Acts 02:26-35 – The Ethiopian Eunuch – audio

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Text: Acts 2:26-35

Introduction

An Ethiopian eunuch was returning from Jerusalem, where he had gone to worship. On his way he had begun to read from Isaiah.

Whether he was reviewing what he heard in Jerusalem, picked up a scroll there, or for some other reason, we do not know. What we do know is that he had an opportunity to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18)” and he did.

Body

I. The eunuch was increasing his faith (Acts 8:27-28).

As he was traveling, he was reading from Isaiah. Interestingly, the prophet Isaiah says to “search from the book of the LORD, and read (Isaiah 34:16)…” He was indeed searching something, and by the providence of God would later find it.

One thing he would find by searching the Scriptures is faith. After all, faith comes from hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Without it, one cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Our faith must grow, and one thing we add to our faith is knowledge (2 Peter 1:5-7). The eunuch obviously wanted to know more about what he was reading (as we’ll see shortly). As those were in Berea, so was the eunuch. He “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so (Acts 17:11).”

II. The eunuch sought to understand the Scriptures (Acts 8:30-34).

It is not enough o only hear the Word of God; one must do it (James 1:22). In order to do what God commands, we must understand what He says!

Jesus commands us to understand (Matthew 15:10), as Matthew encourages his readers to understand his gospel (Matthew 24:15). On one occasion, Jesus opened the understanding of some to help them comprehend the Scriptures (Luke 24:45). This would be done to the eunuch through Philip.

It is God’s plan that everyone will understand His will (Romans 15:20-21)! Our understanding is only beneficial when we receive it with love (1 Corinthians 13:1-2), as the eunuch did.

A. Not understanding God’s Word will have its consequences. When Jesus taught the parable of the sower, He explained that those that do not understand the word had it snatched away by the wicked one (Matthew 13:19).

B. Understanding God’s Word will have its benefits.

1) Understanding God’s Word will bear much fruit (Matthew 13:23).

2) We may know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18).

3) This gives us wisdom (Ephesians 5:17).

4) We can walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him (Colossians 1:9-10).

5) Our hearts are encouraged and we have full assurance of God’s promises (Colossians 2:2).

6) It is a blessing to understand all things, and others are praying for us as Paul did for Timothy(2 Timothy 2:7).

7) We can come to know God and Jesus, and be in Him. This gives us eternal life (1 John 5:20; Ephesians 1:3).

III. Philip preached Christ to Him (Acts 8:35).

Jesus commanded us to preach the gospel to everyone (Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 16:15-16), as Philip was doing.

Even Paul said he determined not to know anything but “Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).”

IV. The eunuch understood what Isaiah meant (Acts 8:36-39).

Isaiah prophesied about Jesus and His crucifixion (Isaiah 53:7-8). He was silent as He appeared before His accusers (Matthew 26:61-63; 27:12-14; John 19:9). He endured the suffering because of our transgressions. The eunuch realized Christ died for him, and readily obeyed the gospel.

Conclusion

Just as the eunuch understood he needed to become a Christian, so do we! Like the eunuch, we need to:

A. Hear the gospel (Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6) to get faith.

B. Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Acts 16:30-34; Mark 16:16; Romans 10:9-10; John 8:24).

C. Repent of your sins (Luke 13:3-5; Acts 2:38).

D. Confess your faith in Christ (Romans 10:9-10).

E. Be baptized for remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21).