A Study of Acts: Philip and the Ethiopian
Acts 8:25-40 - An Angel, A Desert Road, Prophecy Understood, Confession of Faith, Baptism, and Supernatural Transport - This passage is a microcosm of the power of the Holy Spirit.
“So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.
Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:
“He was led as a sheep to slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He does not open His mouth. In humiliation His judgment was taken away; Who will relate His generation? For His life is removed from the earth.”
The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.”
Acts 8:25-40 NASB1995
This devotional is probably going to go in a few directions because of the depth of the lessons that are involved so bear with me.
Apparently, Philip, along with Peter and John, were preaching the Gospel in many villages of Samaria, but were generally headed back in the direction of Jerusalem. An angel appears to Philip (NOTE: and not to the other two) and tells him to go south on the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza in the desert. Here’s the map of Philip’s travels again:
This is the journey labeled 2 (the desert road). The main road from Jerusalem to Gaza was along the coast, so this is a deserted (no pun intended) area. Philip has just come from helping to establish a church in a big city full of people eager to hear the word and he is now told by an angel to go into a wilderness area.
The first question that is worth investigating in this fascinating passage is the subject of angels. There are many recorded instances of angels visiting people in both the Old and New Testaments. Do angels appear to people today? Let’s look at Gotquestions.org for some good answers:
The first appearance of angels in the Bible is in Genesis 3:24, when Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden. God placed cherubim to block the entrance with a flaming sword. The next angelic appearance is in Genesis 16:7, about 1,900 years later. Hagar, the Egyptian servant who bore Ishmael to Abraham, was instructed by an angel to return and submit to her mistress, Sarai. Abraham was visited by God and two angels in Genesis 18:2, when God informed him of the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The same two angels visited Lot and instructed him to escape the city with his family before it was destroyed (Genesis 19:1-11). The angels in this case also displayed supernatural power by blinding the wicked men who were threatening Lot.
When Jacob saw a multitude of angels (Genesis 32:1), he immediately recognized them as the army of God. In Numbers 22:22, an angel confronted the disobedient prophet Balaam, but Balaam did not see the angel at first, although his donkey did. Mary received a visit from an angel who told her that she would be the mother of the Messiah, and Joseph was warned by an angel to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt to protect them from Herod’s edict (Matthew 2:13). When angels appear, those who see them are often struck with fear (Judges 6:22; 1 Chronicles 21:30; Matthew 28:5). Angels deliver messages from God and do His bidding, sometimes by supernatural means. In every case, the angels point people to God and give the glory to Him. Holy angels refuse to be worshiped (Revelation 22:8-9).
According to modern reports, angelic visitations come in a variety of forms. In some cases, a stranger prevents serious injury or death and then mysteriously disappears. In other cases, a winged or white-clothed being is seen momentarily and is then gone. The person who sees the angel is often left with a feeling of peace and assurance of God’s presence. This type of visitation seems to agree with the biblical pattern as seen in Acts 27:23.
Another type of visitation that is sometimes reported today is the “angel choir” type. In Luke 2:13, the shepherds were visited by a heavenly choir as they were told of the birth of Jesus. Some people have reported similar experiences in places of worship. This experience does not fit the model so well, as it typically serves no purpose other than to provide a feeling of spiritual elation. The angel choir in Luke’s Gospel was heralding some very specific news.
A third type of visitation involves only a physical feeling. Elderly people have often reported feeling as though arms or wings were wrapped around them in times of extreme loneliness. God is certainly the God of all comfort, and Scripture speaks of God covering with His wings (Psalm 91:4). Such reports may well be examples of that covering.
God is still as active in the world as He has always been, and His angels are certainly still at work. Just as angels protected God’s people in the past, we can be assured that they are guarding us today. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” As we obey God’s commands, it is quite possible that we may encounter His angels, even if we do not realize it. In special circumstances, God allowed His people to see His unseen angels, so God’s people would be encouraged and continue in His service (2 Kings 6:16-17).
