Lessons from the Ethiopian Eunuch

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Transcript Lessons from the Ethiopian Eunuch

Lessons
from the
Ethiopian
Eunuch
Acts 8:25-39
Acts 8:25-39
The Eunuch had a desire to study the Bible.
The Eunuch had a desire to
study the Bible
This man was not yet a Christian,
baptized in the blood of Christ.
Philip was in Jerusalem, through divine
intervention, arose and went south,
away from Jerusalem.
CONTRAST THIS:
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The Eunuch got up knowing where he was
going!
Philip arose and traveled on a desert road!
Philip left a highly populated area to a
deserted road in the middle of the desert!
What chance did he think of finding work
there
How Far Did the Eunuch
Travel to Worship?
N.B. Hardeman:
1,000 miles
Hoffman
Commentary:
1,500 miles
DeHauf’s
Commentary:
1,500 miles
Outline Studies in
Acts by Thomas:
1,200 miles
The Eunuch had a desire to
study the Bible
 He
was still studying after worship service.
He wasn’t in a hurry!
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He had a strong desire to study the Bible.
Are we zealous for bible knowledge or just in
a hurry.
 Often
God opens doors to His people that
we cannot find on our own.
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In His divine plan we are the exact instrument
to bring lost sheep into the fold!
Acts 8:25-39
The Eunuch had a desire to study the Bible.
Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!
Preaching Jesus IS Preaching
Baptism!
 Philip
preached Jesus (v.35)
• Philips lesson included an illustration from the
Old Testament (Is. 53:7)
• Most preachers (denomination or in the church)
would simply stop here!
• Philip continued on and preached baptism.
 Note
the honest heart in the Ethiopian Eunuch!
• His conclusion to Philip’s preaching was to be
baptized!
• Today, men find a number of conclusions from
this and other passages about baptism.
Preaching Jesus is
preaching Baptism!
What is involved in preaching Christ?
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Acts 8:5 - Philip preached Christ > v.12 –
they believed the good news about the
kingdom of God.
Acts 8:5 - Philip preached Christ – v.12 –
they were baptized.
Acts 8:35 – Philip preached Christ – v. 3639 – the Eunuch was baptized.
Acts 8:25-39
The Eunuch had a desire to study the Bible.
Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!
Bible Baptism is spiritual in nature
Bible Baptism is spiritual in
nature.
It should not produce emotional
reactions.
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Clapping/yelling/cheering, etc
A number of churches (denomination/nondenomination) may display those reactions.
The example in Acts 8:35-39 is clear
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Facts – Philip preached Christ. (v.35)
Faith – Preaching produced a faith-based belief
that Jesus is the Son of God.
Then Feeling – The eunuch went on his way
rejoicing because he was saved. We should
possess that same mindset/attitude. Christians
should be happy!
Acts 8:25-39
The Eunuch had a desire to study the Bible.
Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!
Bible Baptism is spiritual in nature
Eunuch’s baptism was immersion, a burial (8:38)
The Eunuch’s Baptism was
Immersion — a Burial
Thayer defines the word baptism here as: “to
dip, to immerse, to submerge.”
Note the phrasing in verse 38; “they both
went down into the water.”
Another common theme for denominations is
the have scheduled mass/multiple baptisms.
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Their emphasis is emotional in nature like
mentioned in my last point.
In every example of baptism the baptism
happened immediately; there was no wait!
The Eunuch’s Baptism was
Immersion — a Burial
Consider Acts 22:16:
“Why wait any longer” (NCV)
“Why tarriest thou” (KJV)
“What are you waiting for” (NIV)
“Why wait any longer” (Good News Bible)
“And now why delay” (Weymouth NT)
In Acts 8; the Eunuch immediately desired to
be baptized. There was no wait!
Acts 8:25-39
The Eunuch had a desire to study the Bible.
Preaching Jesus is preaching baptism!
Bible Baptism is spiritual in nature; not emotional
Eunuch’s baptism was immersion, a burial (8:38)
Baptism Stands Between:
The
 SALVATION (Mk 16:16)
Sinner
and…  REMISSION OF SINS (Acts 2:38)
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WASHING AWAY OF SINS (Acts 22:16)
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THE DEATH OF CHRIST (Romans 6:3)
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THE PUTTING ON OF CHRIST (Gal. 3:27)
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THE BODY OF CHRIST (1 Cor. 12:13)