Acts 8:26-40

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch followed the norm for Christian conversion.

  2. The baptism of the Ethiopian Eunuch followed the norm for Christian baptism.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Be willing to leave a successful ministry.

QUESTIONS

  1. Who was the Ethiopian Eunuch?

  2. What portion of Scripture was the Ethiopian Eunuch reading?

  3. How was the Holy Spirit working in the life of the Ethiopian Eunuch before he was saved?

  4. Outline the normal way in which people become Christians.

  5. What is the purpose of baptism? What does it symbolize?

ANSWERS

  1. Ethiopia at the time was the region south of Egypt. This man had the high position of treasurer to the queen of Ethiopia. Apparently, he was a proselyte of Judaism and had been to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple.

  2. He was reading the messianic passage from Isaiah 53.

  3. The Ethiopian Eunuch recognized that the God of Israel was the one true God. He was brought into contact with the Bible and he heard the Word of God. Then Philip came along to explain the Scripture to him.

  4. They are brought under the sound Word of God. Someone explains the Word to them. Having heard the Word, they understand, and come to faith in Christ.

  5. Baptism is a testimony to the world that you have become a Christian and have identified with Christ. By being immersed in baptism you symbolize that you have identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6).

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Review how you could use the messianic passage in Isaiah 53 to witness to your Jewish friend. What should you especially note about verse 8? “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” Acts 8:35

  2. What is your testimony of conversion and baptism? Does it follow the norm which we saw in the Ethiopian Eunuch?

CHALLENGE

  1. The Lord called Philip away from his successful ministry in Samaria to go preach to the Ethiopian Eunuch in the wilderness. Philip did not argue with God’s plan for his life and his ministry. You can trust God’s plan for your life too!

KEY VERSES

  • “So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’” Acts 8:30-31

  • “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” Acts 8:35

  • “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Acts 8:37



Acts, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsActs 8:26-40