Thesis: To instruct the hearers as to what it means to “preach Jesus.”
Text: Acts 8:26-39
Act 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert (deserted; ISV) place.
Act 8:27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship
Act 8:28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
Act 8:29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot."
Act 8:30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
Act 8:31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Act 8:32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.
Act 8:33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth."
Act 8:34 And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?"
Act 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he (preached unto him Jesus) told him the good news about Jesus.
Introduction,
1. In this passage (Acts 8:26-35) we see Philip, an inspired preacher of the early church who was among those who were scattered by God through persecutions in order that the gospel would be brought to the world.
2. He was led by an angel of the Lord and instructed by the Holy Spirit to join up with an Ethiopian eunuch.
3. When Philip approached the chariot he heard the eunuch reading from Isaiah 53.
4. Philip asked if he understood the meaning of the passage (Isa 53:7-8 from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the OT Scriptures).
5. His response was “How can I, unless someone guides me?”
6. Thus Philip from this passage “preached unto Him Jesus”, he told him the good news about salvation through Christ
7. Therefore in this lesson we will look at . . .
1) The command to preach Jesus (Acts 8:26-29)
2) The knowledge to preach Jesus (Acts 8:30-35)
3) The results of the preaching of Jesus (Acts 8:36-39)
I. THE COMMAND TO PREACH JESUS (Acts 8:26-29)
A. (Acts 8:26)
Act 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert (deserted; ISV) place.
1. In the 1st century the church was Divinely guided, directed both miraculously and providentially when the gospel was first spread across the known world.
a. Today we also are Divinely guided by God's word, that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17) and thereby commanded to teach and preach Christ and His gospel, Jesus said (Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16) . . .
Mar 16:15 . . . "Go into all the world and proclaim (preach) the gospel to the whole creation.
Mar 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in(to) the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all (things) that I have commanded you . . .
b. And one of those “things” which Christ commanded is seen right here in Matthew’s account of the great commission, they and the following generations of disciples were to make disciples, baptize them, and then teach them to observe “all things” commanded, which includes making disciples and baptizing them, and so on, and so on, and so on, all Christians are the fruit of, and are under this perpetual command, and are to do this directly or indirectly, by preaching, teaching and baptizing, or enabling others to do it in various ways, and those that think that they are not indeed to be involved in this ought to consider Christ’s words in Luke 9:26 . . .
Luk 9:26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
c. Or Peter’s inspired words in Acts 3:22-23 . . .
Act 3:22 Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. To him shall you hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you.
Act 3:23 And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.
d. While it is true that we are not under law but under grace (Rom 6:14), and law is not hanging over our heads waiting to smash us at the first sign of disobedience, yet law does exist, it is there in the New Covenant, its referred to as (“a law of faith”; Rom 3:27; “the law of the Spirit of in Christ Jesus”, Rom 8:2;“the law of Christ”, Gal 6:2; “that perfect law of liberty”, Ja 1:25), but it is to written on our hearts (Heb 8:10), we keep it because we love Jesus (Jn 14:15), Who died for us, we love God because He first loved us (1 Jn 4:19).
e. And the great commission that the Lord gave is what we see taking place here in our context in the book of Acts, and I think it is important to know that you and I, even to this day, are the fruit of this perpetual command, God’s word is no dead letter.
2. The road where Philip is told to go is described here as being “desert,” this refers to a lonely, unpopulated, deserted, little traveled road, not necessarily a barren, water-less road, Thayer defines it as “solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited.”
a. The point being made here is this is no accident; these two individuals are purposely being brought together, this was set up by God.
b. And when we preach or teach, or in various ways bring forth the gospel as directed by the bible, our actions also are set up by God, in fact “all” that we do is to be directed by God (Col 3:17).
Col 3:17 And whatsoever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name (by the authority) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
B. (Acts 8:27)
Act 8:27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship
1. Note first of all that Philip was obedient, responsive to God’s commands, he was told to rise and go and he rose and went, we also when led by God, through His word, and His Spirit within us, ought to be obedient, responsive, for it is for our good, and the good of others, and the glory of God, that He leads us in these various ways.
2. Ethiopia here is thought to be modern Sudan, which is south of Egypt in Africa.
3. The term “eunuch” does not always have to refer to one that is emasculated (castrated), but it does refer to one that does not partake of sexual relations, the Lord teaches (Mt 19:12) . . .
Mat 19:12 . . . there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it."
a. The universality of the gospel would be emphasized if one of these were to be reached.
b. He was probably a proselyte to Judaism, who, being a eunuch, could not enter into the worship assembly of the men (Deut 23:1).
