Introduction:

1. Last week we saw the gospel flow into Judea and Samaria (8:1-25).

2. This week the gospel makes its way towards the African continent carried by an Ethiopian eunuch (cf. 1:8).

3. Several key teachings arise from this text.

Discussion:

I. The Eunuch’s Character

A. He was a religious man like so many other converts in Acts (vs. 27).

B. He was a student of the Scriptures (vs. 28).

C. He was morally upright, overseeing Cadace’s treasury (vs. 27).

D. He was a man of humble spirit (vv. 30-34).

E. By every measure, he was a good man.

II. The Eunuch’s Condition

A. Yet, he was a man in need of salvation in Christ (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9).

B. Religious piety cannot save a soul; only the gospel of Christ has that power (Matthew 7:21-23; Romans 1:16-17; 10:13-17; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

III. Preaching Jesus

A. An angel sent Philip to the eunuch’s vicinity (vs. 26), and the Holy Spirit instructed him to join the eunuch’s chariot (vs. 29).

B. Is it not a little curious that Philip was sent to preach Jesus despite an angel of the Lord and the Holy Spirit being present?

C. This further undermines the direct operation theory we saw before.

D. The text gives key clues as to the content of preaching Jesus:

1. It clearly highlights His suffering and death (Isaiah 53; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

2. It clearly implies His resurrection and ascension (Romans 6:3-4).

3. It clearly stressed the essentiality of baptism (vv. 36-39).

4. It appears Philip preached precisely what Peter had preached previously, and so ought we today (2:22-38; cf. Galatians 1:6-9).

E. The result was the eunuch going on his way rejoicing (cf. 16:34).

1. The geographical spread of the gospel is proceeding as Jesus stated.

2. This narrative further corroborates the need for gospel proclamation as the NT knows no other means of salvation for lost souls.

3. Though we have no angel telling us to go, the Scriptures clearly do.