Philip and The Ethiopian Eunuch

Acts 8:26-40 (NIV)

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.  When 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. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

Emphasis Mine

Quite a lengthy portion of scripture and very life transforming. As we read this story, we get to understand that the Spirit of the Lord led Philip close to where the Ethiopian Eunuch was reading scriptures. Philip asked the Ethiopian Eunuch if he understood what he was reading and the Ethiopian Eunuch’s response was this “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?”(vs 31). There are so many lessons we can learn from this lengthy portion of scripture, however, for the purpose of examining your instrumentality, our focus will be on the question Philip asked the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Bible says in verse 30b “Do you understand what you are reading?” A very instrumental question from an instrument of change. “Do you understand what you are reading?”

This question served as a key that unlocked the doors to understanding scriptures and water baptism for the Ethiopian Eunuch; two very important aspects in our spiritual journey. For the life of the Ethiopian Eunuch, Philip will always be remembered as someone who helped him achieve significant milestones spiritually.

In order for you to help a person or people to experience spiritual milestones, you need to live a lifestyle of obedience to the Spirit of God. It was the Spirit of God in Philip and Philip’s obedience that led him to become an instrument of change in the Ethiopian Eunuch’s life.

Philip’s question and subsequent action towards the Ethiopian eunuch was indicative of many things;

1)     Philip’s question was timely and necessary. One challenge we face in life that causes us to be ineffective is that we sometimes ask the wrong questions and we sometimes answer questions people are not asking.

2)     Philip was interested in the spiritual growth and development of the Ethiopian Eunuch.

He patiently explained scriptures to the Eunuch.

3)     Philip did not undermine what he knew about scriptures and he was conscious of being a blessing to others by sowing spiritual seeds into their lives.

So, my question to you today is this – what is stopping you from becoming the instrument of change? Could it be that you do not know the right question (s) to ask? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Could it be that you are not very interested in the spiritual growth and development of others, besides yours? If that is the case, examine your love walk and receive help from the Spirit of God. Could it be that you undermine what you know and think no one will benefit from it? Whatever your questions are, I will like for you to remember this “a Spirit-Led question could be the instrument that you will use to gain access into the life of a person.” Learn from Philip and become an instrument of change in your generation.