How to Lead a Person to ChristActs 8:26-40

Philip is sent by an angel to convert and baptize an Ethiopian Royal Eunuch.

Although most people living in or near North Africa were brown skinned, the Ethiopian from deep inside Africa is given special notice by the Gentile writer Acts and of Luke’s Gospel.  He is a first fruits of the fulfillment of the prophecy that was written, "Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God" (Psalm 68:31).

1. Who told Philip to arise and go towards the south? Acts 8:26

And the angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 

Angel

In the Hebrew and Greek, the angel is a "messenger," and employed as an agent of God. He or she is sent forth to execute God’s purposes.

Read Genesis 16:6-11

2. What country did the Eunuch Treasurer come from and why did he go

to Jerusalem? Acts 8:27

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an 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, 

Terms to Know

• A eunuch of great authority--Eunuchs (castrated or celibate) were generally employed for confidential offices in the East, and to some extent are still.

• Candace--the family name of the queens of Upper Africa, like Pharaoh or Caesar.

• Jerusalem to worship--that is, to keep the recent feast of Pentecost, as a Gentile proselyte to the Jewish faith.

3. What book in the Old Testament did the Treasurer read? Acts 8:28

Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Isaiah the prophet. 

4. What did the Holy Spirit tell Philip to do? Acts 8:29

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 

Go near and join this chariot

This would reveal to Philip the unknown purpose of his journey and encourage him to expect something.

Are we to walk by faith and not by sight?

[yes] [no] [maybe]

5. What question did Philip ask the Treasurer? Acts 8:30

And Philip ran there to him, and heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 

6. Did the Treasurer invite Philip to sit with him in the chariot? [yes] [no] Acts 8:31

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.

What places people learn from others?

Sunday SchoolBible StudyBurroughs Elementary SchoolHankins Middle SchoolTheodore High SchoolBishop State Community CollegeUniversity of AlabamaSeminary or Bible CollegeAll of the above

7. Was the Treasurer reading from Isaiah 53:7-8? [yes] [no] Acts 8:32-33

… 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...

Sheep

Sheep were an important part of the possessions of the ancient Hebrews. They were used in the sacrificial offering. Sheep and lambs formed an important source of food. The wool was used as clothing. In biblical times shepherds flock would exceed 3,000,000 sheep and goats, besides 400,000 for Feasts.

A lamb to the slaughter

8. Did the Treasurer want to know who Isaiah was talking about? [yes] [no] Acts 8:34

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom does the prophet speaks? of himself, or of some other man? 

Of whom speaks the prophet?

This gave Philip the opportunity of preaching Jesus. He showed the prophecies of the Messiah, that it behooved him to suffer, die, and rise again, and that he commanded his gospel to be preached and believers to be baptized in his name.

9. Who did Philip talk to the Treasurer about? Acts 8:35

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 

10. What sacrament did the Treasurer want to be administered with? Acts 8:36

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain pool of water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what hinders me from being baptized? 

11. What act of faith was required for the Treasurer's baptism? Acts 8:37-38

• 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. 

• ... and they went down both into the water,... and he baptized him. 

Conversion

• The turning towards God.

• Sinners are "converted" when they reject sin and embrace God’s saving love through Jesus Christ.

• People are converted by the influence of divine grace in their souls, their whole life is changed, old things pass away, and all things become new.

12. Why do you think the Treasurer was rejoicing? Acts 8:39

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. 

13. What was Philip doing in other cities he visited? Acts 8:39

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Philip and the Ethiopianhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mesm795ZVk

Featuring Ben Vereen

REVIEW1. Who told Philip to arise and go towards

the south? 2. What country did eunuch Treasurer

come from and why did he go to Jerusalem?

3. What book in the Old Testament did the Treasurer read?

4. What did the Holy Spirit tell Philip to do?

5. What question did Philip ask the Treasurer?

Review

6. Did the Treasurer invite Philip to sit with him in the chariot? [yes] [no]

7. Was the Treasurer reading from Isaiah 53:7-8? [yes] [no]

8. Did the Treasurer want to know who Isaiah was talking about? [yes] [no]

9. Who did Philip talk to the Treasurer about?

Review

10. What sacrament did the Treasurer want to be administered with?

11. What act of faith was required for the Treasurer's baptism?

12. Why do you think the Treasurer was rejoicing?

13. What was Philip doing in other cities he visited?

What is the Good News in this lesson ?