PHILIP BAPTIZES A MAN FROM ETHIOPIA
DEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 56:1–8
Background Scripture: Acts 8:26–39
Acts 8:26–39
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understand-est thou what thou readiest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaks the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believes with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
KEY VERSE
As they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?—Acts 8:36
A LIVING FAITH
Unit 2: Who Understands Faith?
LESSONS 6–9
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to:
1. Tell how the Ethiopian eunuch came to know the Lord Jesus.
2. Explain how Philip’s example in sharing Christ with the eunuch can be followed by evangelists today.
3. Join (or launch) the personal evangelism ministry in his or her congregation.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. Get the Word Out
B. Lesson Background
I. God’s Appointment (ACTS 8:26–29)
A. Angel’s Command (v. 26)
Desiring the Desert?
B. Devout Man (vv. 27, 28)
C. Spirit’s Instructions (v. 29)
II. Philip’s Message (ACTS 8:30–35)
A. Offer and Invitation (vv. 30, 31)
B. Prophecy and Puzzlement (vv. 32, 33)
C. Fulfillment and Jesus (vv. 34, 35)
III. Eunuch’s Decision (ACTS 8:36–39)
A. Eager Response (vv. 36, 37)
Reluctant Baptisms
B. Joyful Baptism (vv. 38, 39)
Conclusion
A. Long-awaited Deliverance
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2012–2013, ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood (Cincinnati, OH: Standard, 2012). 73-74.
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