Deu 23:1 "No one whose testicles are crushed or whose male organ is cut off shall enter the assembly of the LORD.
c. But he could enter into the court of the Gentiles, where men of all nations, both the ceremonially clean and unclean could worship as spoken of by the prophet Isaiah (Isa 56:3-7; turn there) . . .
Isa 56:3 Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely separate me from his people"; and let not the eunuch say, "Behold, I am a dry tree."
Isa 56:4 For thus says the LORD: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant,
Isa 56:5 I will give in my house and within my walls a monument (place) and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.
Isa 56:6 "And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—
Isa 56:7 these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."
d. There were many of these types of distinctions under the Law of Moses, they were shadows of the Truth, meant to be figurative teaching tools by God, in order for the people to understand more fully the goodness of God that would be manifested through Christ and His gospel, along with the defining of sin, and (most importantly) to bring them to Christ (Rom 3:20; 7:7; Gal 3:19-24).
Rom 3:20 because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
Rom 7:7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."
Gal 3:19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator.
Gal 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but God is one.
Gal 3:21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could make alive, verily righteousness would have been of the law.
Gal 3:22 But the scriptures shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal 3:24 So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (ASV)
e. But under the gospel these walls of partition (distinctions) between worshipers (which literally existed at the temple at Jerusalem) has been taken down (Eph 2:13-15; Gal 3:25-29).
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both (Jew and Gentile) one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (middle wall of partition)
Eph 2:15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
Gal 3:25 But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise. (ASV)
f. Now men, women, children and even eunuchs can all assemble and worship together, while yet still maintaining their God ordained roles (1 Cor 11:3; Eph 6:1; Mt 19:10-12).
1Co 11:3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
g. I also would like to add that if a sodomite or lesbian was drawn to the Lord, they also would be accepted, yet they would have to turn from their sins and become aligned with God’s will concerning relationships (one husband, one wife, for life) or become eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake (Mt 19:12), as we see some of the Corinthian Christians did (1 Cor 6:9-11) . . .
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
h. They were formerly these things, but now they were baptized, holy, being saved individuals, this is a lesson that many apostate bodies would do well to learn, that they might not be destroyed in the unquenchable fire.
4. Ethiopia is 1,500 miles from Jerusalem; (a 3,000 mi round trip by beast), how far are we willing to travel in order to worship the Almighty? Let us take a lesson from this devout man, it is never too far or too difficult to worship God according to His will.
a. Yet we see many today are more concerned with sporting events, entertainment, rather than the worship of Him Who made everything one is and has, let us always put God first and foremost one our list, and we can count on being on His (Mt 6:33).
Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
C. (Acts 8:28)
Act 8:28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
1. Reading aloud was common in ancient times, we see that his devotion to God is emphasized in that while he was traveling, he was studying, in other words he didn’t waste the time he was given from God in idleness, instead he sought to learn more about the God whom he worshipped and no doubt loved.
a. We need to understand that faith comes from God through His word (Jn 6:29; Rom 10:17), that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), that is one of the main venues which He gives us to grow through getting closer to Him, for it is written (1 Pet 2:2; Heb 4:12; Jn 6:63) . . .
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation. (NASB)
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.
D.(Acts 8:29)
Act 8:29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot."
1. An angel of the Lord directed Philip to this place (v 26), and now the Holy Spirit is instructing his actions, this man is being miraculously led of God.
a. Let us also note that the Holy Spirit “said” to Philip and in verse 26 the angel “said” to him.
b. God directs by words (Ps 119:105) . . .
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
c. Whether this was literally audible or within Philip’s own self, we do not know, but we do know God directs through His word, that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17).
d. In the 1st century and today God directs by His words, for us Christians it would be specifically in the NT, wherein is locked up Christ’s all compassing authority, Jesus Himself said (Mt 28:18) . . .
Mat 28:18 . . . All authority has been given unto me in heaven and on earth.
e. Wherein we are told also to “go” and make disciples by living, by preaching, by teaching, by speaking the truth of the gospel to the whole of creation (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15).
f. Literally these passages (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15) state “as you are going” (MLV) preach, teach . . .
g. Thus, while we are also going in our lives, let us look for opportunity, at work, at home, at the store, wherever, and whenever, to bring forth the light of the gospel of Christ in order that some may hear, believe and obey unto eternal life, for it is written (1 Cor 4:15a; Phili 2:15-16a; 1 Pet 4:11a) . . .
