Conversions In The Book of Acts - IIIa

Conversions In The Book Of Acts
The Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-40) Part One

The conversions we have noted so far have involved large numbers of people. The 3000 at Pentecost - Ac 2:1-41. The 2000 on Solomon’s Porch - Ac 3:1-4:4. The multitudes in Samaria - Ac 8:5-13. In each case, the gospel message was basically the same. Christ is proclaimed. Responses called for included faith, repentance and baptism. Now we have the opportunity to examine the conversion of just one person. A queen’s treasurer, a eunuch from Ethiopia. A very religious man, who had traveled a great distance to worship God. With the account of the conversion of "The Ethiopian Eunuch" we not only have the opportunity to confirm what we have already learned, we can also glean a few more points regarding Biblical conversions.

Let’s start with a reading and review of the basic facts related to this conversion. Philip is sent to the Eunuch - Ac 8:26-29. An angel of the Lord tells Philip to go toward Gaza - Ac 8:26 "The Lord's angel said to Philip, "Go south along the desert road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza."’ On the way there is a man sitting in his chariot - Ac 8:27-28 "So Philip left. An important Ethiopian official happened to be going along that road in his chariot. He was the chief treasurer for Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia. The official had gone to Jerusalem to worship and was now on his way home. He was sitting in his chariot, reading the book of the prophet Isaiah." As these verses relate to us a eunuch of Ethiopia, in charge of the treasury of Queen Candace was returning home from having gone to worship in Jerusalem. He was reading from the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit tells Philip to overtake the chariot - Ac 8:29 "The Spirit told Philip to catch up with the chariot."

Hearing the eunuch reading Isaiah, Philip asks if he understands - Ac 8:30 "Philip ran up close and heard the man reading aloud from the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?"’ The eunuch now asks Philip to help him - Ac 8:31-34 "The official answered, "How can I understand unless someone helps me?" He then invited Philip to come up and sit beside him. The man was reading the passage that said, "He was led like a sheep on its way to be killed. He was silent as a lamb whose wool is being cut off, and he did not say a word. He was treated like a nobody and did not receive a fair trial. How can he have children, if his life is snatched away?" The official said to Philip, "Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or about someone else?"’ He expresses a need for someone to guide him, and invites Philip to sit with him. The scripture under consideration is Isa 53:7-8, which speaks of one led as a sheep to the slaughter and describes one whose life is taken from the earth. The eunuch asks if Isaiah was speaking of himself, or of someone else. Beginning with that Scripture, Philip preaches Jesus to him - Ac 8:35 "So Philip began at this place in the Scriptures and explained the good news about Jesus."

The eunuch expresses a desire to be baptized - Ac 8:36-37 "As they were going along the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, "Look, there's some water. What keeps me from being baptized?" Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." He replied, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." ‘ Seeing some water along the way, he wonders what would hinder him from being baptized. Philip replies that if he believes with all his heart, he may. The eunuch confesses his faith in Jesus as the Son of God. Philip then baptizes the eunuch - Ac 8:38-40 " So he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing and did not see Philip again. But Philip found himself at Azotus. As he was passing through the region, he kept proclaiming the good news in all the towns until he came to Caesarea." Stopping the chariot, both Philip and the eunuch go down into the water. Philip then baptizes him. When they come up out of the water, the Spirit catches Philip away. Though seeing Philip no more, the eunuch goes on his way rejoicing. Philip is found at Azotus, and continues preaching in the cities until he arrives at Caesarea.

One might properly wonder why the Spirit saw it fit to lead Luke to spend so much time describing the conversion of just one person. Clearly there must be important lessons or principles that we can glean from this historical account. With that in mind, let me offer some observations concerning prospects for the gospel. The Ethiopian eunuch was a very religious man. He had traveled a great distance to worship in Jerusalem. He was reading from the Scriptures when Philip found him. In fact, most examples of conversions involved very devout people. The 3000 at Pentecost, who had traveled to observe the feast day. Later, we will study the conversions of such people as Paul, the Pharisee zealous for the Law; Cornelius, the devout Gentile who feared God and prayed always; and Lydia, a woman who met every Sabbath to pray with others. From this we can glean the following. Just because one is religious does not mean they are saved! Religious people are often good prospects for the gospel! They already fear God and respect His authority and as such, they simply need to be shown "the way of God more accurately" -see for example the account of Apollos in Ac 18:26 "Apollos started speaking bravely in the Jewish meeting place. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him to their home and helped him understand God's Way even better." Those who are truly seeking God’s will, will one day have an opportunity to hear the gospel and obey it! This does not discount the fact that rank sinners are often receptive of the gospel message (see for example the Corinthians, 1 Co 6:9-11), but good people are usually more open to the Word.

In the next part of this lesson we will turn to some observations concerning what it means to preach Jesus.

God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year

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Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
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