Acts Chapter 8:26-40 Beam Me Up Scotty B ack in the day. do you get the feeling nothing happens to me any more? Anyway, Janette and I were involved in leading one of the pilot programs for the contemporary small group movement. As might be expected in a pilot program, some of the things we did were silly and some weren t necessarily consistent with my own personal approach. The format of the sessions was Bible study, a sharing time, and outreach training and projects. One of the latter fell under the category of a silly use of a biblical model. One of the members suggested using Joshua s march around the walls of Jericho as an example for outreach. So the group choose a neighborhood near the church as the target. For six weeks we d go out, walk around the neighborhood placing tracts on each door and praying for those in the house. Then week seven we marched around seven times and then started ringing doorbells. moving on. Oh, you ask, what happened? Not much. We did get to witness to one family, but I don t think anything came from that. As far as the other? Keep in mind this was a Catholic neighborhood because our church was just down the street from Mission Dolores. Now speaking of the latter, another of the things we did I wasn t personally comfortable with, though it didn t fall under silly, was training people to use the Four Spiritual Laws. After they understood how to use them they were to use them with at least one person. Now encouraging people to reach out with the Gospel, those who normally didn t was a good thing. I just found this specific approach simplistic. Nevertheless since I was the leader of this specific group, I knew I would have to do the exercise myself. So one day at work, which shows what you could get away with then, I asked a coworker if she would mind my sharing the Four Spiritual Laws with her. And much to my chagrin, she prayed to accept the Lord. So the Holy Spirit moves as He chooses. III Peter and the Gospel to the Jews 1:1-12:24 To the Jew First (Judea and Samaria) C. The Church Scattered by Persecution 8:1-12:24 1. Philip s Ministry in Samaria and to the Ethiopian Eunuch 8:1-40 d. Philip Moves Beyond Verses 26-40 i. Hearing the Spirit Verses 26-27a ii. Reading the Word Verses 27b-33 iii. Studying the Word Verses 34-35 iv. Responding to the Word Verses 36-40
Introduction: As we enter this next section, I want to point out two things. First, at this point we no longer have a handle on the chronological flow. While the sense is these events are all occurring fairly rapidly from Pentecost there is no way to actually tell. Second, we know the Apostles and the deacons, as well as other followers of the Way who have fled the persecution in Jerusalem, are spreading the Gospel in Judea and Samaria. Luke, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, is providing specific events that have illustrative importance. And it is one of those we are considering this morning. d. Philip Moves Beyond: i. Hearing the Spirit: Clearly the working of the Holy Spirit is unique here for we find only a few similar events in Scripture. And it s nature is such that very few would try to claim these events are normative. In this section Luke demonstrates how the Gospel would move out side the its Jewish boundaries to encompass all peoples. Paul is the one who finalizes the process by which the barriers are torn down. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). So the Holy Spirit directs Philip to go towards Gaza. The starting point and ending point are not the point here. What is important is Philip is acting on the direct leading of the Holy Spirit. As we have seen often in scripture God directs circumstances to His own purposes. This is the case whether it is the movement of entire nations to bring a Jewish couple from Nazareth to Bethlehem or a single individual along a road to meet an Ethiopian eunuch. Earl, et al, note the following regarding the Jewish and biblical view of eunuchs. In the ancient world, a eunuch was an official, typically castrated, who served in a royal court (see 2Kgs 9:30-32; Esth 1:10; 2:3, 14-15, 21; 4:4-5). Eunuchs were often scorned by Jews because they could not perpetuate the covenant family, and the law of Moses excluded men who had damaged genitals from the assembly of Israel (Deut 23:1; Lev 21:17-23), but Isaiah spoke of God s acceptance of Gentiles and eunuchs (Isa 56:3-8; see also Matt 19:12). In the new covenant, all who have genuine faith have a place among the people of God. 1 Then Jehu went to Jezreel. When Jezebel heard about it, she painted her eyes, arranged her hair and looked out of a window. As Jehu entered the gate, she asked, Have you come in peace, Zimri, you murderer of your master? He looked up at the window and called out, Who is on my side? Who? Two or three eunuchs looked down at him (2 Kings 9:30-32). No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the LORD (Deuteronomy 23:1). Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the LORD say, The LORD will surely exclude me from his people. 1 Earle, Ralph, and Walter W. Wessel, The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1985. ) 158 (