1Co 4:15 . . . ye have ten thousand tutors in Christ
Phi 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,
Phi 2:16a holding forth the word of life;
1Pe 4:11 Whoever speaks must speak God's words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength that God supplies, so that in every way God may be glorified.
h. And that would be despite of political correctness in our godless society, which is basically the spirit of antichrist, Satan.
i. We are to obey our governments (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Pet 2:13-17), but when governments command “don’t speak about Jesus or the God of the bible” and God says “speak”, we must rather obey God than men (Acts 4:19; 5:29), we are not to fear man who can only kill the body, but rather God Who can kill and destroy both body and soul in hell (Mt 10:28; Lk 12:5).
II.THE KNOWLEDGE TO PREACH JESUS (Acts 8:30-35).
A.(Acts 8:30)
Act 8:30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
1. The bible teaches that a person not born again is blinded by the god (little “g”) of this world (Satan), so that he can’t properly understand the scriptures (2 Cor 4:3-4) . . .
2Co 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
2Co 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
a. This takes place because of their preconceived mindset, which is focused on the things of the world, the lusts of the eyes, the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:16), instead of the things above (Col 3:1-4).
b. The Lord Jesus tells Nicodemus the same basic truth in Jn 3:3 . . .
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
c. Individuals can’t see the kingdom truths, battles, rewards, and so on, not because it’s impossible, but rather because it’s contrary to the thinking of this world; serving to reign, giving to get, being restrained to be made free, dying to live, these types of things are not embraced unless one is born again, born anew, born from above.
d. But when one believes in the gospel message (1 Cor 15:1-4; 23), one receives the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13), Who slowly, yet surely begins renewing one’s thinking, revealing what’s wrong with our old person, and showing us how our new person is to be more like Jesus(1 Cor 11:1), more like God (Eph 5:1; Eph 4:17-24) . . .
Eph 4:17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
Eph 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.
Eph 4:19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.
Eph 4:20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—
Eph 4:21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
Eph 4:22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires (lusts; 1 Jn 2:16),
Eph 4:23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
e. God renews us by His Spirit, through the word, that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), combined with events in our lives, transforming us, renewing us day by day (2 Cor 4:16).
2Co 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
f. This is an important part of the process of salvation (Tit 3:5). . .
Tit 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
g. And everyone “in Christ” is involved in this, not just a select few (2 Cor 5:17),
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
h. As commanded in Rom 12:2a . . .
Rom 12:2a Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
B.(Acts 8:31)
Act 8:31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
1. Philip was inspired by the Holy Spirit, he is described as being “full of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 6:5; in Acts 8:6 it states that he did “signs” that confirmed his preaching to the Samaritans, it is clear that this man was miraculously endowed by God.
a. Keep in mind that the eunuch has not yet heard the gospel message nor believed it, he was taught by Jews to think like Jews, which is earthly, carnal, he is the basic unregenerated man that is seen in 1 Cor 2:14 . . .
1Co 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
b. The “natural man” in 1 Cor 2:14 is the “unregenerated man” and why can’t he “know” (ASV) or “understand” (ESV) the things of the Spirit of God?
c. Because he does not “accept” or “receive” them, the word “accept” or “receive” here in the Greek is dechomai , which simply means “welcome.”
d. The natural man (the worldly or carnal man) does not “receive” the things of the Spirit of God, because he does not “welcome” them! He does not want to! It is not that he “cannot” understand them! It is that he “does not” want or will to “know” them!
e. They seem like foolishness to him; “giving to receive, serving to reign, dying to live, being restricted by commands in order to be set free”, all these things are foolishness to those that are of the world, who are carnal, who are not spiritually minded.
2. Now back to the eunuch . . . why could he not understand what he was reading?
a. Because he had not yet heard or believed the gospel of Christ and thereby received the Spirit (Gal 3:2 ; Eph 1:13; turn to 1 Cor 2:12-16) . . .
Gal 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
Eph 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
1Co 2:12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
1Co 2:13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
1Co 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
1Co 2:16 "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
C. (Acts 8:32-33)
Act 8:32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth.
Act 8:33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth."
1. This is a quote from Isaiah 53:7-8, out of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the OT Scriptures which began to take place at about 275 BC by 70 Hebrew scholars in Alexandria, Egypt, the name “Septuagint” literally means “70” (LXX). This passage is a prophecy of the crucifixion of Christ and some of the events that transpired in that paramount event.
D. (Acts 8:34)
Act 8:34 And the eunuch said to Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?"
