Can you explain Acts 8: 26-40?
Introduction. The text in question concerns Philip preaching to the man from Ethiopia. The subject of Philip's preaching was a eunuch of "great authority." His greatness is seen in the fact that he had charge of the queen's treasure (vs. 27). He was a religious man, however, he was lost (vss. 27, 28).
The man was willing and desirous of learning the truth. Philip asked him if he understood what he read (vs. 30). He then asked Philip to explain the text he was reading (Isa. 53: 7, 8). The text was a prophecy concerning Christ. We are commanded to "...be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5: 17). There is requisite teaching (John 6: 44, 45).
Philip preached Jesus to the man. "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus" (vs. 35). Without Jesus, there is not hope (Eph. 2: 12).
There is more involved in preaching Jesus than simply the presentation of the person of Jesus. Notice verse thirty-five says Philip preached Jesus to him. Now notice the next verse: "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?'" By comparing verses 35 and 36, it is obvious to the honest reader that involved and included in Philip's preaching Jesus to this man was the matter of his preaching baptism to him. This is why when sinners heard the gospel they (those who responded) were immediately baptized (see Acts 2: 38-41; 16: 30-40). The reason for this immediacy is that baptism is "for the remission of your sins" (Acts 2: 38; 22: 16).
Conclusion. The man from Ethiopia obeyed the gospel, as we all must (vss. 35-39; Rom. 10: 16; 2 Thes. 1: 7-9). As a result, "...he went on his way rejoicing" (vs. 39). Have you done what he did?
The man was willing and desirous of learning the truth. Philip asked him if he understood what he read (vs. 30). He then asked Philip to explain the text he was reading (Isa. 53: 7, 8). The text was a prophecy concerning Christ. We are commanded to "...be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5: 17). There is requisite teaching (John 6: 44, 45).
Philip preached Jesus to the man. "Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus" (vs. 35). Without Jesus, there is not hope (Eph. 2: 12).
There is more involved in preaching Jesus than simply the presentation of the person of Jesus. Notice verse thirty-five says Philip preached Jesus to him. Now notice the next verse: "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?'" By comparing verses 35 and 36, it is obvious to the honest reader that involved and included in Philip's preaching Jesus to this man was the matter of his preaching baptism to him. This is why when sinners heard the gospel they (those who responded) were immediately baptized (see Acts 2: 38-41; 16: 30-40). The reason for this immediacy is that baptism is "for the remission of your sins" (Acts 2: 38; 22: 16).
Conclusion. The man from Ethiopia obeyed the gospel, as we all must (vss. 35-39; Rom. 10: 16; 2 Thes. 1: 7-9). As a result, "...he went on his way rejoicing" (vs. 39). Have you done what he did?