Philip and the Ethiopian Acts 8 26 40

Philip and the Ethiopian Acts 8: 26 -40 by Bob De. Waay September 25, 2016 Gospel of Grace Fellowship June 5, 2016

Philip Sent to a Remote Location Acts 8: 26 (NASB) 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. ) § Philip was sent from a place of successful evangelism to a remote location § In Luke/Acts, angels are mentioned in contexts where God’s plan of Messianic salvation is going forward (In Luke 1 & 2 “Angel” is found 14 times) § An angel will be important in Acts 10 when the gospel goes to god-fearing Gentiles Gospel of Grace Fellowship ggf. church 2

Philip Sees an Ethiopian Acts 8: 27 (NASB) 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, § Ethiopia as considered “the end of the earth” (Acts 1: 8) § Eunuchs were not allowed into the place of worship (Deuteronomy 23: 1) § He was an important official Gospel of Grace Fellowship ggf. church 3

A Narrative of Divine Providence Acts 8: 28, 29 (NASB) 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. ” § That he owned his own copy of a biblical book shows his piety and his wealth § This was why the angel sent Philip to this remote location Gospel of Grace Fellowship ggf. church 4

“Understand” and “Reading” Are a Play on Words in the Greek Acts 8: 30, 31 (NASB) 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. § It was common to read out loud from ancient manuscripts § “Understand” is gino_sko_ and “reading” is anagino_sko_ Gospel of Grace Fellowship ggf. church 5

He Is Reading Isaiah 53: 7 -8 Acts 8: 32, 33 (NASB) 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. ” § In Luke 22: 37 Jesus cited Isaiah 53 as Messianic § “removed” is “lifted up” airo_ -- either lifted up in death or in exaltation (Acts 1: 9) Gospel of Grace Fellowship ggf. church 6

The Eunuch Hungers for the Truth Acts 8: 34, 35 (NASB) 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. § “Please” is a strong word that can be translated “beg” or “pray” (deomai) § The Jews did not teach a suffering Messiah § “Preached” is euaggelizo_ “gospeled” Gospel of Grace Fellowship ggf. church 7

He Is Baptized Acts 8: 36, 38 (NASB) As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized? ”. . . 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. § Vs. 37 is not in the best manuscripts § He believed Philip’s preaching of Christ § Implied answer = “nothing” § Baptism is not delayed in Acts Gospel of Grace Fellowship ggf. church 8

The Joy of Salvation Acts 8: 39 (NASB) 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. § Philip is like Elijah or Ezekiel in being snatched away (1 Kings 18: 12; Ezekiel 3: 14) § In Luke/Acts joy is associated with salvation: (Luke 10: 20; Luke 15: 7; Luke 15: 32; Acts 13: 48; Acts 16: 34; Acts 15: 3) see Psa. 13: 5; 35: 9; Isaiah 61: 10; et. al. Gospel of Grace Fellowship ggf. church 9

Philip Preaches the Gospel Acts 8: 40 (NASB) 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. § Azotus is Ashdod in the OT § Philip is mentioned again in Acts 21: 8 § God used Philip in mighty ways to bring salvation to Samaria and then through the eunuch to the ends of the earth (Acts 1: 8) Gospel of Grace Fellowship ggf. church 10