And let not any eunuch complain, I am only a dry tree. For this is what the LORD says: To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off. And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations. The Sovereign LORD declares he who gathers the exiles of Israel: I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered. (Isaiah 56:3-8). One might argue that not only did Philip s ministry to the Ethiopian portend the beginning of the expansion of the Way to the Gentiles, but also the beginning of the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy regarding the same. Marshall notes specifically regarding the eunuch The man came from the country now known as Sudan (rather than modern Ethiopia) where he was a eunuch employed in the court service of the queen mother, who was known by the hereditary title of Candace and was the effective ruler of the country. 2 ii. Reading the Word: By the way, keeping all of the above in mind we can see how devoted this individual must have been in his desire to understand God because even if he wanted to he would have been rejected from the temple, not because he was a Gentile, but because he was a eunuch. Nevertheless, he had still come to Jerusalem to worship. And the message to individuals today is, no one who truly seeks the Lord will be rejected from His fellowship. We know the eunuch was obviously interested in understanding about God because when Philip came upon him, he was reading from the book of Isaiah, specifically Chapter 53, Verses 7-8. Parenthetically, it s interesting to remember Isaiah 53 is systematically ignored by contemporary Judaism. And as Philip explains it to the eunuch it is easy to see why. What should be the most encouraging, to us, about this passage is how the Holy Spirit can use a committed believer to advance the ministry. He directed Philip to go to the eunuch. But He also was working in the eunuch s heart in that He was studying, but not understanding the Word. He was also open to having someone teach him its meaning. And finally, he was open to Philip being that individual. Now as to the passage. We would read He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken (Isaiah 53:7-8). 2 Marshall, I Howard, Tyndale Commentary, Vol. 5, Acts, Downers Grove, IL, 2008, p. 172. ) 159 (
Looking back, as Philip was and we do, it is easy to see this was looking towards Christ. And it was no accident that the eunuch was reading this specific passage. He was orchestrating all aspects of this encounter. The other point is faith starts with the working of the Word, either through hearing it or reading it. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us? So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:14 17). iii. Studying the Word: Being exposed to the word isn t enough. It allows the Spirit to begin the work of salvation. But then the word must be studied. Questions asked must be questions that are answered. So Philip begins the process. Sounds a bit familiar doesn t it. And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he [Christ] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself (Luke 24:27). Philip s approach to witnessing is another example to us. He doesn t have his own agenda, but rather starts with were the eunuch is. Too often believers think they have to follow some preset approach to witnessing. Instead, they must be open to the Spirit s leading. iv. Responding to the Word: So far we ve seen the Holy Spirit acting with a two fold purpose. One was the salvation of a specific individual. And second His broader purpose was to begin the fulfillment of both Old Testament prophecies and Christ s words with the movement of the Gospel to the Gentiles. In doing so, He instructed Philip and moved the heart of the eunuch. This latter is most obvious in the immediate response to God s truth by the eunuch. The eunuch s question, What keeps me from being baptized? raises its own obvious question. How did the eunuch know to ask about baptism? Apparently he and Philip must have had an extended discussion that went well beyond just the issue of salvation. Oh, and by the way, it was probably just a coincidence that just at the point the question of baptism comes up the chariot happens to pass one of those rare parts of the desert where there s a watering hole. Coincidence, right! So, Philip and the eunuch leave the chariot, go down into the water, and Philip baptizes the man. Then we come to what Paul Flood calls the Star Trek section. This is because the Holy Spirit beams Philip and deposits him at Azotus. While Azotus may not be familiar, it is better known under it s previous name Ashdod. The Holman Bible Dictionary notes: Extrabiblical Sources In the Greek period Ashdod was known as Azotus and was a flourishing city until being captured by Israel during the Maccabean period. Judas Maccabeus destroyed altars and images ) 160 (
