INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. The Ethiopian’s Authority
2. The Ethiopian’s Ambassador
3. The Ethiopian’s Announcement
Introductory Remarks.
1. Today's lesson will discuss the theme: “The Ethiopian’s Conversion.” We will focus on the man’s character, particularly his remarkable willingness to receive guidance, and then, finally, his conversion as a result of Philip’s preaching of Christ to him in his chariot on the road to Gaza. Let’s be clear: the man of God who is “filled with the Holy Spirit, wisdom and faith” can speak to multitudes and one person. God will commission Philip to go down to Gaza, meet a man, and preach Christ unto him. And he will do this with great success. This lesson will speak to the divine hand of God in conversion and illustrate the two components of the “new birth” in real-time.
2. First, we will consider the Ethiopian’s authority and his position under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. Luke informs us: “that he was (an) eunuch of great authority, and had charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read(ing) Esaias the prophet,” Acts 8:27-28. Until this point, the gospel was preached to the poor and ordinary people, just as Jesus had announced in Jerusalem, Judaea, and Samaria. Now, the Holy Spirit is reaching out to this man (probably a proselyte), one of great authority, through Philip, the evangelist, to proclaim the gospel of Christ unto him and eventually unto Africa.
3. Second, we will notice the Ethiopian ambassador, as it is seen through the life of Philip the Evangelist. Paul called himself, and those who preach Christ “ambassadors for Christ,” 1 Corinthians 5:20. Ambassadors are men sent to “preach a message of reconciliation; a message of peace and glad tidings of good things,” Romans 10:13. They are men carrying the terms of pardon and the conditions of peace with God. However, Jesus described the Pharisees and Scribes as “blind guides.” He said: “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind both shall fall into the ditch,” Matthew 15:14. Philip, a shining example of an ambassador for Christ, was sent to “guide” this treasurer into understanding Isaiah’s messiah to convert him to Christ.
4. Finally, we will address the Ethiopian’s announcement, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” Acts 8:37. This Ethiopian treasurer arrived at this conclusion due to Philip’s preaching to him from the Prophet Esaias. We will carefully note all that leads to his announcement or confession of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Philip will preach Christ from Isaiah the prophet. He will cut Jesus out of the book. We won’t spend much time dealing with his sermon, as we discussed it in another lesson called “In Search of a Man.” Today, Philip’s preaching from the book of Isaiah is sufficient, which leads to the Ethiopian’s conversion to Christ. With this short introduction, let’s consider our first point: the Ethiopian authority.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE ETHIOPIAN’S AUTHORITY
A. Angel of the Lord. Our lesson begins with the angel of the Lord speaking to Philip. Notice: “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert,” Acts 8:26. Let’s notice the setting.
1. Peter and John just left Samaria, returning to Jerusalem.
2. Philip fully engages in a “gospel meeting” in Samaria. These new converts had just received the “Holy Ghost” or “spiritual gifts” from the apostles Peter and John, Acts 8:14-17.
3. The “angel of the Lord” instructs Philip to leave Samaria and “go south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.” We hear no reply or debate from Philip. The angel of the Lord was speaking to and directing the preacher in this conversion experience. Unlike many today, which allege that the “angel of the Lord” spake unto them during their conversion experience. This is the beginning of God’s answer to this man’s search for Jesus. This is the divine hand of God in conversion. Notice some other events where God has placed a call for action.
a. Illustrate: Who will go for me? Lord, I will go. Too often, we give God parameters before we can go.
b. Notice Isaiah: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said, " Here am I; send me,” Isaiah 6:8.
c. In Ezekiel's time, “God sought for a man.” Notice: “And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none,” Ezekiel 22:30. Among all these people, God could not find one man to “stand in the gap for Him.” Illustrate: Few Good Men, All God Needs Is One.
d. Can God find one in this city who would “go for Him?”
4. Please note that the angel speaks to the preacher, not the Ethiopian.
5. I believe in the divine hand of God in conversion. But notice: the angel directs the preacher to the man searching for Jesus. Illustrate: In search of a man, God sought Philip; Philip sought the Ethiopian; and the Ethiopian is searching for Jesus. Jehovah saith: “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart,” Jeremiah 29:13. God is answering the “call of an Ethiopian man,” searching for Jesus in the scriptures. God is sending Philip to help guide him in this search.
B. He arose and went. Philip: “Arose and went,” Acts 8:27. David reminds us: “The Lord orders the steps of a good man; and he delighteth in his way,” Psalms 37:23. Illustrate: The blessed man, Psalms 1:1-6.
1. I thank the church for bringing us here today and for this important meeting for the rest of this week, which will help the city's people also find Jesus.
