Acts 8:36-40 36And as they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, so went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through, he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Riding in a chariot or carriage of some type over bumpy roads while explaining the gospel using Isaiah 53 as a key text was no small feat for Philip, but he was blessed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. God was moving in the Ethiopian’s heart and mind as understanding came to him. At some point, Philip began to apply the gospel to the Ethiopian, and the seed of the Ethiopian’s search through worship and seeking through Scripture began to grow to the point of needing to make some form of decision. Somewhere between verses 35 and 36, Philip must have discussed with the man the type of decision he needed to make: believe in Jesus, repent of his sins, and show this by being baptized. The Ethiopian acted out his faith by taking the initiative of faith by stopping the chariot when they came across water. Finding water out in the wilderness was no chance but divine providence at just the right point in the journey.
The Ethiopian’s question at the end of verse 37 has a powerful echo for anyone who reads Acts. What is keeping anyone from being baptized? What excuse can a person come up with that is more significant than eternal life? ln the case of the Ethiopian, things like race, skin color, position, nationality, or setting were no excuses. The assumed answer to his question is that nothing should stop him from being baptized. He believed the gospel and was ready to make the commitment. After the Ethiopian ordered the chariot to stop, Philip’s response was immediate. He had experienced many spiritual breakthroughs in Samaria, and now with an African. He had an evangelistic vision that saw through any human or earthly obstacle. A clue to the meaning of baptism also stands behind this story. Baptism was the way the Ethiopian showed his new faith and commitment. Baptism is the outward act of the inner decision of faith.
The story has a curious ending after Philip and the Ethiopian came out of the water. The Ethiopian continued on his journey a changed person evidenced by his rejoicing. Not only was his curiosity about the meaning of Isaiah 53 now solved, but his whole life changed. He represents the first person to take the Christian faith to Africa. Philip was snatched away (hērpasen), a word often translated as “rapture” in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 that can mean a sudden departure or something taken away quickly. Philip became like Elijah, who was also carried away by God’s Spirit (1 Kings 18:12; 2 Kings 2:16).
The miraculous, divine transport had the purpose of sending Philip to another place that needed the gospel. Azotus was another way to say the ancient Philistine city of Ashdod. This city was located north of Gaza and was a strategic port city throughout ancient times. Philip made his way north along the coast, peaching the gospel in the small cities until he reached the major port city of Caesarea. This city may have been Philip’s hometown. It contained the residence of the Roman governor of Judea, so it was a strategic place to share the gospel. The story of Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch shows the work of God’s grace and providence, a disciple’s faithful obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and a seeker who found the answer to his greatest need.
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