If this eunuch would have had the four gospel accounts, he could have studied them,
and come to the conclusion that Isaiah was speaking of Jesus the Christ, the Messiah,
He Who was to be put to death, foreordained to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.
a. No Jew could explain this passage without the NT, they conceived the Messiah to be an earthly conquering king like David, they could not imagine that the Christ of God could be a suffering servant.
b. Therefore they thought that the Messiah and the suffering servant were 2 different people, this was the reason for the eunuch’s question, I believe today they (the Jews) have concluded that the suffering servant is the nation of Israel, this was a puzzle to all Jews, but not to us who believe the New Testament.
c. Paul talks about the Jews and this understanding problem in 2 Cor 3 (turn there, 2 Cor 3:14-18) . . .
2Co 3:14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.
2Co 3:15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.
2Co 3:16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.
2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
2Co 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (God is one, Father, Son, Spirit; Ja 2:19).
d. In our context we will see the veil that hinders the eunuch’s understanding is being removed.
E. (Acts 8:35)
Act 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he (preached unto him Jesus) told him the good news about Jesus.
1. “Preaching Jesus” here was probably the basic message that the inspired men of the 1st century preached . . .the crucifixion (death), burial, resurrection, the great commission and ascension of Christ, the remission of sins, and the hope of eternal life through Him, which is made available to all people (including eunuchs) through the grace (favor) of God, as Paul reminded the church at Rome (Rom 6:3-6, turn there).
Rom 6:3 Or are you ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? (where His sin cleansing blood was shed; John 19:34)
Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death (at our immersion we are to determine to put our old selves to death; Col 3:3): that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life (those who believe and are immersed into Christ have become new creatures, the old things are passed away, behold they are become new; 2 Cor 5:17, we see and recognize God’s working in creation and in us through the gospel).
Rom 6:5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death (if we are immersed and continue to allow God to put our old person to death; 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 4:21-24; Col 3:5-10; bearing our crosses daily; Luke 9:23), we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; (if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him in heaven; 2 Tim 2:11)
Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, (through baptism) that the body of sin might be done away (again where His sin cleansing blood was shed; John 19:34), that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; (our old person is dead, our sins have been forgiven, now let us rejoice that we are under grace and not law, focusing on heaven)
What they preached then, is what we should preach today,
this is the message that made Christians in the 1st century,
this is the message that will make Christians today.
There is but one gospel (Gal 1:6-9), one faith (Eph 4:5), we have been given this knowledge through God’s word (2 Pet 1:3), that sword of the Spirit, let us share it boldly and shamelessly (Acts 14:3; Rom 1:16), yet not pride-fully, but with meekness (strength under control made tender) and fear (reverence unto God; 1 Pet 3:15).
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Gentiles/Samaritans/Eunuchs/Women, Whosoever wills can drink of the water of life freely).
III. THE RESULTS OF PREACHING JESUS (Acts 8:36-39).
A. (Acts 8:36)
Act 8:36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?"
1. (Let us consider this account using simple logic, i.e. major/minor premise = conclusion)
Major premise:
Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch
Minor premise:
The eunuch requested to be baptized
Conclusion:
Therefore to preach Jesus, is to preach baptism
Thus it follows:
To not preach baptism, is to not preach Jesus
This is a lesson that the many false teachers throughout Christendom should earnestly heed
I want to believe that preaching Jesus ended with the great commission (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16), therefore it’s only natural that one that believed would want to be baptized . . .
Mat 28:18 Then Jesus came up and told them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Mat 28:19 Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to obey everything that I've commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age." (ISV)
Mar 16:15 Then he told them, "As you go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to everyone.
Mar 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever doesn't believe will be condemned. (ISV)
B. (Acts 8:37; ASV margin; Western texts including the Latin tradition)
Act 8:37 And 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.
1. This is that good confession made by Peter (Mt 16:16), and Timothy (1 Tim 6:12), as is mentioned in the epistle to the Romans (Rom 10:9).
Mat 16:16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
2. This is that rock/bedrock on which the church is to be built upon . . .
“The fact that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
a. It is important to note here that “belief” “faith” is the starting point of salvation (Jn 5:24),
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
b. It is the first step wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15), faith is a requirement for a candidate for water immersion unto the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), this is also affirmed in Mark’s account of the great commission (Mk 16:16a) . . .
Mar 16:16a The one believing and being baptized will be saved. (LITV)
b. The one that “believes” (is currently believing) and is baptized will be saved, he shall be saved (in the future, at the final judgment “if” he remains faithful), this does away with infant baptism and “faith only” salvation, one who continues to believe will also “do” what the Lord says, He Himself states (Mt 7:21; Luke 6:46; John 14:15) . . .
