Philip and the Eunuch

Monday, October 31, 2100: Acts 8:26 – 29 (NKJV)                   Who spoke to Philip?

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. 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, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

Who spoke to Philip? An Angel of the Lord gave Philip instruction. Also, the Spirit spoke to him. They are one and the same.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: Acts 8:30 – 33 (NKJV)                   What did reading and understanding mean then?

So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 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.

      In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation?

      For His life is taken from the earth.”

What did reading and understanding mean then? Reading out loud appeared to be the practice. But Philip was asked to explain what the passage meant.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011: Acts 8:34 – 36a (NKJV)                   Who was the prophet Isaiah writing about?

So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water.

Who was the prophet Isaiah writing about? Jesus Christ was the person in prophecy. Note that Philip spoke not of himself but preached Jesus Christ.

Thursday, November 3, 2011: Acts 8:36b – 38 (NKJV)                   What could have hindered the Eunuch?

And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 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.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

What could have hindered the Eunuch? Lack of personal faith in Jesus Christ was the only hindrance.

Friday, November 4, 2011: Acts 8:39 – 40 (NKJV)                   What happened next to Philip?

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. But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

What happened next to Philip? The Spirit ‘beamed’ Philip miles away to the town of Azotus.