2. one can preach a lifetime about "the things of the Lord;" and not ever preach for the Lord! Matthew 7:21-23. Like many in your community.
3. However, for those who are sincere and desire to know the will of God.
4. He will send you to help (like Apollos) or help you (like this Treasurer). Amen, somebody!
C. A man of Ethiopia. Hear Luke’s description of the man. He wrote: “Behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure,” Acts 8:27. Let’s notice:
1. He was an Ethiopian man of color, like in Acts 13:1.
2. He was a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.
a. Eunuch. It could mean “castrated’ as in Isaiah 56:3-4; however, not always so. It was also used as a title for faithful servant or one of great importance. “Master of eunuchs” as in Daniel 1:3-7. In this instance, it could refer to “Minister of Finance,” Acts 8:27.
b. Candace means "prince of servants." Candace was the title of an Egyptian queen (A.D. 38). The name was not a proper name for an individual but for a dynasty of Ethiopian queens.
3. He was in charge of all her treasures. He was the chief financial officer or Finance Minister of Ethiopia. He was a man of education and learning.
4. He was also religious and educated in the Hebrew scriptures. He could read the text, though he could not understand Isaiah’s description of the “suffering Messiah,” Isaiah 53:1-12.
D. He was returning from Jerusalem. He “had come to Jerusalem for to worship,” Acts 8:27. He no doubt was a proselyte from Ethiopian, like those “in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene,” Acts 2:10. Ethiopia had its education system, religion (founded from Judaism) and culture. God is calling this man for work later in his own country. This nobleman found things wrong with his worship and sought an understanding from the scriptures. Illustrate: Been to Worship; But Wrong.
E. He was sitting in his chariot. Luke points out, “He was sitting in his chariot and read(ing) Esaias the prophet,” Acts 8:28. He was a man “hungering and thirsting after righteousness,” Matthew 5:6. He wasn't traveling by himself or without means.
1. He was reading the Old Testament scriptures. They practiced reading the text aloud (remember Jesus in the city of Nazareth), Luke 4:16-21.
2. Paul writes regarding noble men: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called,” 1 Corinthians 1:26. A “noble” person will do as the Bereans: “These (Bereans) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so,” Acts 17:11.
NOTE: Illustrate Felix and Festus, both “noble men” who rejected the gospel of Christ.
a. Felix sought for a “more convenient season,” Acts 24:3, Acts 24:24-27.
b. King Agrippa “was almost persuaded to become a Christian,” Acts 26:25-28.
c. Many will hear me today and leave this gathering not “obeying the gospel of Christ.”
d. Some will find my words insulting; others will reject them outright—not even “searching the scriptures to see whether these things are so.” We pray God’s mercy upon them.
3. But God will call this man; he will be obedient and become a servant of the Lord in his own country. Beloved: “The heart of the righteous man studieth to answer,” Proverbs 15:28; 1 Peter 3:15. Let’s look at Philip’s ambassadorship.
II THE ETHIOPIAN’S AMBASSADOR
A. The Spirit said unto Philip: “Go near, and join thyself to this chariot,” Acts 8:29. I want you all to see and hear who was speaking and to whom He was speaking. The Holy Spirit was speaking to the preacher, Philip. Not the man in the chariot.
1. We notice the Holy Ghost elsewhere speaking: “The Holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them,” Acts 13:1-3.
2. He is a person, the third personality in the Godhead, Matthew 28:19-20.
Note: Illustrate Ananias and his wife, who lied unto the Holy Ghost; who is God, Acts 5:1-4.
3. The Holy Ghost now sends the preacher to join the chariot.
B. Philip ran thither to him. “And heard him read the prophet Esaias,” Acts 8:30. Please note that Philip, as he was running and drew near the chariot, heard the man reading the text from Isaiah 53. While running alongside the chariot, Philip inquired about his reading.
C. Philip asked: “Understandest thou what thou readest?” He was reading but did not understand the text. Solomon said: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding,” Proverbs 4:7. And Paul: “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is,” Ephesians 5:17. Illustrate: Get a Good Understanding.
D. The Ethiopian answered: “How can I, except some man should, guide me?” See Acts 8:31a. Let’s summarize all we have seen up until this point:
1. First, the angel of the Lord sent Philip to Gaza.
2. Further, the Spirit of the Lord instructed Philip to “join himself to the chariot.”
3. Finally, the Ethiopian is asking for “a man to guide him.”
4. Conclusion: Neither the angel of the Lord nor the Spirit was involved in this man's conversion up to this point. They merely brought the preacher and the man together. This was God's providence.
E. He desired Philip: “That he would come up and sit with him,” Acts 8:31b.
1. The text: “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth,” Acts 8:32-33. This reading was from Isaiah 53:7-8.
