Dwell in the Word: Acts 8:26-40

Think on these questions as you dwell in Acts 8:26-40:

1. How does the encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch exemplify the underlying theme of the gospel's advancement to all people, regardless of their background or social status? What significance does this event hold in the context of Jesus' commission to be witnesses to the ends of the earth?

2. What do Philip's actions in approaching the Ethiopian eunuch and explaining the Scripture demonstrate about the inclusive nature of the gospel message? How does this encounter challenge common societal norms and showcase the universal accessibility of salvation in Jesus Christ?

3. The sudden and miraculous transportation of Philip after baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch is a noteworthy event in this passage. How does this supernatural occurrence highlight the divine guidance and intervention present in the spread of the gospel throughout the book of Acts? How does Philip's experience serve as a reminder of the importance of being led by the Spirit in our own efforts to share the gospel?

Transcript:

 We find ourselves in another well-known story and a fantastic story about the advancement of the gospel. That is the underlying message that we have seen so far in the book of Acts. Remember this underlying theme that we're looking at, that Jesus said that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea.

To Samaria and to the ends of the earth in other words the gospel is going out to all people the Hebrew faith is expanding to Include the gentiles through faith in Jesus. That's the important thing that we have to remember That is what Luke is trying to make sure we understand as the story and so here we come to Philip and the spirit leads him to a particular place where there's an Ethiopian eunuch reading from the book of Isaiah.

Now, how amazing is this? That, that we see here that That Philip has been led there. Now, Philip is going about, he's sharing the gospel with all kinds of people, but the Spirit wants Philip to understand something, and this, and Luke wants us to see this here. That the gospel is going out to all people.

This Ethiopian, who is a eunuch, is an outsider. He is not one of the usual people that we would expect that the Hebrew people would interact with. Instead, he is a complete outsider. And so, Philip sees him, and he sees that he is looking at the Book of Isaiah. And so, he asks him if he understands what he's reading.

Now, I think this is such an amazing story, because it's fun to imagine, you know, Philip walking up and saying, Do you understand this? And then, then the invitation to sit down and to look at it together and to guide this man to understand it. Look at what it says here when they, after they read this passage that Philip opens his mouth, and he begins with that scripture, and he tells him the good news about Jesus. Now we don't know how long this happens, but obviously the story of the gospel is told. Because what happens when the Ethiopian eunuch sees water? He has heard that he is to be baptized if he is to believe so Philip has explained a lot of the story of salvation in Christ Right, and so they go down into the water and Philip baptize him baptizes him And so we see that this is a way in which we are to understand that this outsider this non Hebrew This not even this non Samaritan Is to come to faith in Jesus and that everybody is welcome in this salvation that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is an important event that happens here because we're seeing what, what, uh, Jesus said starting to unfold. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria. Now somebody who is from the ends of the earth. They are coming to faith. This is such an amazing thing. And then look what happens at the end. As they are finishing up this time where the Ethiopian is baptized.

Philip is carried away by the Spirit of the Lord. We don't know what that means.  In one minute? We do know that it means in one minute he was there and the next minute he wasn't. We don't know how he was transported, but we find that Philip is taken away. The spirit has led Philip here and now he is leading him another place.

And what happens? Philip finds himself someplace else. And what is the mission? The mission is to proclaim the gospel there and to continue to proclaim the gospel everywhere they go. Because the story of the book of Acts is that the gospel goes out. And so as we think about this, we see the same application we see so often in the book of Acts.

That we have to get the gospel out there. That is what continues to happen regardless of where they're at. Regardless of who they're talking to. Regardless of whether or not there is persecution, the gospel is going out in the book of Acts. That is what we keep coming back to. And soon we're going to see that this is going to happen through the most unlikely means, through Saul.

Saul is going to become the missionary to the Gentiles. That is coming up for us next. But we have to remember that just like the apostles here in the book of Acts, the goal is to proclaim the gospel that others might hear and believe the good news. So, may we continue to be striving to do that in our daily lives as we come into contact with those around us.