We must also heed the warnings of Scripture concerning angelic beings: there are fallen angels who work for Satan who will do anything to subvert and destroy us. Galatians 1:8 warns us to beware of any “new” gospel, even if it is delivered by an angel. Colossians 2:18 warns against the worship of angels. Every time in the Bible when men bowed down before angels, those beings firmly refused to be worshiped. Any angel who receives worship, or who does not give glory to the Lord Jesus, is an imposter. Second Corinthians 11:14-15 states that Satan and his angels disguise themselves as angels of light in order to deceive and lead astray anyone who will listen to them.
Right after my Mom died in early 2007 (this was not long after the Outback Angel event that I wrote about, which was one of the things that drove us back to faith), Steve had to go out of town on a business trip and I was alone at home. My Dad wanted a few days alone to process his grief so he was not there. I was crying myself to sleep one night when I felt the distinct presence of a calming being who lightly embraced me as I struggled in my tears. Whether this was an angel sent to comfort me or the Lord Himself, in any case it calmed me down significantly and I was able to go to sleep. I believe that these beings are real and are sent to help us and point us back to God.
Back to Philip: He instantly obeys the Lord and sets out on the Desert Road when he encounters this Ethiopian court official (who was a eunuch) sitting in his chariot in the desert and reading a scroll of Isaiah. The official had been to Jerusalem and was returning to his duties with the Queen of Ethiopia, as the manager of her treasury.
First, I need to share a marvelous story from Precept Austin about obeying God, even when it seems like a futile course of action (like with this command, taking Philip away from a growing mission and into a desert):
John Egglen had never preached a sermon in his life. Never. Wasn't that he didn't want to, just never needed to. But then one morning he did. The snow left his town of Colchester, England, buried in white. When he awoke on that January Sunday in 1850, he thought of staying home. Who would go to church in such weather? But he reconsidered. He was, after all, a deacon. (REMEMBER PHILIP'S ORIGINAL CALLING!) And if the deacons didn't go, who would? So he put on his boots, hat, and coat and walked the six miles to the Methodist Church. He wasn't the only member who considered staying home. In fact, he was one of the few who came. Only thirteen people were present. Twelve members and one visitor. Even the minister was snowed in. Someone suggested they go home. Egglen would hear none of that. They'd come this far; they would have a service. Besides, they had a visitor. A thirteen-year-old boy. But who would preach? Egglen was the only deacon. It fell to him. And so he did. His sermon lasted only ten minutes. I’ll let the young boy tell the rest of the story…The boy's name? Charles Haddon Spurgeon. England's prince of preachers (Spurgeon's Testimony).
You will never know (in this lifetime) who will benefit from your testimony! Philip sees the Ethiopian official and is prompted by the Holy Spirit to go up and speak to him. He runs to the chariot and asks the man if he understands what he is reading. The man confesses that he needs someone to guide him and invites Philip into the chariot.
Now, a short bunny trail into the question of the fact that this Ethiopian official is clearly identified as a eunuch in this passage. What is a eunuch? Let’s consult our experts at gotquestions.org again:
The eunuchs of the Bible were usually castrated males or those incapable of reproduction due to a birth defect. A eunuch could also be someone who performed work typical of eunuchs, although he remained perfectly capable of having sex—i.e., “eunuch” in some cases was simply a title. The purpose of intentional castration was to induce impotence and remove sexuality. It was a common practice in ancient times for rulers to castrate some of their servants and/or advisers in order to subdue and pacify them. It was especially common to castrate men who tended the royal harem. Queen Esther’s eunuchs are mentioned in Esther 4:4.
In Matthew 19:12, Jesus mentions eunuchs in the context of whether it is good to marry. He says, “There are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” Jesus identifies three types of “eunuchs” here: natural eunuchs (“born that way”), forced eunuchs (“made eunuchs by others”), and voluntary eunuchs (“those who choose”).
