“Do you believe with all
your heart?”
Acts 8: 26 - 40
The Story:
Earlier (last week’s msg): The Lord
used Philip for revival in Samaria
V26 An angel of the Lord said to
Philip to go to the road that went
from Jerusalem to Gaza
V27 Philip met an Ethiopian eunuch,
an important official in charge of all
of Kandake’s (Queen of Ethiopia)
treasury. He was in Jerusalem to
worship God.
V28 He was on his way home, sitting in his chariot
reading the Book of Isaiah
V29 The Spirit of the Lord told Philip to go stand near
V30 Philip heard the Eunuch reading Isaiah and asked,
“Do you understand what you are reading?”
V31”How can I unless someone explains it to me?” He
invited Philip to join him.
V32 He was reading from Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53
“He was led like a sheep to the
slaughter, and as a lamb before the
shearer is silent, so he did not open his
mouth.
In his humiliation he was deprived of
justice. Who can speak of his
descendants? For his life was taken
from earth.”
V34 & 35 The Eunuch asked who this was being
spoken about. And Philip told him the good news
about Jesus
V36 & 37 As they traveled along, the Eunuch saw
some water and asked, “What stands in my way from
being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with
all your heart, you may.” He responded, “I believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
V38 The Eunuch gave orders to stop the chariot
V38 Both Philip and the Eunuch
went into the water and Philip
baptized him.
V39 When they came out of the
water, the Spirit of the Lord
suddenly took Philip away and
the Eunuch did not see Philip
again. The Eunuch went on his
way home rejoicing.
V40 Philip appeared in Azotus,
traveling about preaching Jesus
in every town he went from
Azotus to Caesarea
Let’s
examine
His Word!
An angel spoke to Philip – no
surprised reaction!
Philip obeyed and met an Ethiopian
Eunuch on the road to Gaza
Ancient Jewish history records
Zephaniah confirms that Manasseh
sent a large group of Jewish soldiers
to Ethiopia to protect their borders
against Egypt.
We find in Ps 87:4, “they (Ethiopians)
have become citizens of Zion
(Jewish converts).”
This Ethiopian Eunuch could have been part of that
history – either a Jew placed in Ethiopia during
Joshua’s time or an Ethiopian who converted to
Judaism because of the Jewish interaction in Ethiopia
Not sure, either Jewish himself or Ethiopian convert
Eunuch was going home from Jerusalem – celebrated
Passover and Pentecost, now going home
“Eunuch” = title of great authority, not only mean
‘castrated’& he was the treasurer of all of Candace’s
(title for queen) treasury.
The Spirit told Philip to go near the Eunuch’s chariot.
The Eunuch “happened” to be reading Isaiah 53!
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a
lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his
mouth.
In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can
speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from
earth.”
As they traveled together, the Eunuch asked Philip to
explain – Philip told him that Jesus is the lamb that was
killed – Jesus’ human bloodline no longer exists – Jesus’
sacrifice was complete!
The Eunuch saw some water, told the chariot driver to
stop and asked Philip what would block him from being
baptized…
Philip stated, “If you believe with all your heart, you
may.”
Eunuch responded, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God.”
They went into the water and Philip baptized the
Eunuch.
When they got out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord
took Philip to Azotus.
The Eunuch returned to Ethiopia rejoicing
Philip preached in every town he went to on his way
to Casaera
God saw the hungry heart of the Ethiopian
Sent His obedient servant to be the answer to the
Ethiopian’s prayers
The Ethiopian accepted Jesus, was baptized, went
home and shared his experience with joy
Philip had an amazing experience – being Spirit led…
Are you willing to be used by the Lord to make a
difference in someone else’s life?