BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 14

A Man Along Life’s Highways

Acts 8:25-40

I can remember as a teenager deciding to read through the book of Isaiah. Why that book was chosen has faded from my memory. What I discovered was that it was not easy I thought it would be, especially when the only translation available to me was the King James Version. After reading a few chapters I became so confused that I quit. I could not tell who was speaking. Was it God or Isaiah, I just could not tell. Because of my confusion the task became overwhelming. Having experience trying to understand I can identify with the Ethiopian Eunuch.

Even when I seriously began to study the Bible, I found that I needed to start with the easiest editions to understand what was being said. Some of the ones that helped me are no longer available. The Good News for Modern Man and the Living Bible both aided me in understanding God’s word. Even as I progressed into translations I often used the paraphrase Living Bible to get the meaning of the passage.

One of the reasons we do not feel comfortable and try to avoid situations like the one in which Phillip found himself is our lack of understanding of God’s word. Many of us would have to trouble to explain almost and passage clearly. We just do not spend the time in His word that it is obvious that the Jew and Christian did. Because of our biblical illiteracy the church has suffered in its attempt to face the criticism and to be able to argue on Christ’s behalf. The idea of arguing is to be able to defend truthfulness of the Scriptures against its opponents. Believe me they are increasing and are being emboldened by our lack of knowledge.

Acts 8:25

Peter and John spent time in Samaria reinforcing what the people had been taught by Phillip. They took advantage of the trip back to Jerusalem by preaching in other cities along the way.

Acts 8:26

Following his experience in Samaria Phillip was directed to go down to the Road leading to Gaza.

1. What did God not leave him in Samaria to help the church to grow?
2. How would you have responded to the strange command to leave a dynamic ministry to go to the road that descended from Jerusalem to Gaza?
3. What does Phillips obedience say about his character?

Acts 8:27-28

We begin to see the reason that Phillip was ordered to go to the Gaza Road out in the desert. Let us look at what the Scripture shares with us about the Ethiopian Eunuch.

• He was probably from present day Sudan and not the country we now know as Ethiopian.
• His position with Candace was that of a treasurer. Candace may have been a designation for the queen mother of his country and not a proper name.
• He had been to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home.
• His choice of reading would have been somewhat strange since the Jews did not accept the idea of a suffering messiah.

The narrative leaves us questions about this man.

1. Why would he have gone to Jerusalem to worship?
2. As a eunuch what could he expect his reception by the Jews to be?
3. Why would he have come to Jerusalem to take part in the Jewish religion?
4. What does this say about his relationship with God?

His pilgrimage to Jerusalem would indicate some things about him. Like many he had probably become disenchanted with the false religions that were so pervasive in his country. They left him empty thus causing him to turn to the religion of the Jews. He was either proselyte or a God-fearer. A proselyte would be a person, even though not a Jew by birth, who accepted the Law and was circumcised into the Jewish religion. The person who was a God-fearer was one who did not accept the idea of circumcision or like the Ethiopian Eunuch who because of his physical condition would not be allowed to worship in the assembly of the Jews but believed in the God of the Old Testament.

Acts 8:29-33

Other than the prompting of the Holy Spirit Phillip would have no reason to approach the chariot. Phillip was commanded to “go up to and join the chariot.” When he did he noticed the man was reading from Isaiah. Notice his greeting to the man. He said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” What an odd to ask someone whom you have never met.

1. Why would the Ethiopian have chosen Isaiah 53 to read?
2. Why did Phillip feel comfortable asking the question that he did?
3. How would you have done in the same circumstances?
4. What does this encounter say about the spiritual condition of the man?
5. Why do you think he was he had or had not found answers in his search for a relationship with God?
6. What might this say about the Jewish religion and its abilities to meet the needs of man?

The man then answered Phillip with total honesty. Having been to the seat of the Judaism he had not found the answers for which he was earnestly seeking.

Acts 8:34-35

The question the Ethiopian asked opened the door for Phillip to share with him the full counsel of God. The man asked an important question about the identity of the person about whom Isaiah was writing. We are told that Phillip began from Isaiah 53:7 and taught him about Jesus.

1. Why could the Jews not explain this passage to the Ethiopian?
2. What was Phillip able to tell him?
3. How could he go about convincing this man that Jesus was the fulfillment of this Scripture?
4. If this was the beginning point of his teaching what other evidences could Phillip use from the Old Testament?