Natural eunuchs include those who are born with a physical defect, but they also comprise those who are born with no real desire for marriage or sex. Forced eunuchs are those who have been castrated for whatever reason. Voluntary eunuchs are those who, in order to better serve the Lord in some capacity, choose to forego marriage. God calls some people to remain single (and therefore celibate). Paul speaks of those who serve the Lord in their unmarried state in 1 Corinthians 7:7—9.
Some gay groups argue that Jesus was referring to homosexuals when He mentioned eunuchs who were “born that way.” However, the Bible never uses the words homosexual and eunuch interchangeably. Furthermore, eunuchs are never referred to in Scripture as being in sin, while homosexuality is universally condemned in both the Old and New Testaments.
Sadly, I saw plenty of evidence in doing searches about this passage that liberal mainstream denominations point to the words of Jesus to justify inclusion of any unrepentant sexual sinners in their congregations. One source that I stumbled across went so far as to say that this passage in Acts shows an acceptance of transgenderism. The passage is quite clear in that this man is still called a man, even if he is a true eunuch; he is not of “uncertain gender”. Eunuchs are a unique case and may become that way through a birth defect, through forced castration to serve in a high capacity (tending money or harems), or by voluntary choice. Jesus, in the passage in Matthew, was showing the religious leaders that marriage is not mandatory for every person and God may be better served by those who do not marry (depending on their mission). This, of course, also doesn’t justify the mandatory celibacy of Catholic priests and nuns (yes, I am a Protestant). For an excellent story about voluntary celibacy to avoid sin, I highly recommend Holy Sexuality and Sin by Christopher Yuan.
Back to the passage: Philip sees that the man is reading Isaiah 53 and the passage the Ethiopian quotes is Isaiah 53:7-8. Isaiah 53 happens to be the remarkable prophecy about the Messiah. God does nothing that is coincidence - Philip arrives at the chariot at just the right time to tell this man about Jesus, following through on the prophecy in Isaiah. This commentary from Enduring Word is so good:
So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
He was led as sheep to the slaughter: In God’s wonderful planning, the Ethiopian was reading the amazing and specific prophecies in Isaiah 53 describing the sacrificial, sin-bearing work of the Messiah to come.
I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man? Regarding this passage from Isaiah 53:7-8, the Jews of that day had different ways they understood the identity of this suffering servant.
Some thought the suffering servant was the nation of Israel itself, as Israel had suffered greatly in wars, exile, and persecution.
Some thought the suffering servant was Isaiah writing about himself.
Some thought the suffering servant was the Messiah, but they found this hard to accept, because they didn’t want to think of the Messiah suffering.
Beginning at this Scripture: Philip talked about more than this passage from Isaiah, but he started there. He began at common ground with the Ethiopian, but made his way to talking about Jesus. It was easy to talk about Jesus beginning at this Scripture.
Because the whole Bible points to Jesus in one way or another, we really can begin at any passage and find where it leads to Jesus.
Preached Jesus to him: Philip’s effective preaching consisted in explaining who Jesus was (like a lamb… preached Jesus) and what He has 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.
Too many preachers today focus on what we must do for God, but the gospel begins with and is founded upon what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
Philip preached Christ in Samaria (Acts 8:5) and he preached Jesus to this Ethiopian. We can be sure it was the same Jesus he preached in Jerusalem. He didn’t need a different Jesus or a different message for different audiences.
The Ethiopian listens to Philip, but his heart is changed by the Holy Spirit. Philip most likely mentioned baptism as a way to publicly demonstrate your faith in Jesus. The Ethiopian points to a water source and asks about baptism. Philip tells him that if he believes with all of his heart, then he may be baptized. The Ethiopian replies that he confesses that he believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Again, from Enduring Word:
And the eunuch said: The Ethiopian himself was ready to respond to the gospel. This was a work of the Holy Spirit, not a tribute to Philip’s salesmanship.
See, here is water. 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.