2. The question: “And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of who speaketh the prophet this? Of himself or some other man?” See Acts 8:34. Philip is now asked to explain the text to this Ethiopian treasurer.
a. Let’s keep before us that this union of preacher and treasurer was done through the hand of God.
b. Therefore, the message forthcoming will be the word of God. Notice Peter:
1) First, “If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen,” 1 Peter 4:11.
2) Further, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as the Holy Ghost moved them,” 2 Peter 1:20-21.
3) Finally, Jesus on this notion of the Holy Ghost’s guidance:
a) “But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost,” Mark 13:11. See also, Matthew 10:19; Luke 12:11.
b) “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew (you) things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore, said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you,” John 16:13-15. See also Luke 10:16.
4) Conclusion: The answer to this question, “Who speaks the prophet this, of himself, or some other man?” The Holy Ghost will provide the Ethiopians with the answer. Philip’s preaching and interpretation will be done through the guidance of the “Holy Spirit.” As Philip “guides the man in an understanding,” the Holy Ghost will guide him “in his interpretation” of the text, 1 Corinthians 14:26. Let’s see what the Spirit hath said!
III THE ETHIOPIAN’S ANNOUNCEMENT
A. The message. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus,” Acts 8:35. Let me say first if you want to explain the meaning of a thing, begin at the same scripture. Illustrate: Run the JW out of your house. Let them read, and begin your explanation with the exact text. Most likely, the error will be right there in their proof text! Notice Philip: “He began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus.” We must learn to cut Jesus out of the Old Testament scriptures. The entire bible speaks of Him, His work of redemption and salvation. While reviewing his sermon, we find these things:
1. He preached Jesus, therefore “the name of Jesus,” Acts 4:12, Acts 8:12.
a. He was the Messiah, Acts 2:36; Acts 17:2-3.
b. He was the Son of God, Matthew 27:50-54.
2. He preached Christ's redemptive work, suffering, death, and resurrection, Isaiah 53:1ff; Luke 24:44-47.
3. He preached faith in Jesus as the “Son of God,” Acts 8:37.
4. He preached the necessity of baptism (in water).
5. He preached the kingdom of God, John 3:1-5; Acts 8:12.
6. I know we are getting into dangerous territory now, so let me remind you all that Philip is preaching under the direction and guidance of the Holy Ghost. These are not his words but the “word of God” regarding Isaiah’s prophecy and the answer to his next question.
B. The Ethiopian’s next question. Note: “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?” See Acts 8:36.
1. As they continued their travel in the chariot and Philip’s preaching, they came unto a sure water. Please notice what is occurring now for church, visitors, and friends. Old school teaches, “You can’t preach Christ without preaching baptism.” Teaching and baptism are part of the “Great Commission,” Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16. Many will disagree that this kind of preaching is necessary today.
2. Remember, however, Philip is laboring under the guidance of the Holy Ghost! This begs some serious questions to be asked regarding what has just happened:
a. First, who made this request? “What doth hinder me to be baptized?” Was this the preacher or the Ethiopian? The eunuch said, “See, here is water…what doth hinder me to be baptized?”
b. Further, what generated the question? “They came unto a certain water.” Anywhere baptism was taking place, much water was required. Notice: “And John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized,” John 3:23. Illustrate: Sprinkle, Pour, and Immerse.
c. Finally, was baptism a part of Philip’s preaching of Jesus? The Ethiopian's question indicates that it was. The Holy Ghost did not permit Philip to preach Christ without preaching baptism.
d. Recall that in the previous cases of conversions, baptism was “for the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38. The same is happening here.
C. Philip’s answer. “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest," Acts 8:37a. Recall, “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him,” Hebrews 11:6. Notice also:
1. First, Jesus said: “for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins,” John 8:24.
2. Further, Paul writes: “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17.
3. Finally, Paul again: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ,” Galatians 3:26-27.
a. In baptism, we “get into Christ,” Romans 6:1-7.
b. In baptism, we “put off the body of sins of the flesh” Colossians 2:11-13.
c. In baptism, we “are quickened together with Christ,” Ephesians 2:5.
d. In baptism, “by grace we are saved,” Ephesians 2:5, 8-9; Titus 3:5-7; and Ephesians 1:13-14.
4. Conclusion, listen to Jesus: “And he said unto them, Go ye into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned,” Mark 16:15-16. Philip’s preaching was conforming to the "Great Commission” as commanded by Jesus Christ.
D. The Ethiopian’s announcement. “And he (the Ethiopian) answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” Acts 8:37b. Hear Jesus: “Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, he will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, he will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 10:32-33. Philip required that the Ethiopian confessed that he “believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” See also Romans 10:9-10.
