Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Jesus is alive, and he is building his church (Matt. 16:18). Changes in the culture do not concern him, Satan cannot stop him, and the church’s apathy will not slow him down. As a general who leads his troops, Jesus is calling, leading, and mobilizing us through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to participate in his work. This is exactly what we observe in this week’s passage.
In Acts 8:1–5, we followed Philip as he left Jerusalem and travelled throughout Judea and Samaria where he proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. God blessed his efforts by performing signs and wonders through him, drawing a crowd and saving many of them. The church continued to grow beyond these regions through the urging of the Spirit of God and Philip’s faithful obedience. From leading Philip to Gaza (Acts 8:26) to physically teleporting him to another town like a Star Trek teleporter, the Holy Spirit took initiative in leading Philip.
When placing our faith in Christ, God does not hand us a copy of the Bible and tell us to figure things out. This isn’t the case at all. After calling us and giving us new life, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives. He indwells and fills us with his presence (John 14:17; Eph. 5:18). He guides us (Ps. 23:2), sanctifies us (1 Cor. 6:11), and empowers us to be a witness for Jesus (Acts 1:8).
God the Holy Spirit is at work in the world, our lives, and the church. He is mediating the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives and in the church through his marvelous gospel.
Questions
- The Holy Spirit takes a personal and active role leading Philip (Acts 8:26, 29, 39) as well as our individual lives (Rom. 8:4; Gal. 5:16). Are you aware of the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your life? How do you sense his guidance day to day?
- As the Holy Spirit led Philip to witness to the Ethiopian eunuch, he will lead us, too, to share Jesus with others. Who in your life do you believe the Holy Spirit is leading you to share Jesus with? How are you trusting God to empower you to share Jesus (Acts 1:8)?
- God pursued the unnamed Ethiopian through Philip. How has God pursued you? Did he work through certain people or events in order to lead you to him?
This devotion is adapted from the Acts Study Guide: Chapter 6–11. Pick up a copy today for only $9.99. The Study Guide includes an 11-week curriculum with small group studies, group inductive studies, as well as 55 daily devotions for your personal or family worship.
