Ethiopian eunuch

BackgrounBackground ond on

Ethiopian Ethiopian EunuchEunuch

Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39

Who Was Philip?Who Was Philip? Philip was a respected and faithful man who Philip was a respected and faithful man who

was one of the seven deacons first was one of the seven deacons first appointed in a congregation of Christians. appointed in a congregation of Christians. The church first began in Jerusalem among The church first began in Jerusalem among the Jews.the Jews.

Following the Stoning of Stephen, a great Following the Stoning of Stephen, a great persecution rose up against the Christians persecution rose up against the Christians and they left Jerusalem in large numbers.and they left Jerusalem in large numbers.

Who Was Philip?Who Was Philip? Christians, like Philip, began teaching Christians, like Philip, began teaching

people about Jesus wherever they went. people about Jesus wherever they went. This meant the good news of Jesus Christ This meant the good news of Jesus Christ spread out from Jerusalem to a wider and spread out from Jerusalem to a wider and wider circle of people. wider circle of people.

Philip’s first stop was Samaria where he Philip’s first stop was Samaria where he taught many, including Simon the Sorcerer.taught many, including Simon the Sorcerer.

Who Was The Ethiopian Who Was The Ethiopian Eunuch?Eunuch?

Ethiopia probably refers to ancient Nubia Ethiopia probably refers to ancient Nubia which is present day southern Egypt and which is present day southern Egypt and northern Sudan. northern Sudan.

““Candace” was a title used for the leading Candace” was a title used for the leading woman of the country so the Ethiopian woman of the country so the Ethiopian Eunuch would have had a very important Eunuch would have had a very important and trusted position as “an important official and trusted position as “an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Queen. in charge of all the treasury of the Queen.

Who Was The Ethiopian Who Was The Ethiopian Eunuch?Eunuch?

Men placed in charge of the living Men placed in charge of the living quarters, the harem in particular, were quarters, the harem in particular, were sometimes made eunuchs (castrated) but sometimes made eunuchs (castrated) but the term “eunuch” could also be used in a the term “eunuch” could also be used in a more general way for an official or officer. more general way for an official or officer. Having access to the Queen’s treasury Having access to the Queen’s treasury lends me to think this was literal for this lends me to think this was literal for this man.man.

Lessons Lessons from the from the Ethiopian Ethiopian EunuchEunuch

Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39

The Eunuch had a desire to study the BibleThe Eunuch had a desire to study the Bible..

Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39

The Eunuch had a desire to The Eunuch had a desire to study the Biblestudy the Bible

This man was not yet a Christian, baptized in This man was not yet a Christian, baptized in the blood of Christ.the blood of Christ.

Philip was in Jerusalem, through divine Philip was in Jerusalem, through divine intervention, arose and went south, away intervention, arose and went south, away from Jerusalem.from Jerusalem.

CONTRAST THISCONTRAST THIS:: The Eunuch got up knowing where he was going!The Eunuch got up knowing where he was going! Philip arose and traveled on a desert road! Philip arose and traveled on a desert road! Philip left a highly populated area to a deserted Philip left a highly populated area to a deserted

road in the middle of the desert! road in the middle of the desert! What chance did he think of finding work thereWhat chance did he think of finding work there

How Far Did the Eunuch How Far Did the Eunuch Travel to Worship?Travel to Worship?

N.B. Hardeman:

Hoffman Commentary:

DeHauf’s Commentary:

Outline Studies in Acts by Thomas:

1,000 miles

1,500 miles

1,500 miles

1,200 miles

The Eunuch had a desire to The Eunuch had a desire to study the Biblestudy the Bible

He was still studying after worship service. He was still studying after worship service. He wasn’t in a hurry! He wasn’t in a hurry! He had a strong desire to study the Bible. He had a strong desire to study the Bible. Are we zealous for bible knowledge or just in Are we zealous for bible knowledge or just in

a hurry.a hurry. Often God opens doors to His people that Often God opens doors to His people that

we cannot find on our own.we cannot find on our own. In His divine plan we are the exact instrument In His divine plan we are the exact instrument

to bring lost sheep into the fold!to bring lost sheep into the fold!


Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39

Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!

Preaching Jesus Preaching Jesus ISIS Preaching Baptism!Preaching Baptism!

Philip preached Jesus (v.35)Philip preached Jesus (v.35)• Philips lesson included an illustration from the Philips lesson included an illustration from the

Old Testament (Is. 53:7)Old Testament (Is. 53:7)• Most preachers (denomination or in the church) Most preachers (denomination or in the church)

would simply stop here!would simply stop here!• Philip continued on and preached baptism.Philip continued on and preached baptism.