Acts 8:36-39

1. What was the reaction to the teaching of Phillip?
2. How did the Ethiopian know about baptism? All proselytes would have been baptized into the Jewish faith.
3. What further explanation was needed before the Ethiopian could be baptized?
4. What was his response that convinced Phillip that the man was truly a candidate for baptism?
5. If you were to judge what took place there in the desert would conclude that the new found faith was based on fact or emotion? Why do you answer the question in the way you did?
6. What was the reaction of the man after being baptized?

Acts 8:40

Once again we see that Phillip’s task was complete as he was snatched away and found himself in Azotus. He continued from that point and preached all the way over to Caesarea.

Thoughts to contemplate over the next week

1. How would you react if confronted with a like unexpected situation?
2. What are doing in your life that will prepare you for some a time?
3. Do you see yourself more like the Ethiopian with more questions than answers or Phillip who was able to answer the questions because he was prepared both in knowledge and sensitivity to the Spirit?
4. Look for someone who might begin to mentor you if you believe that you need to grow in your relationship with Christ?

As a church we need to take seriously the responsibility of discipleship. We should never want to leave anyone in the position of the Ethiopian who left a time of worship in Jerusalem without the answers to life’s questions. We can accomplish this kind of discipleship by providing solid Bible teaching in on campus and off campus small groups. Those who are wise and mature in their faith should be willing to mentor those who need to grow in the faith. What would our church look like if this was one of the essentials to be addressed by all of us? We could then turn loose on the world Stephens and Phillips to be able to give answers for the fact of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. Are each of us ready to get in line to go to Samaria, Gaza, Azotus and Caesarea?

Other Notes:

RT-A person may go to the very seat of a religion and still come away spiritually empty. A religion can never satisfy the void in one’s life. It will always leave one famished and thirsty. Only when he has the truth come alive as revealed in God’s word can he experience the fulfillment which comes to him in Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:26-31)

C-After the events in Samaria Philip was directed by an angel to go to the road between Jerusalem and Gaza. There he encountered the Ethiopian eunuch who was reading from the book of Isaiah as he travelled, having come from worshipping in Jerusalem. Philip was told to go up to the man’s chariot where he began a conversation with the man by asking him what he was reading and did he understand it. The eunuch invited Philip into the chariot. Philip then explained the passage from Isaiah as it related to Jesus. Upon hearing the interpretation the eunuch wanted to be baptized having become a believer. He was baptized by Philip and went on his way home a new man. (Acts 8:26-38)

DM-Phillip was obedient to the instructions of the angel. He encountered the Ethiopian. He was the right man for the right time. Because of his knowledge of the Old Testament prophecy he was able to answer the questions in way that led the Ethiopian to receive Christ. (Acts 8:26-38)

DM-As important as it was for Phillip to be there on the Gaza Road, God was already preparing the heart and mind of the Ethiopian to hear what Phillip would share with him. He:

1. Had already been to Jerusalem to worship.
2. Was reading from the book of Isaiah about the suffering of the Messiah.
3. Was open to the interpretation of the Scripture given by Phillip.
4. Believed in Christ and was baptized.
5. Went on his way rejoicing at his new found faith.

(Acts 8:26-38)

S-Philip was sent down to Gaza. There he would encounter the Ethiopian. By this act of faith he was able to lead the Ethiopian to the Lord. (Acts 8:26-38)

OC-The Ethiopian eunuch had been to the very center of the Jewish religion. He came away from Jerusalem with questions unanswered that is until he met up with Philip, one of the seven deacons. Turning to the passage the eunuch was reading he used it to lead him onto the path to a new life. (Acts 8:27-37)

GC-People are to receive guidance in a way that they will understand what the Scripture says. This guidance implies a responsibility on everyone’s part to read and study on their own in order to gain understanding. (Acts 8:31; Rom. 15:4)

GC-Whenever we teach or preach about Jesus it should always from the background of the Scripture. (Acts 8:35)

GC-To be effective in our witness we must use the Scripture as our foundation to show Christ to the world. (Acts 8:35)

RT-The beginning point of every opportunity to witness is to be the Scriptures. Even though the exact words may not be quoted, it is the source of the salvation narrative and the plan of God. (Acts 8:35)

C-The Spirit of God snatched Philip away and he found himself in Azotus. He preached not only there but along the way until he came to Caeserea. (Acts 8:39-40)

S-What a way to be sent to a new mission field, Philip was snatch up after the Ethiopian was baptized and was plopped down in the middle of Azotus. He immediately began to preach as he went on his way. (Acts 8:40)

DM-Phillip preached wherever he was sent. (8:40)

GC-We are to share the gospel everywhere we go.                                                       (Acts 8:40; 13:5; Rom. 1:15; 15:19-20)