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom from heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven. (ISV)
Luk 6:46 And why call you me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Joh 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
C. (Acts 8:38)
Act 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him
1. Baptism always means a complete immersion in the NT, it means to dip, to submerge, to plunge, the word “baptizo” in the 1st century is the word that was used of a ship, when it sank in the Mediterranean sea.
a. Both persons went down into the water, because the physical requirements of bodily immersion normally require that both baptizer and baptizee descend into a sufficient amount of water for the immersion to take place.
b. After entering the water, Philip immersed the eunuch
2. Also note that there was no mention of baptism in the Holy Spirit, as many false teachers want to assert about many baptism passages, this is immersion in “water” the perpetual great commission baptism (Mt 28:19-20), the “one baptism” (Eph 4:5) which continues today, and will continue till this earth is no more (Mt 24:35).
a. Baptism in the Holy Spirit was for a specific purpose at a specific time and is not part of God’s will for Christians today, the teaching of that to be the case is nothing more than the result of false teachers attempting to do something with the multiple passages in the NT that speak of great commission baptism which are clearly a part of the doctrine of Christ, this they are twisting to their own, and their followers destruction (2 Pet 3:16).
D. (Acts 8:39)
Act 8:39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried (caught) Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
1. “Came up out of the water” is what normally describes that which follows immersion, they both walked toward shallower water, and ultimately to the shore, up out of the water onto dry land.
2. This supernatural translocation (the Spirit of the Lord carried or caught him away) is probably similar to an event seen in the OT (the taking away of Elijah in 2 Ki 2:11-17 into heaven)
3. Note that the eunuch went on his way rejoicing, he believed the gospel/the good news about Jesus, at which time he received the Holy Spirit (Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13) which prompted his obedience of faith (Rom 1:5; 16:26), he was a new creature (Gal 6:16; 2 Cor 5:17), his sins were washed away, he had a fresh start, and a clear conscience before God, and the hope of eternal life, this teaching is also brought forth by the inspired Peter in 1 Pet 3:20-21 . . .
1Pe 3:20 . . . when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
1Pe 3:21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now (also; KJV) saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
a. Another reason that the eunuch had to rejoice, was now he could enter into the assembly of the saints and worship God with his brethren, (who met in houses, not the temple; Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Phile 2) this was not privileged him under the Law of Moses (Deut 23:1), that middle wall of partition (Eph 2:14-15) has been broken down, he and we are all now “one” in Christ Jesus (Gal 3:26-29), we are all united, in agreement, in Christ, now being Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promises of God.
Conclusion,
1) Philip was commanded to go and spread the good news about Jesus, we also are commanded to go and do likewise, we can do it ourselves or enable others to through financial assistance.
2) Philip was miraculously given the knowledge to accomplish this, we have the miraculously delivered word of God which gives us the knowledge to teach, preach, and concerning all things that pertain to life and godliness (1 Pet 1:3).
3) The results of bringing forth the good news about Jesus was that the eunuch rejoiced!
4) Those that believe and obey the gospel from the heart today also ought to rejoice! (Gal 3:26-29; 2 Cor 5:17)
Gal 3:26 For you are all sons (children) of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for you all are one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
5) We receive the Holy Spirit (Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13), our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16), we are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5:17), we are in a right relationship with God through Jesus and because of Jesus.
6) Now we can look forward to our death instead of fearing it (Heb 2:14-15; Phili 1:21), we can look forward to our death, our resurrection (1 Cor 15:23), and eternity with God (Rev 21:1-22:5), based upon the things that are written, the promises of the Almighty God, Who cannot lie! (Tit 1:2; 1 Pet 1:3-4; 1 John 5:13)
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, Who cannot lie, promised before the world began;
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you, that you may know that you have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.
God’s plan to bring us to this state of rejoicing is the same as it was in the 1st century,
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17) this how the Father plants the word, the seed of the kingdom (Lk 8:11), within the good ground, that good, honest and open heart.
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus died for our sins, was raised from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, and that we have a living hope of following Him (1 Cor 15:1-4; 23; 1 Pet 1:3-4), belief (faith) is the crossover point (Jn 5:24) wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15)
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
And one is not to stop there, but rather continue in the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) . . .
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, a life
that is likened unto Christ’s, Whom we follow (Jn 14:6; 1 Cor 11:1)
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ to others (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), if you are ashamed of Christ and His words, He will be ashamed of you on That Day (Luke 9:26), this is how God propagates His kingdom (Mt 28:19-20).
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed) into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16), it is the point where one is to be dead to the practice of sin and alive unto God (Rom 6:1-11).
And finally one is to . . .
Live a holy life (1 Pet 1:15), and “knowing” what being “holy” is, “separated” “set-apart” “from” the ways of the world and “to” the Way of God (2 Cor 6:14-7:1), being renewed day by day, walking not as the world walks, but as God directs, in every aspect of one’s life.