Note the honest heart in the Ethiopian EunuchNote the honest heart in the Ethiopian Eunuch!!• His conclusion to Philip’s preaching was to be His conclusion to Philip’s preaching was to be

baptized!baptized!• Today, men find a number of conclusions from Today, men find a number of conclusions from

this and other passages about baptism.this and other passages about baptism.

Preaching Jesus is Preaching Jesus is preaching Baptism!preaching Baptism!

What is involved in preaching Christ?What is involved in preaching Christ? Acts 8:5 - Philip preached Christ > v.12 – Acts 8:5 - Philip preached Christ > v.12 –

they believed the good news about the they believed the good news about the kingdom of God.kingdom of God.

Acts 8:5 - Philip preached Christ – v.12 – Acts 8:5 - Philip preached Christ – v.12 – they were baptized.they were baptized.

Acts 8:35 – Philip preached Christ – v. 36-Acts 8:35 – Philip preached Christ – v. 36-39 – the Eunuch was baptized.39 – the Eunuch was baptized.


Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39


Bible Baptism is spiritual in natureBible Baptism is spiritual in nature

Bible Baptism is spiritual in Bible Baptism is spiritual in nature.nature.

It should not produce emotional It should not produce emotional reactions.reactions.

Clapping/yelling/cheering, etcClapping/yelling/cheering, etc A number of churches (denomination/non-A number of churches (denomination/non-

denomination) may display those reactions.denomination) may display those reactions. The example in Acts 8:35-39 is clearThe example in Acts 8:35-39 is clear

Facts – Philip preached Christ. (v.35)Facts – Philip preached Christ. (v.35) Faith – Preaching produced a faith-based belief Faith – Preaching produced a faith-based belief

that Jesus is the Son of God.that Jesus is the Son of God. Then Feeling – The eunuch went on his way Then Feeling – The eunuch went on his way

rejoicing because he was saved. We should rejoicing because he was saved. We should possess that same mindset/attitude. Christians possess that same mindset/attitude. Christians should be happy!should be happy!


Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39


Bible Baptism is spiritual in natureBible Baptism is spiritual in nature

Eunuch’s baptism was immersion, a burial (8:38)Eunuch’s baptism was immersion, a burial (8:38)

The Eunuch’s Baptism was The Eunuch’s Baptism was Immersion — a BurialImmersion — a Burial

Thayer defines the word baptism here as: “to Thayer defines the word baptism here as: “to dip, to immerse, to submerge.”dip, to immerse, to submerge.”

Note the phrasing in verse 38; “they both Note the phrasing in verse 38; “they both went down into the water.”went down into the water.”

Another common theme for denominations is Another common theme for denominations is the have scheduled mass/multiple baptisms.the have scheduled mass/multiple baptisms.

Their emphasis is emotional in nature like Their emphasis is emotional in nature like mentioned in my last point.mentioned in my last point.

In every example of baptism the baptism In every example of baptism the baptism happened immediately; there was no wait!happened immediately; there was no wait!

The Eunuch’s Baptism was The Eunuch’s Baptism was Immersion — a BurialImmersion — a Burial

Consider Acts 22:16:Consider Acts 22:16:

““Why wait any longer” (NCV)Why wait any longer” (NCV)““Why tarriest thou” (KJV)Why tarriest thou” (KJV)““What are you waiting for” (NIV)What are you waiting for” (NIV)““Why wait any longer” (Good News Bible)Why wait any longer” (Good News Bible)““And now why delay” (Weymouth NT)And now why delay” (Weymouth NT)

In Acts 8; the Eunuch immediately desired to In Acts 8; the Eunuch immediately desired to be baptized. There was no wait!be baptized. There was no wait!


Acts 8:25-39Acts 8:25-39


Bible Baptism is spiritual in nature; not emotionalBible Baptism is spiritual in nature; not emotional

Eunuch’s baptism was immersion, a burial (8:38)Eunuch’s baptism was immersion, a burial (8:38)

BaptismBaptism StandsStands BetweenBetween::

The The SinnSinner er andand……

SALVATIONSALVATION (Mk 16:16) (Mk 16:16)

REMISSION OF SINSREMISSION OF SINS (Acts 2:38)(Acts 2:38)

WASHING AWAY OF SINSWASHING AWAY OF SINS (Acts 22:16) (Acts 22:16)

THE DEATH OF CHRISTTHE DEATH OF CHRIST (Romans 6:3) (Romans 6:3)

THE PUTTING ON OF CHRISTTHE PUTTING ON OF CHRIST (Gal. 3:27) (Gal. 3:27)

THE BODY OF CHRISTTHE BODY OF CHRIST (1 Cor. 12:13) (1 Cor. 12:13)

Ethiopian eunuch

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