*Acts 8:26-40
An angel directs Philip to an Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah, leading Philip to explain the scripture and baptize the eunuch.
- Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch:
- An angel of the Lord instructs Philip to go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.
- On this desert road, Philip encounters an Ethiopian eunuch, a high official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who is returning from worshipping in Jerusalem.
- The eunuch is reading a passage from the prophet Isaiah in his chariot but is struggling to understand it.
- Led by the Spirit, Philip approaches the chariot and hears the man reading. He asks if he understands what he is reading, to which the eunuch replies that he needs someone to guide him and invites Philip to join him in the chariot.
- Philip Explains the Scripture:
- The passage the eunuch is reading is from Isaiah 53, which speaks of a suffering servant. The eunuch asks Philip whether the prophet is speaking about himself or someone else.
- Philip uses this scripture as a starting point to preach the good news about Jesus to the eunuch.
- As they travel, they come upon some water, and the eunuch expresses his desire to be baptized.
- Philip and the eunuch go down into the water, and Philip baptizes him.
- The Aftermath of the Baptism:
- When they come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly takes Philip away, and the eunuch does not see him again but goes on his way rejoicing.
- Philip finds himself at Azotus, and he continues preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reaches Caesarea.
8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
8:27 And he 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, 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 8:31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
8:32 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: 8:33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
8:34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
8:36 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? 8:37 And 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.
8:38 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.
8:39 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.
8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.