Today’s passage: Acts 8:26-40
Helpful thoughts:
- The Ethiopian was reading Isaiah 53.
- There are many manuscripts that include (Or exclude) verse 37:
- And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (NASB)
- Please remember, verse numbers were not added until the 16th century.
- This verse is not included in the oldest manuscripts. Many scholars believe that as the manuscripts were copied and passed along, commentary or verbal accounts were added. Whether this verse is or is not part of Luke’s original writing of the book doesn’t change the meaning of the passage or any doctrine at all. Philip would not have baptized the Ethiopian if he had not believed.
- The term “Eunuch” could be used to speak of a government official. He may or may not have been emasculated.
- Ethiopia covered the region of Africa south of Egypt.
- This man was a worshiper of the Lord and knew the importance of studying the Scripture!
- Through these miracles, Philip’s obedience, and the faith of this official, the Gospel was now going to Africa.
Questions to consider:
- Even with all the miracles we saw in this passage, what was the means of sharing the message with the Ethiopian? (Verse 35) Do miracles convince people or does God bring people to life through the Word?
- How does this passage further the promise of Jesus from Acts 1:8?
- If you were sharing the Gospel with someone starting in Isaiah 53:7-8, how would you do it? How does this remind us that the whole Bible points to the story of Jesus? In what ways can this account encourage us to be confident in the power of God through the Scriptures in our evangelism?