A Road, a Stranger, a Question
[ READ ] Acts 8:26-40
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
There are many things I find amazing about this account. The angel of the Lord directs Philip, and Philip obeys. The Ethiopian has come to Jerusalem to worship and is reading a prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah. Philip is there and has an opportunity to share who Jesus is. The Ethiopian believes and is moved to be baptized, and there in the middle of the desert is some water for his baptism. After this divine appointment, the Spirit takes Philip somewhere else.
Following the prompting of God leads to amazing things. That Ethiopian would take his faith in Jesus back to Ethiopia. The gospel is spreading beyond Jerusalem and Judea. I can’t help wondering what divine appointments the Lord has for us. Like Philip, God wants to use us to bring the gospel of Jesus to those in our communities but also to total strangers like this Ethiopian.
- Monica Godfrey
Following the prompting of God leads to amazing things. That Ethiopian would take his faith in Jesus back to Ethiopia. The gospel is spreading beyond Jerusalem and Judea. I can’t help wondering what divine appointments the Lord has for us. Like Philip, God wants to use us to bring the gospel of Jesus to those in our communities but also to total strangers like this Ethiopian.
- Monica Godfrey
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ If the Ethiopian had come to worship in Jerusalem, what does that imply?
+ How does the text of Isaiah 53 point to Jesus?
+ How does the Ethiopian respond to the message?
+ What happens after his baptism?
+ If the Ethiopian had come to worship in Jerusalem, what does that imply?
+ How does the text of Isaiah 53 point to Jesus?
+ How does the Ethiopian respond to the message?
+ What happens after his baptism?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Are you aware of the Holy Spirit’s prompting in your life? Are you willing to step out in faith and obedience when he prompts?
+ Is there someone the Holy Spirit is prompting you to speak with?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Are you aware of the Holy Spirit’s prompting in your life? Are you willing to step out in faith and obedience when he prompts?
+ Is there someone the Holy Spirit is prompting you to speak with?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
God, we thank you for the way you use us to share your good news with others. Thank you that You care for strangers and those in the ends of the earth. Holy Spirit, would you help us be open and receptive to your prompting; would you help us be faithful to share the hope we have with others; would you give us divine appointments. We pray for many people to believe in Jesus as a result. In your name we pray, Amen.
+ Pray with me:
God, we thank you for the way you use us to share your good news with others. Thank you that You care for strangers and those in the ends of the earth. Holy Spirit, would you help us be open and receptive to your prompting; would you help us be faithful to share the hope we have with others; would you give us divine appointments. We pray for many people to believe in Jesus as a result. In your name we pray, Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Do you have a story of a divine appointment?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Do you have a story of a divine appointment?
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