in Ashdod (1 Macc. 5:68), and Jonathan later burned the temple of Dagon, those who took refuge there, and ultimately the city itself (1 Macc. 10:84-87). Josephus reported that Pompey separated Ashdod from Israel after his victory (63 B.C.), Gabinius rebuilt the city, and it was joined to the province of Syria. Augustus granted it to Herod the Great. Herod left it to his sister Salome, who in turn willed it to Julia, the wife of Augustus. Its greatness as a city ended with the Roman destruction of A.D. 67, although it was occupied at least through the sixth century. 3 So Philip travels north along the coast all the way to Caesarea preaching the gospel, and though the text doesn t say so probably continuing to do signs and wonders. And speaking of Caesarea, this is where Philip seems to have settled (see 21:8). Caesarea was a city with a large Greek-speaking population. Originally a small harbor town known as Strato s Tower, it was rebuilt by Herod the Great in magnificent Hellenistic style with a greatly improved harbor. In Philip s day it was the seat of the Roman government of Judea. Excavations have yielded significant finds, including the Herodian port and theater, an amphitheater shaped like a hippodrome for horse races, a palace built on a promontory out into the sea (frequently identified as Herod s palace), and a great raised aqueduct. Herod built a temple to Augustus here, and an inscription found in the theater mentions Pontius Pilate s dedication of a Tiberium (a sacred site devoted to the emperor Tiberius). Tense relations existed between the mixed Jewish and Gentile inhabitants, and one cause of the First Jewish Revolt (A.D. 66 73) was the Gentile desecration of the Jewish synagogue in Caesarea. 4 And so we leave Philip to the rest of his life in Caesarea. Which means next week we will move into a new section where the main person is Paul. Conclusion: The most obvious application of this section is a call to personal evangelism. The obvious resource is the Holy Spirit. The most obvious requirement is obedience generating availability and willingness to set aside one s own plans for the Spirit s leading. Let s face it the work of the church is the work of each and everyone of us, be we in the pulpit or in the pew. The opportunities cross cultures, races, social economic groups, etc. And while generally the Lord places us in the path of those we have something in common with, like Philip we may find ourselves in a situation totally outside our comfort zone. What is important is the work and God s glory, not our comfort. Fernando summarizes by noting: A servant girl from Israel influenced her master, Namaan, the commander of the army of Aram, to seek contact with the God of the Israelites and to experience his healing (2 Kings 5). Philip led a high Ethiopian official to Christ. A desperately poor servant filled with the joy of the Lord had a marked influence on a theology student at Oxford University, John Wesley, who knew nothing of his joy and freedom.20 In India today we are hearing of some high caste Brahmins, who are usually resistant to the gospel, coming to Christ through the witness of Christian servants working in their homes. When an opportunity comes to talk to someone about Christ, we must pray for guidance, be aware of our shortcomings, and launch out into loving witness about our Savior. 5 One of the blessings that comes along with our salvation is the opportunity to go out into the world making disciples of all peoples. But this week, just talk a look outside your front door. 3 Brand, Chad, gen. ed., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, TN, 2003. 4 Dennis, Lane T. and Wayne Grudem, eds., English Standard Version (ESV) Study Bible, Crossway Bibles, Wheaton, IL, 2008. 5 Fernando, Ajith, NIV Application Commentary, The, Acts, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1998 ) 161 (
Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. (John 20:21). So send I you by grace made strong to triumph O er hosts of hell, o er darkness, death and sin, My name to bear and in that name to conquer So send I you, My victory to win. So send I you My strength to know in weakness, My joy in grief, My perfect peace in pain, To prove My pow r, My grace, My promised presence So send I you, eternal fruit to gain. 6 So send I you to take to souls in bondage The Word of Truth that sets the captive free, To break the bonds of sin, to loose death s fetters So send I you, to bring the lost to Me. So send I you to bear My cross with patience, And then one day with joy to lay it down, To hear My voice, Well done, My faithful servant Come share My throne, My kingdom and My crown! 6 Clarkson, Margaret, The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration, So Send I You-by Grace Made Strong, Word Music, Waco, TX, 1986, #311. ) 162 (
Acts Chapter 8:26-40 Beam Me Up Scotty III Peter and the Gospel to the Jews 1:1-12:24 To the Jew First (Judea and Samaria) C. The Church Scattered by Persecution 8:1-12:24 1. Philip s Ministry in Samaria and to the Ethiopian Eunuch 8:1-40 d. Philip Moves Beyond Verses 26-40 i. Hearing the Spirit Verses 26-27a ii. Reading the Word Verses 27b-33 iii. Studying the Word Verses 34-35 iv. Responding to the Word Verses 36-40 Introduction: d. Philip Moves Beyond: i. Hearing the Spirit: (Galatians 3:28; 2 Kings 9:30-32; Deuteronomy 23:1; Isaiah 56:3-8) ii. Reading the Word: (Isaiah 53:7-8; Romans 10:14 17)
iii. Studying the Word: (Luke 24:27) iv. Responding to the Word: Conclusion: (John 20:21) Personal Application: Who can you minister to this week with either the Gospel or more holistically as they are in need for comfort or aid. Prayer for the Week: Lord, help us be aware of those around us, sensitive to the Spirit s leading, willing to present Your message of hope and comfort. In Christ s name, amen.