Philip was one of the seven disciples chosen to serve the poor in Jerusalem. Under persecution by the Jews, led by Saul or Tarsus, Philip had been preaching the gospel in Samaria, a city populated by Assyrian Jews.
“26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.” (Acts 8:26-28)
Philip was supernaturally led to advance the gospel to Gaza, an old Philistine city located on the sea cost, southwest of Palestine. On his way to Gaza, he encountered a royal treasure of Ethiopian origin, who was reading from the scriptures.
“29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth. 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” (Acts 8:29-35)
Philip then heard the Holy Spirit speak to him calling on the disciple to reach out to the Ethiopian eunuch, and fulfill his mission to enlighten him by sharing the truth about the resurrected Christ, who allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross without a word, or resistance.
“36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 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.” (Acts 8:36-37)
As they approached a body of water, by faith, the Ethiopian ruler asked to be baptized. Philip obliged and baptized the new believer in water, symbolically sealing the man’s covenant with God through a public display of his faith in the risen Christ.
“38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.” (Acts 8:38-40)
Once Philip has baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, the Holy Spirit took him from this location to Azotus, a coastal city located between Gaza and Joppa where the disciple continued to preach the truth about the life, death and resurrection of the Christ until he arrived at Caesarea, the Roman capital of Judea some time later. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives and for your servant Luke,
We praise you Lord for his wisdom and for his works through this scripture,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we grow in you through the teachings of your faithful apostle.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your word, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
