Jesus Christ
Philip Preached unto him Jesus
Welcome to the continuation of Acts of the Apostles Bible Study, Apostle Philip Preached Jesus Christ to the Ethiopian Eunuch . Today, we resume at Acts 8:36 – 40.
The Ethiopian Eunuch – EE – asked Apostle Philip a question and in his reply, Philip “preached unto him Jesus,” Acts 8:35. The Scriptures did not explicitly explain what about Jesus Christ Philip preached to the EE. However, we shall infer these things from their conversation.
While Philip and the EE traveled sitting on his chariot the Apostle told him about Jesus and salvation. Then as they approached a body of water the EE asked Philip, “see here is water, what do hinder me to be baptized?” This is the first time we learn there is a hindrance to water baptism, Acts 8:36.
From this statement and this question respectively, we know the Apostle Philip discussed water baptism and its prerequisites with the EE. However, we still are not certain what they discussed for these statements alone tell us very little.
Then Philip replied, if you believe with all your heart, then you shall be baptized, Acts 8:37. However, we know they also discussed faith in God. Observe, Philip’s reply is still an incomplete thought. We are not told, what or whom the EE should believe on.
However, the Lord always gives us the answers we seek for the EE next response provides the answer. He says, “I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” Acts 8:37.
For a man who did not know about Jesus before he spoke to Philip to answer in this manner reveals the content of Philip’s preaching to him while they traveled. Having been told by Philip who Jesus is and the importance of faith in him the EE can now say he believes in Jesus.
I Believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God
The EE by saying, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” has confessed his faith in Christ as his Savior, Romans 10:10. The EE believed in his heart and proclaimed Christ with his mouth.
Then this powerful and influential man who did not stop to take Philip on-board his chariot did something strange. He ordered the driver to stop the “chariot”, Acts 8:38.
Apostle Philip “preached” (to the EE) immersion in water is the only correct mode of baptism. If immersion in water was not how the Apostles and the First Century Church baptize Believers there would be no need for both Philip and the EE to go down “into the water,” and be baptized of Philip, Acts 8:38 – 39. Philip could easily go to the water’s edge and collect some of the fluid and sprinkled the EE. But no, they both went into the water and they both “came up out of the water.”
Finally, we learnt the content of Philip’s sermon to EE by their questions and answers. Philip “preached” Jesus Christ is the Son of God to the EE. Philip also “preached” the importance of believing in Jesus to be baptized in his name to receive the Promise of the Father. Philip “preached” the importance, mode and hindrance of water baptism.
Philip Preached the Imperative of Receiving the Spirit of Jesus – Holy Ghost
In closing, Philip preached the imperative of receiving the Holy Ghost and the hindrance to the advent of the Holy Spirit. Philip did not tell the EE of any hindrances to baptism before he asked the question for if he did the EE would not want to know as expressed by asking. However, Philip told him about Simon in the “City of Samaria” and his obstacle to receiving the Holy Ghost.
Therefore, the EE wants to know, if there are hindrances similar to bad heart before God, which prevented Simon from receiving the Holy Ghost that may prevent him from being baptized. Philip replies, if your are sold out to the notion that Jesus is the Son of God then it OK.
Philip’s sermon to the EE is the same sermon he preached to the “City of Samaria.” Today, it is still the same sermon of Jesus Christ we preach to receive salvation: believe, repentance, water baptism and Spirit baptism.
In closing the Lord Jesus Raptures Philip to Azotus about thirty miles north of where he baptized the EE. Therefore, the EE did not see Philip any more for Philip came like the wind and he left like a quite storm, John 3:8. This is exactly how Jesus will snatch away his Church just like he did Philip. Then the EE continued his journey happily for he “went on his way rejoicing,” Acts 8:39. No body can receive salvation and not rejoice, no one! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus never changes!
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