Story of the Ethiopian Eunuch

1. BackgroundBackground
onon
EthiopianEthiopian
EunuchEunuch
Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39

2. Who Was Philip?Who Was Philip?
 Philip was a respected and faithful manPhilip was a respected and faithful man
who was one of the seven deacons firstwho was one of the seven deacons first
appointed in a congregation of Christians.appointed in a congregation of Christians.
The church first began in JerusalemThe church first began in Jerusalem
among the Jews.among the Jews.
 Following the Stoning of Stephen, a greatFollowing the Stoning of Stephen, a great
persecution rose up against the Christianspersecution rose up against the Christians
and they left Jerusalem in large numbers.and they left Jerusalem in large numbers.


3. Who Was Philip?Who Was Philip?
 Christians, like Philip, began teachingChristians, like Philip, began teaching
people about Jesus wherever they went.people about Jesus wherever they went.
This meant the good news of Jesus ChristThis meant the good news of Jesus Christ
spread out from Jerusalem to a wider andspread out from Jerusalem to a wider and
wider circle of people.wider circle of people.
 Philip’s first stop was Samaria where hePhilip’s first stop was Samaria where he
taught many, including Simon thetaught many, including Simon the
Sorcerer.Sorcerer.


4. Who Was The EthiopianWho Was The Ethiopian
Eunuch?Eunuch?
 Ethiopia probably refers to ancient NubiaEthiopia probably refers to ancient Nubia
which is present day southern Egypt andwhich is present day southern Egypt and
northern Sudan.northern Sudan.
 ““Candace” was a title used for the leadingCandace” was a title used for the leading
woman of the country so the Ethiopianwoman of the country so the Ethiopian
Eunuch would have had a very importantEunuch would have had a very important
and trusted position as “an importantand trusted position as “an important
official in charge of all the treasury of theofficial in charge of all the treasury of the
Queen.Queen.

6. Who Was The EthiopianWho Was The Ethiopian
Eunuch?Eunuch?
 Men placed in charge of the livingMen placed in charge of the living
quarters, the harem in particular, werequarters, the harem in particular, were
sometimes made eunuchs (castrated) butsometimes made eunuchs (castrated) but
the term “eunuch” could also be used in athe term “eunuch” could also be used in a
more general way for an official or officer.more general way for an official or officer.
Having access to the Queen’s treasuryHaving access to the Queen’s treasury
lends me to think this was literal for thislends me to think this was literal for this
man.man.

7. LessonsLessons
from thefrom the
EthiopianEthiopian
EunuchEunuch
Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39

8. The Eunuch had a desire to study the BibleThe Eunuch had a desire to study the Bible..
Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39

9. The Eunuch had a desire toThe Eunuch had a desire to
study the Biblestudy the Bible
 This man was not yet a Christian,This man was not yet a Christian,
baptized in the blood of Christ.baptized in the blood of Christ.
 Philip was in Jerusalem, through divinePhilip was in Jerusalem, through divine
intervention, arose and went south,intervention, arose and went south,
away from Jerusalem.away from Jerusalem.
 CONTRAST THISCONTRAST THIS::

The Eunuch got up knowing where he wasThe Eunuch got up knowing where he was
going!going!

Philip arose and traveled on a desert road!Philip arose and traveled on a desert road!

Philip left a highly populated area to aPhilip left a highly populated area to a
deserted road in the middle of the desert!deserted road in the middle of the desert!

What chance did he think of finding workWhat chance did he think of finding work

10. How Far Did the EunuchHow Far Did the Eunuch
Travel to Worship?Travel to Worship?
N.B. Hardeman:
Hoffman
Commentary:
DeHauf’s
Commentary:
Outline Studies in
Acts by Thomas:
1,000 miles
1,500 miles
1,500 miles
1,200 miles

11. The Eunuch had a desire toThe Eunuch had a desire to
study the Biblestudy the Bible
 He was still studying after worship service.He was still studying after worship service.
He wasn’t in a hurry!He wasn’t in a hurry!

He had a strong desire to study the Bible.He had a strong desire to study the Bible.

Are we zealous for bible knowledge or just inAre we zealous for bible knowledge or just in
a hurry.a hurry.
 Often God opens doors to His people thatOften God opens doors to His people that
we cannot find on our own.we cannot find on our own.

In His divine plan we are the exact instrumentIn His divine plan we are the exact instrument
to bring lost sheep into the fold!to bring lost sheep into the fold!

12. The Eunuch had a desire to study the BibleThe Eunuch had a desire to study the Bible..
Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39
Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!

13. Preaching JesusPreaching Jesus ISIS PreachingPreaching
Baptism!Baptism!
 Philip preached Jesus (v.35)Philip preached Jesus (v.35)
• Philips lesson included an illustration from thePhilips lesson included an illustration from the
Old Testament (Is. 53:7)Old Testament (Is. 53:7)
• Most preachers (denomination or in the church)Most preachers (denomination or in the church)
would simply stop here!would simply stop here!
• Philip continued on and preached baptism.Philip continued on and preached baptism.
 Note the honest heart in the Ethiopian EunuchNote the honest heart in the Ethiopian Eunuch!!
• His conclusion to Philip’s preaching was to beHis conclusion to Philip’s preaching was to be
baptized!baptized!
• Today, men find a number of conclusions fromToday, men find a number of conclusions from
this and other passages about baptism.this and other passages about baptism.

