Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch: A Divine Encounter

Today I want us to explore the story of Philip the Evangelist and the Ethiopian Eunuch found in Acts 8:26-40.

I want us to understand its significance in the formation of the early church as well as for us as believers today.

The story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch is a remarkable account of: 

1. God’s divine guidance and direction
2. A hunger and thirst for understanding
3. The transformative power of the Gospel 

Through this Divine encounter we will not only see the importance of God's guidance and direction in our lives. We will also see our role as believers in sharing the Gospel, and the inclusivity of God's Kingdom.

At The Ascension Jesus said to His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end [uttermost parts] of the earth.” Acts 1:8

The church was being formed at an exciting and explosive rate. We see the knocking down of barriers—first in Jerusalem, then in Judea, and Samaria, and finally to the end of the earth.

We see the first-recorded gentile conversion in this passage—the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Gospel is now reaching the uttermost parts of the earth and that is exciting!

The Two Characters—Context & Background:

1. Philip the Evangelist: Philip was a non-Israeli Jew and one of the seven chosen to serve tables (Acts 6:5). He had been effectively spreading the Gospel in Samaria (Acts 8:4-8).
   
   
2. The Ethiopian Eunuch: The Ethiopian eunuch was a high-ranking official in the court of Queen Candace, he was “in charge of all her treasure” Acts 8:27 tells us. He was the CFO of Ethiopia. He was a wealthy and important man and he was on a pilgrimage from Jerusalem, where he went to worship, back to his homeland of Ethiopia. It’s interesting to note that he is a Jew that could not enter the Temple because he was a eunuch. The distance from Ethiopia to Jerusalem is about a one-month journey by foot/chariot—approximately 1000-1200 miles. However, this Ethiopian eunuch went there to worship, even knowing he could not, by law, enter the Temple.

At that time, Ethiopia was massive country. It was any part of Africa south of Egypt. The Jewish population in Ethiopia historically dates back to the Babylonian captivity. No doubt many Jews fled there for refuge. However, Ethiopian culture predates this, and tells us that the Jewish population dates back to the time of Queen Esther, and certainly many Jews could have fled during Queen Esther’s time as well.

The Two-Part Divine Encounter:

• Philip’s Angelic Guidance and Spiritual Direction: Philip was instructed by an angel to go south to the desert road between Jerusalem and Gaza (Acts 8:26). He also encountered the Spirit of God which directed him even more specifically.
• The Ethiopian's Quest: The eunuch, returning from Jerusalem, was reading from the book of Isaiah in his chariot (Acts 8:27-28). It was customary, at that time, to read aloud.
• Directed by the Spirit: The Spirit directed Philip to approach the chariot (Acts 8:29).
• The Angel guided. The Spirit directed. Two differed divine forces at play here.

"Guided" and "directed" are similar concepts, but they have subtle differences.

Guided—the Angel
To be guided means to receive assistance, advice, or information that helps you make informed decisions or choices. Guidance often involves providing suggestions, insights, or recommendations to steer someone in the right direction. The Angel guided Philip to go to the desert.

Directed—the Spirit of God
To be directed means to be given specific instructions or orders on what actions to take or where to go. Direction is often more explicit and involves clear, step-by-step instructions on how to proceed. The Spirit of God directed Philip to approach the chariot.

So Philip the Evangelist was both guided by the Angel and directed by the Spirit of God. These are two specific and very important things we should ask God for in our conversations with Him—guidance and direction. Pray for guidance AND direction!

The Conversation:

• Philip's Question: Philip asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading (Acts 8:30). Philip was attentive to his surroundings, because he was willing to be guided and directed.
• The Eunuch's Response: The eunuch admitted his need for understanding (Acts 8:31). He was seeking. He is weary of the paganism of his culture and he’s searching for truth. Jeremiah 29:13 reminds us that "You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart" and the eunuch was doing this.
• Prophetic Passage: The passage the eunuch was reading aloud is from Isaiah 53, describing the suffering Messiah (Acts 8:32-33). Jesus fulfilled approximately 350 Old Testament prophecies—this is one of them. 
• The Eunuch's Question: The eunuch inquired about the identity of the person described in the passage (Acts 8:34). Of course we know this Person as Jesus Christ, but the Ethiopian did not understand that. He wondered if it were the Prophet Isaiah. Some Jews believe this passage in Isaiah 53 describes Israel but if we read the passage, that doesn’t make sense. 

Preaching the Gospel:

• Philip's Message: Philip used the passage from Isaiah as a starting point to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. “…and beginning with this Scripture he told him the Good News [the Gospel—the Good News] about Jesus “ Acts 8:35. This is the seed of the Gospel. Here, we see the seed falling on good soil—fertile ground. The Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:8: "...Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain..." Peter was ready to plant seed. Philip preached Jesus, the Good News and the Gospel! "...always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you..." (1 Peter 3:15).
• Baptism Desire: As they continued their journey, the eunuch saw water and expressed his desire to be baptized (Acts 8:36). They are in the desert! Again—guidance and direction.
• If you believe with all of your heart you can be baptized (Acts 8:37). This is what Philip tells the eunuch. Most ancient manuscripts do not record Acts 8:37: “And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may...’ [Philip interrupted by the Ethiopian Eunuch!!] And he replied, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God’” (Acts 8:37). It’s important to note that baptism does not save, it’s a profession of salvation. This is the first-recorded baptism of someone from the uttermost part of the earth. We’re only in the eight chapter of Acts, and already the Gospel as traveled to and broken barriers in “Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). That’s exciting for me to read today. I cannot imagine the excitement of those preaching the Gospel in that day.

Baptism and Rejoicing:

• Baptism: Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him (Acts 8:38). Philip did not sprinkle the eunuch—they went down into the water.
• Rejoicing: The eunuch rejoiced after the baptism, and the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away. An unexplained miracle. The only other people the Bible records being carried away are Enoch, Elijah, Ezekiel. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39). 
• Three elements of true salvation: Faith, Obedience, Joy.

Philip's Continuing Ministry:

• Philip's Journey: Philip, after being carried away, found himself at Azotus [a-ZO-tus]—(Modern-day Azotus is located in what is now known as Ashdod, Israel—approximately 20 miles north.) And what does the Bible tell us that Philip the Evangelist did? He continued to preach the Gospel in various towns until he reached Caesarea (Acts 8:40). Caesarea becomes the homebase of Philip’s ministry. 
• The Ethiopian Eunuch’s Journey: Church history tells us that this unlikely eunuch became a missionary. The Ethiopian Eunuch is now the Ethiopian missionary. There are parts of Africa today where groups of Christians claim this Ethiopian missionary as the founder of their church. This too is a continuation of Philip the Evangelist’s ministry and the beginning of “the uttermost part of the earth.”

The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch serves as a powerful example of:

1. God's divine guidance and direction is powerful
2. The importance of believers sharing the Gospel
3. The inclusivity of God's Kingdom— "But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12

The man who was once at a distance, under the law, is now a child of God.

This passage reminds us that God can use anyone, anywhere, to further His Kingdom and bring people to faith in Jesus Christ. This encounter challenges us to be sensitive to the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit—and to even pray to that end—while also being willing to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those we encounter on our own journeys.

What new truths have you learned from this in depth study of ​Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch?