Accounts of Conversion – The Ethiopian Eunuch

1. Consider this man that God wanted to hear the gospel.

1) An Ethiopian – a black man – race.

2) A Eunuch – considered outcast by the Jews (Deuteronomy 23:1) – blemish.

3) A man of authority – person in the position of power.

4) How many of us today would have prejudged this man?

5) God, who knew the heart, saw him in need of the gospel.

2. We cannot afford to be prejudiced when it comes to teaching the gospel.

1) Rich, poor, black, white, brown, good looking, ugly, etc.

2) We all make judgments based upon these things.

3) Acts 10:34-35 “And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.”

4) James 2:1 “My brethren, hold not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”

1. Consider what this man was doing.

1) He was sitting in his chariot.

2) He was reading the Bible.

3) Do we have friends and neighbors that read the Bible?

4) Do we ever talk to them about what they read?

5) To read the Bible is to be blessed (Psalm 1:1-2).

2. The Spirit told Philip to join this man.

1) He heard him reading Isaiah.

2) He asked him a very simple question.

3) Do you understand what you are reading?

4) How often do we join our friends/family who are reading the Bible?

5) Are we too busy or occupied with other matters to do this?

6) Matthew 6:33

3. Philip asked this man a question.

1) The question: Do you understand what you are reading?

2) What a simple question.

3) All of us can ask this question.

4) How many times do we ask our friends / family if they understand the Bible?

5) It is such a simple thing to do, but do we do it?

6) Malachi 3:16 “Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.”

4. The Eunuch responded.

1) How can I understand unless someone explains it to me.

2) Do we understand the Bible enough to tell others what it is about?

3) Philip did. We can too.

4) Ephesians 3:3-5 – we can understand Paul’s understanding.

5. God wants YOU to preach the gospel.

1. The eunuch was reading from Isaiah 53:7-8.

1) This is messianic prophecy.

2) The Jewish people expected a conquering messiah, but not a suffering one.

3) The fulfillment of this prophecy was a mystery to them.

2. Philip preached Jesus.

1) We don’t know the entire conversation.

2) We can be sure it started in Isaiah.

3) Philip likely spoke concerning Jesus’ death.

4) That would have progressed to the significance of Jesus’ death.

5) The problem of man’s sin.

6) The need for man to have a Savior.

7) The need for the Savior to shed His blood.

8) The resurrection.

9) The great commission.

3. We know God’s teaching regarding Jesus.

1) Jesus was His Son (Matthew 3:17).

2) Jesus brings salvation to sinners (John 3:17 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”).

3) Jesus died and shed his blood on the cross (John 19:34).

4) With this blood he purchased salvation (Ephesians 1:7).

5) Jesus has all authority (Matthew 28:18).

6) That authority is in His covenant today (Hebrews 12:24).

7) We must hear Jesus today (Hebrews 1:1-2).

8) He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6).

1. The eunuch had a question

1) Why can’t I be baptized?

2) Where did he hear about baptism?

3) Was it because he heard that Jesus was baptized?

4) Was it because he heard the preaching of the great commission?

5) Philip told him about baptism some way.

2. Baptism is part of the message of the gospel.

1) Mark 16:16

2) Acts 2:38

3) Acts 8:11

4) Acts 22:16

5) Romans 6:1-11

6) Galatians 3:27

7) Colossians 2:11-13

8) 1 Peter 3:21

3. The eunuch was baptized.

1) They found water on the way.

2) They went down into the water, both of them.

3) The eunuch was baptized.

4) They both came up out of the water together.

1. The Ethiopian eunuch was now a Christian.

1) He heard the message.

2) Believed.

3) And obeyed.

2. What blessings he now knew.

1) Forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14).

2) The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9).

3) Reconciliation with God (Romans 5:10).

4) Redemption from slavery to sin (Hebrews 9:12).

5) Peace with God (Romans 5:1).

6) The blessing of Christian fellowship (Acts 2:42).

7) Can worship God directly as a priest of God (Revelation 20:6).

8) The hope of eternal life in heaven (1 Peter 1:3).

3. How could he NOT rejoice?