14. Preaching Jesus isPreaching Jesus is
preaching Baptism!preaching Baptism!
 What is involved in preaching Christ?What is involved in preaching Christ?

Acts 8:5 - Philip preached Christ > v.12 –Acts 8:5 - Philip preached Christ > v.12 –
they believed the good news about thethey believed the good news about the
kingdom of God.kingdom of God.

Acts 8:5 - Philip preached Christ – v.12 –Acts 8:5 - Philip preached Christ – v.12 –
they were baptized.they were baptized.

Acts 8:35 – Philip preached Christ – v. 36-Acts 8:35 – Philip preached Christ – v. 36-
39 – the Eunuch was baptized.39 – the Eunuch was baptized.

15. The Eunuch had a desire to study the BibleThe Eunuch had a desire to study the Bible..
Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39
Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!
Bible Baptism is spiritual in natureBible Baptism is spiritual in nature

16. Bible Baptism is spiritual inBible Baptism is spiritual in
nature.nature.
 It should not produce emotionalIt should not produce emotional
reactions.reactions.

Clapping/yelling/cheering, etcClapping/yelling/cheering, etc

A number of churches (denomination/non-A number of churches (denomination/non-
denomination) may display those reactions.denomination) may display those reactions.
 The example in Acts 8:35-39 is clearThe example in Acts 8:35-39 is clear

Facts – Philip preached Christ. (v.35)Facts – Philip preached Christ. (v.35)

Faith – Preaching produced a faith-based beliefFaith – Preaching produced a faith-based belief
that Jesus is the Son of God.that Jesus is the Son of God.

Then Feeling – The eunuch went on his wayThen Feeling – The eunuch went on his way
rejoicing because he was saved. We shouldrejoicing because he was saved. We should
possess that same mindset/attitude. Christianspossess that same mindset/attitude. Christians
should be happy!should be happy!

17. The Eunuch had a desire to study the BibleThe Eunuch had a desire to study the Bible..
Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39
Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!
Bible Baptism is spiritual in natureBible Baptism is spiritual in nature
Eunuch’s baptism was immersion, a burial (8:38)Eunuch’s baptism was immersion, a burial (8:38)

18. The Eunuch’s Baptism wasThe Eunuch’s Baptism was
Immersion — a BurialImmersion — a Burial
 Thayer defines the word baptism here as: “toThayer defines the word baptism here as: “to
dip, to immerse, to submerge.”dip, to immerse, to submerge.”
 Note the phrasing in verse 38; “they bothNote the phrasing in verse 38; “they both
went down into the water.”went down into the water.”
 Another common theme for denominations isAnother common theme for denominations is
the have scheduled mass/multiple baptisms.the have scheduled mass/multiple baptisms.

Their emphasis is emotional in nature likeTheir emphasis is emotional in nature like
mentioned in my last point.mentioned in my last point.

In every example of baptism the baptismIn every example of baptism the baptism
happened immediately; there was no wait!happened immediately; there was no wait!

19. The Eunuch’s Baptism wasThe Eunuch’s Baptism was
Immersion — a BurialImmersion — a Burial
Consider Acts 22:16:Consider Acts 22:16:
““Why wait any longer” (NCV)Why wait any longer” (NCV)
““Why tarriest thou” (KJV)Why tarriest thou” (KJV)
““What are you waiting for” (NIV)What are you waiting for” (NIV)
““Why wait any longer” (Good News Bible)Why wait any longer” (Good News Bible)
““And now why delay” (Weymouth NT)And now why delay” (Weymouth NT)
In Acts 8; the Eunuch immediately desired toIn Acts 8; the Eunuch immediately desired to
be baptized. There was no wait!be baptized. There was no wait!

20. The Eunuch had a desire to study the BibleThe Eunuch had a desire to study the Bible..
Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39
Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!
Bible Baptism is spiritual in nature; not emotionalBible Baptism is spiritual in nature; not emotional
Eunuch’s baptism was immersion, a burial (8:38)Eunuch’s baptism was immersion, a burial (8:38)

21. BaptismBaptism StandsStands BetweenBetween::
TheThe
SinnSinn
erer
andand
……
 SALVATIONSALVATION (Mk 16:16)(Mk 16:16)
 REMISSION OF SINSREMISSION OF SINS (Acts 2:38)(Acts 2:38)
 WASHING AWAY OF SINSWASHING AWAY OF SINS (Acts 22:16)(Acts 22:16)
 THE DEATH OF CHRISTTHE DEATH OF CHRIST (Romans 6:3)(Romans 6:3)
 THE PUTTING ON OF CHRISTTHE PUTTING ON OF CHRIST (Gal. 3:27)(Gal. 3:27)
 THE BODY OF CHRISTTHE BODY OF CHRIST (1 Cor. 12:13)(1 Cor. 12:13)