage that was important to him, the eunuch asked Philip to join him in his chariot. Maybe the eunuch thought that Philip could enlighten him on the passage he was reading that even Jewish rabbis didn’t agree on.
B. The Scripture in question (Acts 8:32-33).
1. (vs. 32). Luke now writes, “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth.” The Scripture that the eunuch was reading in this verse is Isaiah 53:7. Nowhere in the Old Testament is the gospel more clearly presented than in Isaiah 53. The entire chapter of Isaiah 53 deals with the Suffering Servant. Of course Isaiah’s prophecy refers to Christ. This part of Isaiah 53 that the eunuch was reading identified Messiah as being “led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer.” In other words it prophesied how Jesus would be led to His death just like a sheep being sheared and then slaughtered. The phrase “so opened he not his mouth” means that Jesus would not resist or defend Himself.
2. (vs. 33). The passage that the eunuch was reading continued to say “In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.” This verse indicated that Jesus would suffer humiliation and disgrace. The phrase “his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation?” tells us that the Messiah would get no justice and no one will stand up for Him. Then Luke says “for his life is taken from the earth” meaning that Jesus’ life would be cut off from the earth in death.
C. The eunuch’s specific problem (Acts 8:34). This verse says “And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?” The Ethiopian eunuch wanted to know something specific. He wanted to know “of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?” He may have heard this text read in the temple in Jerusalem, but was not satisfied with the explanation. The eunuch wanted to know who in the world would subject themselves to such unjust treatment and then such a cruel death. He wondered if Isaiah was talking about himself or someone else. Since the eunuch didn’t know the answer, he asked Philip. Note: The perplexity shown by the Ethiopian eunuch shows us that reading the Bible alone is not always enough to save a person. Yes the Scriptures can make a person wise unto salvation (see II Timothy 3:15) but it doesn’t always make sense to untaught people who have limited spiritual insight. For that reason, God has provided Spirit-directed preachers and teachers to interpret the Scriptures (see Romans 10:13-17). On this occasion, Philip was the interpreter.
IV. ETERNAL LIFE GIVEN (Acts 8:35-39)
A. The gospel message given to the eunuch (Acts 8:35). In response to the eunuch’s question, this verse says “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Philip “opened his mouth” or began to answer the eunuch’s question regarding who Isaiah was referring to. Philip started at the “same scripture” the eunuch was reading from and he “preached unto him Jesus.” The text that the eunuch was reading served as a starting point for Philip’s message. No doubt he also used other passages from Isaiah that were prophetic about the Messiah. Philip’s preaching was Christ centered as expressed by the phrase “preached unto him Jesus.” Philip did not speak about the different interpretations who others thought Isaiah was writing about.He gave the eunuch a clear answer:Jesus!Note: Philip was not only available to witness to the Ethiopian eunuch, but he also knew enough about the Word of God to help this seeker understand the meaning of the passage he was reading. The Apostle Peter reminds us that we all need to be ready with an answer about our faith (see I Peter 3:15). Some people think that the Old Testament is not relevant today, but Philip led this man to faith in Jesus Christ by using the Old Testament. God’s entire Word is applicable to all people in all ages. We should not avoid or neglect to use the Old Testament in our witnessing. It is God’s Word too. We should also note that unfortunately, the pulpit has become overly involved with current events and social issues. As a result, we need to be reminded of the true nature of the Christian message. For sure, we shouldn’t ignore the social context in which we live, but our message must always be biblically based and centered on Christ. The gospel is not social reform. It is a spiritual rebirth. If people accept the gospel message and be spiritually reborn, there would also be social reform. Without Jesus there is no Christian message of hope for mankind.
B. The eunuch’s profession of faith (Acts 8:36-37).
1. (vs. 36). Now Luke writes “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” As they travelled, they came to a body of water. We must remember that this was a desert place and water was scarce. God was still moving! Seeing the water, the eunuch said to Philip “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” Undoubtedly Philip had explained the meaning of baptism and its importance as a public acknowledgment of faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour (see Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; 8:12). Baptism identifies us with Christ and other believers. The eunuch seized the first opportunity to be baptized.
2. (vs. 37). In response to the eunuch’s desire to be baptized “Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” In the statement “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest,” Philip was confirming the biblical truth that baptism is only for those who truly believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and that He is the Son of God.
C. The affirmation of the eunuch’s faith (Acts 8:38). After the eunuch’s confession of faith, “he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Ready to be baptized into fellowship with Christ, the eunuch commanded his driver to stop the chariot. Then he and Philip went down into the water together, and Philip baptized him.
D. The eunuch’s transformed life (Acts 8:39). Our final verse says “And when they were 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 rejoicing.” When the two men came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit carried Philip away from the eunuch just as abruptly as He had brought them together. We are told that the eunuch never saw Philip again, but “he went on his way rejoicing.” The Ethiopian eunuch continued on his way home rejoicing because of the power of the good news on his life. Through the providence of God, the Ethiopian eunuch was enlightened about a question he had, but more importantly, he was born again, spiritually transformed. With this assurance, he returned home to Africa rejoicing to share his faith. Every believer should grasp the eunuch’s excitement for the gospel.
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