*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.
Acts 8:26-40 shows us the importance of listening to God and being ready to share His love with others. Philip obeyed when God told him to go to a specific place, and because of that, he was able to help the Ethiopian man understand the good news about Jesus. This reminds us to be open to God’s guidance in our daily lives—whether it’s helping someone in need, sharing encouragement, or explaining our faith when someone asks. It also teaches us that God cares about every person, no matter where they come from, and wants everyone to know His love.
Acts 8:26-40 (WEB)
8:26 Then an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.”27 He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. 28 He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”30 Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”31 He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this,“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter.As a lamb before his shearer is silent,so he doesn’t open his mouth.33 In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away.Who will declare His generation?For his life is taken from the earth.”34 The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”35 Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus. 36 As they went on the way, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”37 38 He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.