Background Scripture: Acts 8:26-40
Lesson Context: Philip was one of the seven deacons chosen by the early Christians to evangelize and to serve the poor. Like Stephen he may have been a Hellenized Jew, someone who had been educated in the Greek language. Philip went southwest to Gaza, and then north to Azotus, which is modern day Ashdod, on the Mediterranean coast.
In those days, many of the people with large financial responsibility for kings and queens were forbidden to have families, in the belief that without families they would not be tempted to steal. The Ethiopian official had been asked to choose between having an important job and having a family.
Evangelist Running (Acts 8:29-31):
Opportunity to Read (vv. 29-30). “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” The action role of the “Holy Spirit” is characteristic of the book of Acts. It took real boldness for Philip to go right up to the Ethiopian’s chariot and speak to him, but that is what the Holy Spirit told him to do. The Ethiopian was a rich man, a man of power, and at least in some way a celebrity, yet Philip knew he needed Jesus just as much as anyone else. We should never fear speaking to those who are considered to be important people about Jesus.
v. 30a. “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esais.” It was common in the ancient world to read out loud. Philip knew what the Ethiopian was reading by listening as he read. Philip knew at that moment that God had given him an open door, a prepared heart. Philip, God had arranged this meeting between Philip and the Ethiopean, this is a wonderful example of how God directed Philip because God had already arranged an open door.
v. 30b. “And said, Understandest thou what thou readest?” It was good for the Ethiopian to read the Bible, but unless understanding was brought to him, there was little benefit from his reading. But God had brought someone (Philip) to bring understanding. It was a good question-inoffensive, yet a subtle but a gracious offer to explain the passage, if the Ethiopian official was interested in receiving one,
Failure to Understand (v. 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.” This is a proper question of anyone who wants to understand the Bible. We should never feel bad if we need to be taught before we understand many things.
Gospel Preaching (Acts 8:32-35):
Prophecy by Isaiah (vv. 32-33).
v. 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.”
Fulfillment by Jesus (vv. 34-35):
v. 35. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” Philip effective preaching in explaining who Jesus was like a lamb…preached Jesus and what he had done for us (He was led as a sheep to the slaughter). Explaining who Jesus is and what he has done for us is the essence of the gospel.
Water Baptizing (Acts 8:36-40):
Believing (vv. 36-38).
v. 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? Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still, And both Philip and eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. “What hinders me from being baptized?” This shows that the Ethiopian did in fact believe, and that he wanted to be baptized to declare his belief. He saw the truth of God and knew that it was for him. If you believe with all your heart, you may: Philip insisted that the Ethiopian believe with all his heart before being baptized. In a nutshell, this defines how we should respond to the gospel: Believe with all your heart.
References: Enduring Word Bible Commentary, International Sunday School Lessons KJV 2022-2023