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Scott's Reference Library
Acts 8:26 through Acts 8:40 (NIV)
26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert
road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27So he started out, and on his way
he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury
of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,
28and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the
prophet. 29The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
30Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the
prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip
to come up and sit with him.
32The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”
34The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about,
himself or someone else?” 35Then Philip began with that very passage of
Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said,
“Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” 38And he gave orders to
stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and
Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went
on his way rejoicing. 40Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about,
preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 26-40
Philip was directed to go to a desert. Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity
to his ministers in very unlikely places. We should study to do good to those we
come into company with by travelling. We should not be so shy of all strangers
as some affect to be. As to those of whom we know nothing else, we know this,
that they have souls. It is wisdom for men of business to redeem time for holy
duties; to fill up every minute with something which will turn to a good
account. In reading the word of God, we should often pause, to inquire of whom
and of what the sacred writers spake; but especially our thoughts should be
employed about the Redeemer. The Ethiopian was convinced by the teaching of the
Holy Spirit, of the exact fulfilment of the Scripture, was made to understand
the nature of the Messiah’s kingdom and salvation, and desired to be numbered
among the disciples of Christ. Those who seek the truth, and employ their time
in searching the Scriptures, will be sure to reap advantages. The avowal of the
Ethiopian must be understood as expressing simple reliance on Christ for
salvation, and unreserved devotion to Him. Let us not be satisfied till we get
faith, as the Ethiopian did, by diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and the
teaching of the Spirit of God; let us not be satisfied till we get it fixed as a
principle in our hearts. As soon as he was baptized, the Spirit of God took
Philip from him, so that he saw him no more; but this tended to confirm his
faith. When the inquirer after salvation becomes acquainted with Jesus and his
gospel, he will go on his way rejoicing, and will fill up his station in
society, and discharge his duties, from other motives, and in another manner
than heretofore. Though baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
with water, it is not enough without the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Lord, grant
this to every one of us; then shall we go on our way rejoicing.