A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus
<p>”Philip and the Ethiopian”, Acts 8:26) 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. Psalms 91:11; Hebrews 1:14. 2) And he rose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, and eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28) Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias (Isaiah) the prophet. 29) Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30) And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias (Isaiah), and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31) And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32) 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: Isaiah 53:7; Philippians 2:7, 8: 1Peter 1;19. 33) In His humiliation His judgment was taken away: and who shall declare His generation? for His life is taken from the earth. 34) And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35) Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Luke 24:27; 2Corinthians 1:20. 36) 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? Acts 10:47. 37) And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38) And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39) And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 1Kings 18:12; 2Corinthians 12:2-4. 40) But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. Zechariah 9:6.
Quest Study Bible – Why would a foreigner go to Jerusalem to worship? (v27) God fearing Gentiles sometimes traveled to Jerusalem to worship; even though they could only enter the outer courts of the Temple, hoping to gain the favor of Israel’s God. Some even asked that sacrifices be made in their behalf. Though we don’t know how this Ethiopian might have gained possession of a scroll of Isaiah–a rare and expensive thing in those days–we do know he was intrigued about Israel’s religion (13:50). But he was excluded for two reasons: not only was he a foreigner, he was also a eunuch (Deuteronomy 23:1). He could only stand in the outer court hoping for a glimpse inside. However, Isaiah’s prophecy offered a way inside. Philip explained about the Suffering Servant–Jesus. God had already prepared his heart. He quickly accepted the Truth of the Gospel and asked to be baptized. Surprisingly, they found water in the desert, and Philip baptized him. (vv36-38). v39-40, What happened when the Spirit suddenly took Philip away? The unusual language (or explanation) has led some to think this was a miracle that instantly transported Philip from one place to another. Just as the risen Christ appeared and then suddenly disappeared (1:9; Luke 24:51), perhaps the same mysterious, earth-defying power was also at work in Philip. However it happened; God brought Phillip to another place. Amen.
More to come and God Bless You.
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