Acts 8:26-39 And the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza… It was a meeting — I. OF REMARKABLE MEN. Each stood out amongst his contemporaries — the one distinguished by his political position, the other by his advocacy of a new faith. In appearance and worldly position they greatly differed, for Philip was poor and without status, whereas the eunuch was affluent and high in his. country's esteem. Philip was a footsore traveller, the eunuch wended his way home provided with all that the civilisation of the age could supply to make the journey pleasant. II. BROUGHT ABOUT BY EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES. 1. The direction of Philip to Gaza by an angel of the Lord. 2. The occupation of the eunuch — reading Isaiah; if to relieve the tedium of the journey, how much better than our practice of devouring the trash sold at railway bookstalls! Or was it for the purpose of intellectual culture? Or to see if the character claims of the recently crucified Jesus corresponded with those of prophecy? It matters not. It was Bible reading that brought him in contact with Philip. 3. The Spirit's impulse that prompted Philip to join the chariot. There was something more than. human in this boldness. III. TURNED TO RARE SPIRITUAL ACCOUNT. Coming together, what did they do? Converse on politics? No, on the Scripture. 1. The eunuch was enlighted by Philip — for which work two things are necessary. (1) On the part of the one a disposition to receive knowledge (ver. 31). (2) On the part of the other, a power to impart it. This Philip had. 2. The eunuch was baptized by Philip. IV. TERMINATING BLESSEDLY. 1. For Philip. He was transferred to another sphere of usefulness. 2. For the eunuch. He went on his way rejoicing. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. |
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