Explaining the Unknown

Introduction

A. Familiar scripture has to be read more carefully. Acts 8 is a familiar passage. It is easy for us to approach this story, read it, and then move on to more exciting stories. Luke inserts this story for a reason. Go back to Acts 1:8. In this text, Jesus instructs his disciples that the gospel will spread. It will begin in Jerusalem, the capital of the nation, then proceed to the surrounding area in Judea, then to Samaria, then to the ends of the earth. Acts 8 demonstrates the completion of Jesus’s plan from Acts 1:8.

B. Philip who according to 6:3 was a spiritual and wise man, leaves Jerusalem and begins spreading the gospel. He goes to Samaria and teaches these people about Jesus. Many believe and are baptized. Acts 8:4-25 tells us about this experience. Then in 8:26-40, Philip teaches an Ethiopian. Since Homer’s “Odyssey” in the tenth century B.C., Ethiopia had been considered the “ends of the earth.” Luke is demonstrating the fulfillment of the command in Acts 1:8. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth.

C. The Ethiopian represents the ends of the earth. Through him, the gospel will go southward. He is an important official. He is the treasurer for the queen of Ethiopia. Her name is not Candace. That is a title. Much like Caesar was a title for the king of Rome. The name Candace means queen mother. Pliny the Elder tells us this in his “Natural History” completed in 77 A.D. This Ethiopian is a God believer. He has been in Jerusalem to worship. He is not a Jew. But he is a believer in the God of Israel. Yet, for all of his belief he is not allowed in the temple. There is an outer court surrounding the temple which allows believing non-Jews to worship. But the believer cannot enter the temple to worship.

D. Can you imagine being denied access to God based on nationality? Can you imagine traveling hundreds of miles so that you can stand on the outside of a building knowing that your faith while intact, is not sufficient to allow full entrance into the presence of God? Denied access. Denied acceptance. Denied relationship. Told to keep your distance. But the Ethiopian didn’t give up his faith or his allegiance. He continued to serve God in the only way he knew. And the travel wasn’t so bad. It gave him time to catch up on his Bible reading. One scroll at a time. Perhaps on one of his journeys to Jerusalem he had bought a copy of Isaiah’s scroll. He would have paid much for the purchase. It may have been the only scroll he had. But it is this scroll that he is reading as he leaves Jerusalem and begins the long journey home.

E. Philip as directed by God’s angel joins up with this Ethiopian. The Ethiopian is reading aloud from his Isaiah scroll. This would have been a common practice. Since words would have been written without spacing between them and in all capitals, reading aloud helped in the understanding. Philip asks the Ethiopian if he understands what he is reading. “No,” he says. “I need a teacher.” And he invites Philip to assist him. Listen to what he was reading. [Isaiah 53:1-12]

F. The Bible says Philip began at this passage and told him the good news about Jesus. Don’t gloss over that sentence. Philip began with Isaiah and told the Ethiopian about Jesus. Today, we are going to teach from the same scroll that Philip did and we are going to see what the good news about Jesus is from Isaiah. Familiar texts have to be read more closely. Philip did not have a Bible all he had was this scroll. So what did he teach him?

Isaiah 53

A. Starting with Is. 53 Philip would have explained that Jesus was the fulfillment of this passage. He would have talked about his miraculous birth. About Jesus’s ministry of healing. He would have talked about his teachings perhaps even quoting a bit of the Sermon on the Mount. But mostly he would have talked about the crucifixion. The Ethiopian may not have known about the event or been limited in his knowledge about the crucifixion. He would have talked about his burial and most assuredly about his resurrection. The Ethiopian would have been perplexed. He may have had a difficult time accepting all that was said.

B. But Philip would not have stopped with Isaiah 53. Philip would have turned the scroll to the next column and read from Isaiah 54. Here God proclaims his love for his people who have turned away from him. Philip would have read verse 8 and talked about God as Redeemer. He would have returned to Isaiah 53 and talk about Jesus’s death as God redeeming his people. How that Jesus’s death paid the price for sin. And then he would have read 54:9 and talked about baptism. How do you get baptism from Is. 54:9? Take the time this afternoon and read 1 Peter 2:21-3:21. Peter quotes Is. 53 in 2:22 and then alludes to Is. 54:9 in discussing the importance of baptism in bringing us into relationship with God. I suggest that if the Holy Spirit could help Peter understand the connection, he could certainly help Philip in a one on one teaching situation.

C. Then there is 55:1 in which God invites all who thirst for spiritual refreshment to come to him. Philip would have yet another opportunity to speak about baptism. Why am I insistent on a discussion about baptism? Because in Acts 8, as Philip and the Ethiopian approach a body of water the Ethiopian wants to be baptized. With a single scroll, how would this man from the ends of the earth know about baptism and its importance in coming into relationship with God unless Philip discussed baptism with him? But don’t stop there. Mentally turn the scroll one more time. Stop at chapter 56. Look at the personal invitation which would have been given.

D. [Read 56:3-8] The man who had bound himself to God felt excluded from fellowship at the temple. God is talking about allowing the Ethiopian inside the temple. Full access. Welcomed into fellowship. The invitation is simple—come to me and choose to please me and hold on to my covenant. Philip would have told him that access to God was now possible through Jesus, the suffering servant of chapter 53. Philip would have told him that access to God was possible through baptism. As the waters saved Noah, so now they could save him. No longer did he have to feel excluded and without access. God was inviting him to place his faith in Jesus.

E. And seeing water, the Ethiopian says he wants to be baptized. He and Philip enter the water. Philip baptizes him and is immediately taken away to another place and another preaching appointment. But the Bible says that the Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing. Is. 56:7 says that the eunuch would be given joy. Isaiah 56 is now fulfilled. Familiar scripture has to be read more carefully. Luke’s inclusion of Philip’s work with the eunuch demonstrates the completion of Jesus’s command from Acts 1:8. It also demonstrates the fulfillment of scripture.

So What?

A. So what does all this mean? First, God uses us to explain to others what they need to know. You are a Philip at work, at home, and in your neighborhood. Join yourself to the caravan of life and listen for those times to offer help.

B. Second, the focus in on Jesus. From Isaiah 53, Philip tells about Jesus. From Is. 54, Philip talks about baptism. From Isaiah 56, Philip offers a clear invitation for the eunuch to come into relationship with God through Jesus. From a single scroll, Philip leads this man to a clearer understanding about God and his will.

C. Third, when the opportunity to respond was given, the eunuch did not hesitate. We can only assume how much he knew about Jesus. Whatever he knew, it was enough to convince him that this Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s plan for bringing people to him. No longer excluded. No longer on the outside looking in. No longer feeling isolated. No longer having to profess faith through another set of laws. Free access. Complete relationship. The offer was too good to pass up. This same Jesus wants to be your redeemer. This same Jesus went to the cross to pay the penalty for your sin. He now wants to be your Savior. He issues a personal invitation to come to him. Will you accept it?

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