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Articles
The Ethiopian Eunuch
Today we would like to study for a few moments the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-39.
First, we would like to notice that the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, and also the Spirit spake unto Philip, in verses 26 & 29 "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip...Then the Spirit said unto Philip..." It would appear unto me, that if idea that the Holy Spirit was supposed to be involved in the direct operation in the hearts of sinners apart from the word of God, then why did he speak unto Philip and not the eunuch? The truth is that God has ordained that the gospel is to be preached by human instrumentality, 1 Cor. 1:21 "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe."
Now notice that the eunuch was studying from Isaiah 53, and had a question about the passage for Philip to answer, vs. 30-34. Philip begins at this same passage of scripture, and preaches unto him Jesus, verse 35. Let's notice what vs. 36-38 says, "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." How in the world did the eunuch know anything about baptism? Well the Bible says that Philip preached unto him Jesus, verse 35. So we must conclude that when we preach Jesus we will also be preaching about baptism. Folks who do not preach what the Bible says about baptism, are failing to preach Jesus, as Philip did. We also see that the eunuch made the good confession in verse 37, (Romans 10:9-10). Now take note that the eunuch was baptized that very day Philip had the opportunity to preach Jesus unto him. He did not wait days or weeks to be baptized as do human denominations practice today. After the eunuch believed and obeyed the gospel, noticed the attitude he had, in verse 39, "And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." Have you done as the eunuch did?