E. Their response. Note: "And he (the Ethiopian) commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more. He went on his way, rejoicing,” Acts 8:38-39. Until this point, we have learned what Philip preached through the guidance of the Holy Ghost. As we conclude this lesson, we will notice how one gets into the kingdom of God by the “new birth” which Jesus spake unto Nicodemus, in John 3:1-5. Notice if you would:
1. He commanded the chariot to stand still (the driver stopped the chariot).
2. They went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch.
3. He (Philip) baptized him (the Ethiopian).
4. When they were “come up out of the water, the Spirit…” This phrase includes the two components of the “new birth” that allow one to be “born again” or “regeneration.” Thus, it permits one to enter “into the kingdom of God.” Let’s notice Jesus' statement regarding the “new birth” with the phrase, “When they were come up out of the water, the Spirit…”
5. Notice the similarity of these two verses in English and the Greek text:
a. First, when they come up “out of the water, the Spirit.” The Greek: “ek tou hudatos, [the] pneuma” – Acts 8:39.
b. Further, except a man is born “out of the water and the Spirit.” The Greek: “ek hudatos kai pneumatos” – John 3:5.
c. Finally, the English and Greek languages are the same in both verses. The Ethiopian’s conversion demonstrates the two components of the “new birth,” “out of the water and the Spirit.”
d. Conclusion: The “new birth” includes “water and Spirit.” In summary, then, we noticed:
1) How the Spirit worked through Philip to preach Jesus to the Ethiopians.
2) how was the water used in baptism to complete the Ethiopian's conversion experience?
3) Thus, granting him entrance "into the kingdom of God."
4) And reason "for going on his way rejoicing."
6. Conclusion: Philip preached Jesus and the Ethiopians' faith and baptism, and he was converted to Christ and "born again."
a. He too was granted entrance "into the kingdom of God," just like the Samaritans and others in the New Testament, Acts 8:12; John 3:5. See also Acts 14:22; Colossians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; and Revelation 1:9.
b. He had obeyed: "From the heart that form of doctrine, that made him free from his sin," Romans 6:17-18; John 8:31-32; John 8:36. That doctrine was the gospel of Christ, Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. That form was "baptism," Romans 6:1-7.
c. As I conclude, let me summarize what we discussed in this lesson.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. The Ethiopian’s Authority
2. The Ethiopian’s Ambassador
3. The Ethiopian’s Announcement
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, we considered the Ethiopian’s authority and his position under Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. Luke informs us: “that he was an eunuch of great authority, and had charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read(ing) Esaias the prophet,” Acts 8:27-28. Until this point, the gospel was preached to the poor and ordinary people, just as Jesus had announced in Jerusalem, Judaea, and Samaria. Now, the Holy Spirit is reaching out to this man (probably a proselyte), one of great authority, through Philip, the evangelist, to proclaim the gospel of Christ unto him and eventually unto Africa.
2. Second, we noticed the Ethiopian ambassador, as it is seen through the life of Philip the Evangelist. Paul called himself and those who preach Christ, “ambassadors for Christ,” 1 Corinthians 5:20. Ambassadors are men sent to “preach a message of reconciliation; a message of great joy.” They are men carrying the terms of pardon and the conditions of peace with God. Jesus described the Pharisees and Scribes as “blind guides.” He said: “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind both shall fall into the ditch,” Matthew 15:14. Philip was sent to “guide” this treasurer into understanding Isaiah’s messiah to convert him to Christ.
3. Finally, we addressed the Ethiopian’s announcement, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” Acts 8:37. This Ethiopian treasurer arrived at this conclusion due to Philip’s preaching to him from the Prophet Esaias. We carefully noted all that led to this announcement or confession of faith. Philip preached Christ from the Old Testament. He cut Jesus out of the book. We didn’t spend much time dealing with his sermon, seeing we have dealt with it in another lesson, which we called: “In Search of a Man.” Sufficient for us today is that Philip’s preaching from the book of Isaiah led to the Ethiopian’s conversion to Christ.
C. Review the plan of salvation as seen in this lesson.
D. Exhortation. Like the Ethiopian, I ask: “What doth hinder you from being baptized?” The water is ready; the time is right. Today is the day of salvation. Let it not be said of you, “Almost, thou hast persuaded me to become a Christian.” Do it now; accept the terms of God's pardoning of your sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
E. Motivation. We love you here at this congregation of God’s people and want the best for your life and your family. We invite you now to come and respond to God's love and his Son's death. What you do today will have lasting benefits for you and perhaps those you love, whether family members or friends.
The sermon was updated by Ron Freeman, Evangelist, on 9/8/2024
