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Philip and an Ethiopian Official
26The Lord's angel said to Philip, “Go south along the desert road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27So Philip left.
An important Ethiopian official happened to be going along that road in his chariot. He was the chief treasurer for Candace, the Queen of Ethiopia. The official had gone to Jerusalem to worship 28and was now on his way home. He was sitting in his chariot, reading the book of the prophet Isaiah.
29The Spirit told Philip to catch up with the chariot. 30Philip ran up close and heard the man reading aloud from the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31The official answered, “How can I understand unless someone helps me?” He then invited Philip to come up and sit beside him.
32 The man was reading the passage that said,
“He was led like a sheep
on its way to be killed.
He was silent as a lamb
whose wool
is being cut off,
and he did not say
a word.
33He was treated like a nobody
and did not receive
a fair trial.
How can he have children,
if his life
is snatched away?”
34The official said to Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or about someone else?” 35So Philip began at this place in the Scriptures and explained the good news about Jesus.
36-37As they were going along the road, they came to a place where there was some water. The official said, “Look! Here is some water. Why can't I be baptized?” 38He ordered the chariot to stop. Then they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
39After they had come out of the water, the Lord's Spirit took Philip away. The official never saw him again, but he was very happy as he went on his way.
40Philip later appeared in Azotus. He went from town to town, all the way to Caesarea, telling people about Jesus.
Reflect
The earlier sections of Acts 8 indicate that Philip was having an exciting time sharing the gospel in the region of Samaria. Many people were responding. In the midst of this productive ministry God sends Philip some distance away to meet a single person. This individual has political status, is a Jewish proselyte, is learned enough to read the Hebrew text of Isaiah, and is Ethiopian. Jesus’ mission includes Ethiopia.
It must have taken Philip some effort to travel from Samaria, through Jerusalem and down the road to Gaza in order to meet up with this official’s chariot. He has to run to catch up to the vehicle. His strenuous efforts are rewarded with the official’s invitation to join him in the chariot. Did the official recognize the sudden appearance of Philip as a “God-thing”?
Philip explains the good news of Jesus, beginning with Isaiah 53, the passage the official was reading, but he expands his explanation to include other Old Testament prophecies (compare Luke 24:44-49). The man responds in faith. Philip’s presentation must have included teaching about baptism as part of a person’s faith response, because the official desires to be baptized as soon as they come to some water. Once this occurs “the Lord’s Spirit took Philip away” and the official is filled with happiness.
With whom has God arranged appointments for you to share the good news? Philip had no awareness when he woke up that morning what God had in store for him. His presumed schedule was left behind as God directed his steps, but the ultimate outcome was a new Jesus follower – a person of influence. Who knows what mission work this official did upon his return to Ethiopia.
Respond
Dear Father God, I do not know what appointments with eternal significance you have for me today. May I be attuned to your direction and bold to share the good news as you provide the opportunities. Help me to be ready, knowing the scriptures and able to explain how Jesus is the key to the promises of God. Thank you for your amazing attention to detail and how you act to bring individuals into your kingdom. Amen.
Larry Perkins
Dr. Perkins is professor emeritus of biblical studies at Northwest Baptist Seminary and the Associated Canadian Theological Schools (ACTS) of Trinity Western University with primary teaching focus in New Testament and Septuagint Studies. He is also director emeritus of NBS’ Korean Language Programs division. He is one of the founding members of the John William Wevers Institute for Septuagint Studies. Dr. Perkins served as Dean and President of NBS, as well as Dean of ACTS, the Graduate School of Theological Studies for Trinity Western University. He is married to Judy and they have four children and eleven grandchildren. They are partners with SouthRidge Fellowship Baptist Church, Langley, B.C. Books: Exodus, in A New English Translation of the Septuagint and the Other Greek Translations Traditionally Included under that Title, ed. Albert Pietersma and Benjamin Wright (New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007; The Pastoral Letters. A Handbook on the Greek Text (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2017); The Art of Kubernēsis (1 Corinthians 12:28). Leading as the Church Board Chairperson (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2019).