ACTS 8. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Well good morning, I’m excited this morning as we have the priviledge of having a church baptism this morning. I’m excited as 12 young men and women have given their hearts to the Lord, and will publically affirm this profession of faith by being baptized this morning.

But as we get started I want to just share kind of the order of the morning. First, we’re going to look at scripture, and I’m going to share the why’s behind baptism and also share a story in scripture of a believer being baptized. But today’s message will also be a little shorter than normal, just so you’re aware. And then afterwards we’ll celebrate with those being baptized as they publically acknowledge their faith in Christ this morning. But as we get started, let’s go to the Lord in Prayer.

Pray

As we start out this morning, I just want to take a few minutes and discuss why we baptize. Now we don’t have slides up this morning? (maybe, maybe not)

But just for the next few moments, let’s look at the premise for baptism.

1. Baptism shows others you’ve given your life to Christ.

In acts 10:47, we see Peter with a group of new believer, these new converts have already been born again or what some would call regeneration. “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”

So we see that baptism is not what saves you, instead receiving the Holy Spirit by repenting of your sins, and accepting Christ into your heart is what saves you.

2. We baptize to follow the Example of Jesus.

Matthew 3:13- 17 says: 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

3. We baptize because the bible tells us to.

Matthew 28:19 says: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

So we see 3 very specific reasons for why we baptized. And we realize that the water symbolizes us being cleansed from our sins. But I want to show us a very specific story in scripture, where we see baptism taking place. If you have your bibles, turn with me to Acts, Ch 6. As we’re introduced to a man named Philip.

The Bible says. Acts 6:3-4 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

So we see here that Philip is chosen as one of 7, including Stephen who would go on to be stoned and martyred for his faith. But despite the persecution of the earlier Christians, we see that Philip is obedient to the calling and soon finds himself in Samaria.

We find later in scripture, that Philip would initially be sent to Samaria. Samaria being the large captical city of the Northern Kingdom of Isreal, and a place that was fertilce for advancing the gospel as it was full of both jews and gentiles.

The bible begins to explain that Philips sole mission was to reach the lost. We’re told: Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even with a man named Simon, who practiced magic and occult activities… we see that Philip offered the truth and Simons heart was transformed

You see the first character that we come across is Philip who, despite the persecution of time is committed to advancing the gospel. Philip is the first missionary named in scripture and the first to be given the title of “evangelist.”

But after being introduced to Philip, we then get to our second character who is prominent in stature. Someone of great influence, and wealth, who despite his affluential role, finds himself in a similar predicament to the Simon the Sorcerer, as, at the end of the day… this character, the Ethiopian Eunech realizes he needs hope; He needs a savior.

You see, we’re not given a ton of details about this mans life, we don’t know about his past, his hurts, his family situation or any other details… but what we do know is that God is moving in his heart. You see, he’s going to Jerusalem to worship the Lord… but a key distinction that I want us to catch is that he didn’t realize that Jesus had already come, and given his life upon the cross for the forgiveness of our sins…. And so, what I want us to catch is that the Ethiopian Eunech is searching, he’s looking for answers, he’s looking for hope… and God is working in his heart.

You see, when it comes to someone accepting Christ as their savior, sometimes, we can be quick to forget that God is already working in this persons heart, that he’s already transforming the person and nudging them…

And so, at the intersection between Philip, this Godly man, this evangelist who is serving the Lord… and The Ethiopian Eunuch, we have a road, that God has brought together, with a very specific purpose in mind.

The bible tells us:

26 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[a] 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.

Now there are a number of truths that we could glean from this scripture. First, we see that the angel of the Lord speaks to Philip, next we see Philip is obedient to the commission given to him. And still later we see that the Holy Spirit tells Philip to go to a specific Chariot.

We also see in this moment however the Eunech, who is reading the scripture, who is seeking answers… and at this exact moment, just by accident right? Now, very much on purpose, Philip happens to show up at that exact moment as the Ethiopian Eunech is reading the scripture and trying to make sense of what’s taken place.

You see, the Eunchs heart was moved, God was moving and this opened a door for a gospel conversation to take place. Philip goes on to share the good news about Jesus, or the gospel. which by the way is the greek word euangelizō, and it’s the same root word for the word evangelism, and in this moment, we don’t see all the details, but this man is saved.

From there, they travel along 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

But I want us to notice something for a moment, you see, there was excitement in this moment for both Philip as he is being obedient to God’s calling. To know that God has brought him to this place, where he would share the gospel and then go on to baptize this Ethiopian. You see, not only was there excitement by Philip, not only did he run towards this man. But there is also a great sense of excitement from the Ethiopian. He see’s some water, and he can’t wait. The bible continues:

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. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

You see I just want to give us two brief thoughts. 2 things to kind of ponder and chew on. The first point is this, as these 2 are traveling along in the desert… there’s not exactly In an area with a lot of water… and so in these moments, when they see the water… there’s a sense of urgency… there’s a sense of longing to take advantage of this moment, to not miss this moment, but for the Ethiopian to stop what he’s doing and get baptized.

And at the same time, there’s also a sense of rejoicing. There’s a sense of excitement that we see from the Eunuch in verse 39 as we’re told: “the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.” You see, these 2 did not see each other again. There was a road in life that brought them together, one that God had aligned for them. They both did what they were there to do, and then, even though they don’t see each other again, they rejoice.

In these moments, they both filled with Joy. You see in a moment we’re going to transition to our time of communion. And here’s the key friends, you may not actually be the one baptizing this morning. But there is certainly joy here in the house this morning. There is certainly excitement by those being baptized, but there is also excitement by those of us, who have been baptized… to watch those who will publically acknowledge their faith before us this morning.

So here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to call those being baptized down front at this time. And I too will be going to the baptismal in just one moment. But as they’re coming down, let me just ask us as a body this morning… are we as excited as the Ethiopian this Day? Is there urgency with us? Are we as passionate as Philip as sharing our faith with Someone else? And finally, do we follow the spirits leading in our lives and allow Him to pave the way?

Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.