Acts 8:25-40 - The Faith That Does Save

Lesson 28

Teacher’s Commentary

Introduction — From Counterfeit to Genuine

Luke sets two spiritual portraits side-by-side:

Simon the Magician (vv. 9-24) — an impressive profession that withers under apostolic scrutiny.

The Ethiopian Eunuch (vv. 25-40) — a quiet seeker whose faith blossoms into joy.

By contrast, Luke shows that true conversion is not a miracle of showmanship but a miracle of the heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, mediated through Scripture, and confirmed in obedient response. Whereas Simon displays the faith that does not save, the eunuch embodies the faith that does.

Luke arranges the narrative around three movements Philip himself models:

Proper Preparation — the sovereign set-up (vv. 26-29)

Proper Presentation — scripture-anchored, Christ-centered (vv. 30-35)

Proper Personal Response — belief, baptism, and joy (vv. 36-40)

I. Proper Preparation — God Orchestrates the Encounter (vv. 26-29)

| Element | Text | Key Insight | | Sovereign Spirit | v. 26 & 29 | An angel of the Lord sends Philip south; the Spirit pinpoints one chariot. Salvation is always God’s initiative (John 6 : 44; 1 Cor 2 : 14). | | Submissive Servant | v. 27a | Philip “rose and went.” Obedience is immediate and unquestioning. | | Searching Worshiper | v. 27b | Ethiopian treasurer of “Candace” (royal title) travels 1 200 mi to worship. Honor, wealth, and intellect cannot quiet his hunger for God. | | Scriptural Word | v. 28 | He is reading Isaiah 53 : 7-8 — the clearest Old-Testament portrait of the suffering Messiah. Coincidence? No — providence. |

Application: Effective evangelism is never random. God prepares the worker, the seeker, and the text.

II. Proper Presentation — Scripture, Savior, Salvation (vv. 30-35)

1. Scripture-Centered

Philip opens with a question, “Do you understand what you are reading?” (v. 30). The answer, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” invites exposition.

He begins where the man is — Isaiah 53.

He explains (“opened his mouth”) — a standard phrase for formal proclamation.

He connects the passage to Jesus — the Lamb led to slaughter, silent before shears, deprived of justice.

2. Savior-Focused

Luke says Philip “proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus” (v. 35). A legitimate gospel presentation must move:

From text → Christ (Person & Work)

From Christ → personal summons to repent and believe

3. Salvation-Concerned

Philip is not content with an interesting Bible study; he presses toward decision. Effective evangelism is information that invites transformation.

Teaching tip: Know the Bible well enough to start wherever the learner is—whether Isaiah 53, pop-culture doubts, or a question about suffering—and navigate to Christ.

III. Proper Personal Response — Faith Acts in Obedience (vv. 36-40)

Belief — Implied by the eunuch’s immediate request.

Baptism — The first outward confession (v. 36-38). The best manuscripts omit v. 37, but the early church universally linked baptism to profession of faith (Acts 2 : 41; 10 : 47-48).

Joy — He “went on his way rejoicing” (v. 39). Inner assurance follows outward obedience.

Witness Spread — Church fathers report Christianity flourishing in ancient Nubia; one obedient convert can influence a continent.

Philip? Swept north to Azotus, then “preaching the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea” (v. 40). The worker disappears; the Word keeps running.

Doctrinal Contrasts: Simon vs. Ethiopian

| Category | Simon (vv. 9-24) | Ethiopian (vv. 25-40) | |—|—|—| | Preparation | Self-exalting sorcerer | Spirit-drawn seeker | | View of Self | Prideful celebrity | Humble learner | | Presentation Encounter | Obsessed with power | Anchored in Scripture | | View of Spirit | Commodity to purchase | Gift to receive | | Response | Fear of penalty | Joy of pardon | | Outcome | Bitter bondage | Rejoicing & new life |

Student Summary

– Saving faith is Spirit-initiated, Scripture-informed, Christ-centered, and obedience-expressed. – Philip models readiness: sensitive to the Spirit, soaked in Scripture, bold with strangers. – The Ethiopian models responsiveness: humble questions, eager confession, joyful obedience. – God values one searching soul enough to redeploy His evangelist from a city-wide revival to a desert road. – Our task: listen to the Spirit, open the Scriptures, preach the Savior, invite a response.

“Lord, make us Philips—quick to obey Your whisper—and Ethiopians—quick to rejoice at Your Word. May desert roads become highways of salvation in our generation.”