Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Chapter eight of the book of Acts begins with a great persecution of the church by what was then the notorious Pharisee, Saul; “and they were all scattered abroad through the regions of Judea and Samaria. . .except the apostles.”

Phillip, under Divine anointing and leadership went down to Samaria. There he was to be found preaching and performing miracles. Great joy swept across the city as the people with one accord gave heed, hearing and seeing.

Apparently, Phillip “must needs go through Samaria” even as did the Lord. His message now was that “this same Jesus” upon whom many had believed when He was there, had been crucified, died for their sins, had risen from the grave, and ascended into Heaven.

At this point there was something of a transition period where those who would have been classified as Old Testament saints were now, through faith in Christ and the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant, identified as New Testament saints.

However, there is another connection between Christ, Phillip, Samaria, and believe it or not, theEthiopian Eunuch!

The chain of events to follow bring to the surface a number of questions: In verse 25 of Acts chapter 8, the apostles and Phillip return to Jerusalem, preaching in many villages of the Samaritans along the way. Upon returning to Jerusalem it appears that Phillip resumed his labor. Shortly thereafter the Angel of the Lord spake unto Phillip: I have no difficulty believing Him to be none other than Christ Himself: the command given is to “arise and go” toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem to Gaza. (In the very next chapter it is none other than Christ who appears to Saul: again, the command given: “arise and go” into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Phillip was likewise commissioned, not being told what he must do until he arrived on the scene.)

Phillip, departing in faith, arrives at God’s designated crossroad, where he was to meet with the Ethiopian eunuch. (Pardon the pun, but it was for the eunuch a Cross-road, for here he was to meet the Savior!)

Verse 27 of our text reveals that the eunuch had come to Jerusalem, not on a business trip (although he was the Secretary of the Treasury of Ethiopia!) No, his purpose for traveling hundreds of miles from his native country to Jerusalem, (authenticated by the scriptures,) was to worship! Though he may have bowed before many gods, yet there was a power so great as to cause him, at much effort, time, and expense; to seek the One True God; a God that he as yet, had not known.

He had journeyed to Jerusalem in hope of finding and worshipping the Living God! But alas! His journey appeared to have been fruitless! What saith the scripture? “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to Jerusalem?” One may, as Abraham, look for a city whose builder and maker is God - New Jerusalem - but first he must seek a Person: the Lord Jesus Christ!

The one treasure with which this treasurer was returning, was a parchment containing the book of Isaiah the prophet; a book that we know to gloriously reveal our Lord! The eunuch had not yetworshipped, he did not as yet understand the scriptures, he had not as yet been born again, he had not yet believed, for he had not yet heard!

The end result of the accomplishing of these things? “And he (the eunuch) went on his way rejoicing!Acts 8:39.

But why? Why an Ethiopian? The apostles and Phillip were there in Jerusalem. The eunuch was there in Jerusalem. Why was he not saved there? Why would the Lord so arrange such a strange rendezvous in the middle of nowhere, in the desert? What purpose of the Spirit to record it for our benefit?

In search of answers, let us return to Samaria: the scene; Jesus, at Jacob’s well, talking to the woman who had come to draw water.

We shall return again to the scripture concerning Christ and “Living Water,” but for now let us look at John 4:19. Jesus had just announced to the woman that she had been married to 5 husbands and was now dwelling with one to whom she was not married. Her reply was accurate: “I perceive that thou art a prophet.”

If one carefully examines the gospels he will find that much if not most, of those things spoken by our Lord are in the realm of prophesy. Many chapters contain those things concerning the “end-time;” He constantly looks into things future.

The Samaritan woman attempts to sidetrack Him away from the true issues of the heart: “let’s debate about religion!” Sound familiar?

“Our fathers worshipped in this mountain. . .” “My grandparents and theirs before them, worshipped in this church!”

“And ye [all you Jews] say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. . .But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shallworship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.”

What may we see, if we compare scripture with scripture; laying John chapter 4 along side of Acts chapter 8? Is it possible that the Holy Spirit has recorded the encounter of Deacon Phillip with a wealthy Ethiopian, in the middle of the desert, to make known the fulfillment of prophesy uttered by the Lord Jesus in John chapter 4? And just how do those scriptures compare?

