Study 19. Acts 8:26-40

5. Keep question 1 in mind as you answer these questions. 

a. Who accepted the gospel in 8:26-40? 

 An Ethiopian eunuch.

If the man was a physical eunuch ihe could not have been a proselyte. He would have been a 'god-fearer' However, the term could also be used to refer simply to a court official.

 

The church did not simply ‘stumble upon’ the idea of evangelizing the Gentiles; it did so in accordance with God’s deliberate purpose (Marshall) A desert road 'at noon' (8:26, alternate reading) would be not well-travelled. Philip required specific divine direction for an improbable effort.

 

And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” - there was specific direction again.

 

God obviously does not reveal himself to all men equally.

b. What status did this kind of person have with the Jews (see Deuteronomy 23:1)?

Considered unfit to join the assembly of the Lord, to be a full part of God's people.

c. How was this person’s conversion significant to the progress of the gospel (see Psalm 68:31; Isaiah 56:3-5; Ephesians 2:11-18)?

It was fulfilment of biblical prophecy

Nobles shall come from Egypt;
    Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.

 

 It was promise that even eunuchs will have a spiritual legacy

 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.”
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,
⁵ I will give in my house and within my walls
    a monument and a name
    better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
    that shall not be cut off.”

 

It confirmed that Jews and gentiles will be united in Christ

¹¹ Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— ¹² remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

 

 

 d. What was the apostles’ role in taking the step to permit such a person into the church? Why is this important? 

None. Apostolic involvement was not needed for every convert. It depended on how much the group converted would have an impact on the church at large.

 

e. What convinced this person to be baptized (see 8:35)? 

 The exposition of Scripture as it related to Jesus: 'Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus'.

 

The way in which the story is told bears some structural resemblances to another story in which a Stranger joined two travellers and opened up the Scriptures to them, took part in a sacramental act, and then disappeared from view (Luke 24:13–35).(Marshall)

Compare your answers to questions 1 and 5. What similarities and differences do you find between the two situations?

In both, Philip was involved, there was preaching, baptism and  joy. Both involved non-Jews

With the Samaritans there was a large group. With the eunuch, there was one person.

In the former the apostles were involved, but not in the latter

In the former there was no specific instruction by the Spirit, but there was in the patter.

In the latter there was no mention of miracles. 

In the former there was no mention of OT scriptures.
 

For Thought and Discussion: Did the eunuch need the laying on of hands to receive the Spirit? What evidence do we have (see 8:36-39)?

No evidence either way. The presence of joy suggests genuine conversion.

For Thought and Discussion: Why do you think Luke doesn’t tell us whether Philip laid hands on the eunuch, whether he received the Spirit, or whether the Samaritans were immersed in water or had water poured over them?

Inconclusive. It can be argued that these were unimportant forms. It can also be argued that a few illustrations might suffice and that Luke did not want to be repetitious.

 

For Thought and Discussion: What good news (see 8:35) do you think Phillip told the eunuch that made him want to be baptized? Explain from earlier speeches in Acts and/or from Isaiah 52:13–53:12.

That Jesus was the Christ - the fulfillment of OT prophecy, and would atone for sin.

 

For Thought and Discussion: Why do you think Luke makes a point of God’s guidance in having the eunuch evangelized (see 8:26,29,39) but mentions no such guidance regarding the Samaritans? Why is God’s guidance so important in the eunuch’s case (consider Deuteronomy 23:1; Isaiah 56:3-5)?

He was a Gentile and an eunuch.

 

It was instructive that God required a human agent to do HIs will.

 

 

8:40 Azotus. Ancient Old Testament Ashdod (1 Sam. 5:1), one of the five Philistine cities, about twenty miles north of Gaza and sixty miles south of Caesarea on the coast. Philip preached the gospel in all the towns along the coast until he reached Caesarea, a large city Herod the Great had rebuilt (near Strato’s Tower). It had an excellent harbor that Herod expanded for important sea traffic (21:8), and it served as headquarters for the Roman procurators such as Pilate, Felix (23:33–24:4), and Festus (25:6). Philip must have settled in Caesarea because years later he still resided there (21:8). (Reformation Study Bible)