God of the Nations

Introduction

We should revisit Acts 8:31 for just a moment.

How would I ever be able unless someone will guide me?

He asked Philip to sit with him.

How we think about God matters to our understanding of Acts.

God is over all creation.

He intended to give salvation to all humanity.

Isaiah 56 may underpin this account.

Luke may have wanted his readers to hear the fulfillment of these passages in this encounter.

We will see the question of separation or division soon.

Isaiah 53: The Passage of Reading

Luke explains what passage the man was reading when he asked Philip to join him.

This passage has historical challenges.

Philip’s question about understanding was not unwarranted.

He reads from Isaiah 53:7.

Luke includes the reading so the reader can understand Philip’s initial question, the man’s response, and his eventual question for Philip.

As far as the narrative unfolds, we can ignore the quotation.

Yet, we need it to understand their conversation.

Three lines of interpretation existed:

Servant = nation of Israel

Servant = Isaiah himself

Servant = Messiah but interpreted to avoid his suffering

The man knows of these questions.

Philip’s Confident Explanation

Philip reacted to the question by explaining Jesus to him.

He began at this scripture.

This echoes Jesus in Lk. 24 and of the criteria for selecting Judas’ replacement.

For Luke, the reader, perhaps, should understand that explanation can be found in Jesus.

He does not concern himself with the content of Philip said.

Note the contrast with Peter and Stephen earlier.

The phrasing also suggests that Philip referred to other passages.

The Eunuch’s Question about Baptism

When they traveled along, they came upon some water, and the eunuch took note.

Philip’s preaching must have included something about water baptism as part of identifying with Jesus.

No doubt the question the Eunuch asked came from the knowledge of the barrier that castration presented to him for full participation at the Temple.

Dt. 23:1

Both men entered the water, and he was immersed.

Philip immediately departed, but that was no concern to the Eunuch who was now filled with joy.

Philip was found in the city of Azotus passing through and continuing to proclaim the word.