Learning From the Ethiopian Eunuch

As an introduction to this study, please read the 1-minute devotion 7 Things We Learn from Acts 8:26-29.

1. The gospel is for all nations and races (Revelation 5:9-10).
2. The gospel is for all classes of people (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
3. Without God's Spirit, Scripture is hard to understand (1 Corinthians 2:14 ; John 14:26).
4. Old and New Testaments are about Jesus (Luke 24:27).
5. Sincere seekers find Jesus (Jeremiah 29:13).  
6. Genuine conversion is more than words (1 Thessalonians 1:4-10).
7. Knowing Jesus brings joy (John 15:10-11).  
 
1. Let's start by reading the entire text:
As you read it, note the 7 things mentioned above. Note the supernatural elements involved. Note the things which prepared the Ethiopian to receive Christ.

Acts 8:26-39:  "Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means 'queen of the Ethiopians'). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.' 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Philip asked. 31 'How can I,' he said, 'unless someone explains it to me?' So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: 'He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.' 34 The eunuch asked Philip, 'Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?' 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?' [37] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing." 

[37] Some manuscripts include this verse 37: "Then 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.'"  (NKJV)  

Why is Acts 8:37 footnoted and not considered part of the text in most translations?

Newer translations of the Bible are translated from the oldest manuscripts, some of which were found after the older Bible translations (like the KJV) were written. (See Dead Sea Scrolls.) Bible authorities believe that verses like Acts 8:37 were not part of the original text but added later. Nothing in these added verses changes the doctrine of Scripture. But for the sake of accuracy, they are omitted and footnoted in newer translations. Read more HERE. 

What did it mean to be a "eunuch" in Old Testament times? 
From Got Questions:
"The eunuchs of the Bible were usually castrated males or those incapable of reproduction due to a birth defect. A eunuch could also be someone who performed work typical of eunuchs, although he remained perfectly capable of having sex—i.e., 'eunuch' in some cases was simply a title. The purpose of intentional castration was to induce impotence and remove sexuality. It was a common practice in ancient times for rulers to castrate some of their servants and/or advisers in order to subdue and pacify them. It was especially common to castrate men who tended the royal harem. Queen Esther’s eunuchs are mentioned in Esther 4:4."
 
2. Ethiopia in Old Testament passages:
The conversion of this foreigner was not "routine" in any way. God supernaturally arranged for it to make an important point: His salvation is available to every genuine seeker. Christ-followers come from every nation and race.

Ethiopia was called "Cush" in the Old Testament and these psalms predict that believers will come from Ethiopia:

Psalm 68:31: "Let Egypt come with gifts of precious metals; let Ethiopia bring tribute to God."   

Psalm 87:4: "I will count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me— also Philistia and Tyre, and even distant Ethiopia. They have all become citizens of Jerusalem!"


copyright, 2015, Gail Burton Purath, BibleLoveNotes.com, edited and updated in 2020.

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