THE CONVERSION
OF THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH
By Brian V. Sullivan
Through the years of my life I have heard many different
sermons and Bible classes on Acts 8, and the Ethiopian Eunuch. The most
obvious, and
probably the safest approach, is to read it as it unfolds in the text of
Acts 8:26-39 and believe it.
For our purposes today, let us suggest some of
the other lessons or approaches that might be drawn.
First, we learn that
a person who worships under the elements of the Law of Moses (travellng to
Jerusalem, etc.) still needs to learn about Christ.
Second, that even people who
have important positions (a treasurer of great authority under the Queen
of the
Ethiopians,
v. 27)
need
to be made
aware
of
salvation through Christ.
Third, we are reminded that God has chosen to
circulate the gospel by preaching, not by direct Divine communication.
Though both angels and the Holy Spirit operated in the background to bring
Philip to the right place to connect with the Eunuch, Philip was the means
by which the message was delivered.
Fourth, we have to applaud the study
approach of the Eunuch. He had read from Isaiah 53, and already formulated
some questions about what he read and was seeking an answer.
Fifth, when
Philip started at that very place and preached Christ, the man listened to
his words. He wasn't so busy trying to think of the next question that he
missed the answer to the first one.
Finally, he demonstrates that obedience
to Christ should not be postponed (vv. 35-39). What will we do with God's
will?
Brian V. Sullivan