“Maybe Philip even ended his explanation of the gospel with an appeal for baptism like Peter did at Pentecost.” (R. Kent Hughes)
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 describes how we should respond to the gospel: Believe with all your heart.
The devil himself has the faith of the head, but he hates the truth in his heart. God wants His truth not only in our heads, but also in our hearts. We may intellectually know that Jesus died for the sins of the world, but do we know in our hearts that He died to cleanse our sins?
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God: This confession of faith, taken in all that it means, is the essential belief for anyone who will come to God. We must believe in the person of Jesus, in all that He is and has done as Christ. We must believe that He is the Divine Son, and that He is the Son of God sent from the Father to accomplish the salvation of all those who will believe with all their hearts.
When the Ethiopian said “Jesus Christ,” he confessed that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ). He agreed with his mind and heart that Jesus is the sin-bearing servant that Isaiah described and Jesus fulfilled.
The chariot stops and Philip baptizes the Ethiopian. Suddenly, Philip disappears, but the Ethiopian goes on his way rejoicing. Instead of focusing on the fact that this man is a eunuch (as some do these days to justify heresies concerning sexual immorality in their churches), we should rejoice instead that this influential man will now bring the Gospel to Africa. Almost 70% of the population of Ethiopia today is Christian, according to Wikipedia, and the established Christian church in that country is one of the oldest in the world.
So the last little tidbit in this passage is the fact that Philip suddenly disappears, like he used a Star Trek transporter, and finds himself in Azotus, now known as Ashdod (number 3 on the map included above). Philip is not frightened by this supernatural transport to another location, but keeps preaching the Gospel where he is planted and continues to travel north to Caesarea. Nothing is impossible for God! I’ll end this with a short list of ways in which Philip was effective in spreading the Good News, from Precept Austin, quoting Bruce Barton:
Be where God wants you (Acts 8:26–30, 39). God set up the appointment, timed the arrival of the Ethiopian, and told Philip which chariot and what to do.
Be watching the people around you (Acts 8:27, 32, 34). God will help you to perceive who will be receptive.
Be ready to adapt yourself to where others are (Acts 8:35–36). Philip began where the man was, then directly and clearly took him to where he needed to go. This means listening first, then meeting the person at his or her point of need or understanding.
Be bold in telling those you meet about Christ (Acts 8:35–36). (Life Application Commentary)
My next devotional jumps into one of the most consequential events in the Book of Acts and perhaps in all of the history of Christendom - Jesus confronts Saul on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9).
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - Today I pray the words of the hymn “So Little Time” by Pastor John R. Rice (found on Precept Austin):
So little time! The harvest will be over,
Our reaping done, we reapers taken home.
Report our work to Jesus, Lord of Harvest,
And hope He’ll smile and say, “Well done!”
How many times I should have strongly pleaded;
How often did I feel to strictly warn,
The Spirit moved, oh, had I pled for Jesus!
The grain is fallen, lost ones not reborn.
Despite the heat, the ceaseless toil, the hardship,
The broken heart o’er those we cannot win;
Misunderstood because we’re oft peculiar,
Still no regrets we’ll have but for our sin.
A day of pleasure, or a feast of friendship;
A house or car or garments, lair or fame,
Will all be trash, when souls are brought to Heaven.
And then how sad to face the slackers’ blame!
The harvest white, with reapers few is wasting
And many souls will die and never know
The love of Christ, the joy of sins forgiven.
Oh let us weep and love and pray and go!
Today we reap, or miss our golden harvest!
Today is given us lost souls to win.
Oh then to save some dear ones from the burning.
Today we’ll go to bring some sinner in.
Amen
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Gotquestions.org was accessed on 9/27/2024 to answer the questions, “Do angels appear to people today?” And “What are eunuchs in the Bible?”
Commentary from Enduring Word by David Guzik is used with written permission.
Precept Austin was accessed on 9/27/2024 to review commentary for Acts 8:25-40.