Acts 8:26-40
GETTING STARTED:
● Chapter continues to follow the ministry of Philip – an evangelist – a person with a
calling to bring the Good News to people who had not yet heard. Philip was very
strong in this calling and gifting from God.
● He will be led by God – through an angel and by the Holy Spirit – to bring the
Good News to an influential person from Ethiopia. He was the treasurer under a
powerful Kandake or Candace queen in Ethiopia.
● This treasurer is reading out loud a messianic prophecy from Isaiah.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO LEAN INTO THE HOLY SPIRIT’S LEADING. Verses 29&30.
● When the Spirit spoke to Philip to go over alongside the carriage – Philip ran over.
There was no hesitancy – just immediate obedient response. One of my favorite
verses in Scripture is Galatians 5:25 from the NIV – Since we live by the Spirit, let
us keep in step with the Spirit.
● Philip continues to follow the leading of the Spirit by stepping into the obvious
open door.
LESSON: As the Spirit strategically positions us – let’s be willing to step into the obvious
open doors. Like – praying for someone who has just shared their need with you.
LOOK FOR THE OPENING TO TALK ABOUT JESUS. Verses 31-35
● The question was an obvious opening to talk about Jesus – who is the prophet
talking about? Philip answered his question – and then went on to tell the rest of
the story about Jesus.
● A big part of being led by the Spirit is a spiritual awareness to step into these
moments as they are happening. It is disappointing to realize it was there after
the moment has passed. This is why we need to start our day in prayer – so we
can be surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
THE SUPERNATURAL CONFIRMATION. Verses 36-40.
● The clear indication that this person has come to faith in Christ is his desire to be
baptized. He is so enthusiastic about his new faith that when he sees water he
says – Why not now?
● Philip continues to stay in step. He baptizes this new convert and when they
come out of the water Philip is immediately caught up to another location. This is
the word from 1 Thessalonians 4:17 that we use for rapture. Philip takes the first
rapture test run. It is the Greek word harpoza – caught up – snatched away.
● Signs and wonders always support the Good News – they bear witness to the
Lordship of Jesus. This miracle powerfully confirmed the Ethiopian’s faith.
● At the end of this chapter – Philip continues to preach the Good News through the
open doors where the Spirit leads.