First, the woman speaks of two kinds of worshippers: those who worship in “this mountain” and “ye” Jews who worship at Jerusalem. But Christ reveals a third worshipper; one who need not worship on a mountain, nor in a city. It is a True Worshipper; one who worships the Father, in Spirit and in Truth. It is one who need not “journey to Jerusalem to worship,” as did the eunuch. “For ye are the temple of the Living God.” II Cor.6:15. “If a man love me, he will keep my Words: and my Father will love him, and Wewill come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23.

(Incidentally, all you that look at John 14:2,3 taking delight in a mansion, glory in this: that not only is there a dwelling place for you, but you are the designated dwelling place for the Thrice Holy God! Further, that you will “sit with Me in my throne. . .even as I AM set down with my Father in His throne!” Rev.3:21 (Let us take care that we do not concern ourselves more with the “place” than we do the “Person”: and with the mansion, more than the “Master!”)

Second, the eunuch came to Jerusalem to worship, but True Worship was not to be found in the traditions and rituals of Self-worshipping men.

Third, as an Ethiopian we are made to know of a certainty that he qualified for neither “Jew” nor “Samaritan!” He is soon to find himself in that third catagory: the True Worshipper.

“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.”

“There is neither Jew nor Greek. . .for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are yeAbraham’s seed, and heirs to the promise” Gal. 3:28,29.

“Gentiles. . .who are called Uncircumcision. . .aliens from the commonwealth of Israel . . . strangers from the covenants of promise. . .far off. . .made nigh. . .hath made both one. . .that he might reconcileboth unto God in one body. . .no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. . .builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” Eph.2.

“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter. . .” Romans 2:28,29.

Fourth, Phillip and the eunuch, although both were in Jerusalem probably at the same time, were brought together in the middle of nowhere in order that the Truth might be revealed to him, in order that he might become a believer in Spirit and in Truth, in order that he might be the true worshipper of whom Jesus spoke, that there might be a demonstration, an example given, to make manifest the prophesy of our Lord in John chapter 4!

Presuming the reader is most likely well versed in the account given of the witness of Phillip and the conversion of the eunuch, we shall make no attempt to walk upon well trodden ground.

One other line of thought and we’re through.

“Then Phillip. . .preached unto him Jesus.” “And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water.” “And the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

There is a Divine order: the presence of the Word of God: The written Word, the Spirit of Christ; The Spirit of Truth who has long since been drawing him; the hearing of that Truth. Willing faith that sees, is persuaded by, embraces, and confesses Christ as God, as Savior, as Lord. (Read Heb. 11:13)

As Saul (Paul,) immediately upon conversion: the cry of his heart is this: “Lord, what wilt thou have me do?” A testimony rings forth from the new born; it is the willingness to obey. “What prevents me - now - to follow the Lord in Believer’s baptism?”

“See, here is water.” Yes but know this: that before he was put into the water, the Water was put into him! The eunuch found himself in the middle of a dry desert, yet his thirsting for God far exceeded any physical thirst he might attain.

When John baptized Jesus, it was certainly not in response to confession of sin. What then? First, as a sure testimony unto John himself: “And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel,therefore am I come baptizing with water.” “And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bear record that this is the Son of God” John 1:33-34.

Though sinless and without Adam’s fallen nature, yet is our Lord baptized at the beginning of His public ministry; a picture of one dying to self-will, raised to walk in total submission to the Father. In John 5:30 Jesus declares, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” Totally yielded to the Father, He refused to do anything that was of Himself, that is, apart from the Father.

In Romans 12, the believer is to present himself a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God. how fittingly does baptism demonstrate it; two sides may be seen: first, the believer must needs die to self-life, that second, he may present himself to the Father.

“The Spirit of the Lord caught away Phillip the eunuch saw him no more. . .and he went on his wayrejoicing!” Within his bosom - the Eternal, Indwelling Spirit.

The eunuch left home as one in charge of the treasure of Candace, Queen of Ethiopia: he returned home as one being a joint heir of the treasures of Christ, King of Heaven!

Returning again to John chapter 4 and the Samaritan woman: “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee Living Water.” “Whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but. . . shall be in him a well of water springing up into Everlasting Life.”