CONVERSION OF THE EUNUCH
Acts 8:26-40
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. When one adds word processing software to his computer, such
as WordPerfect or Microsoft Word, he may start with no more
than basic typing.
1. However, in that word processing software are many other
things that will help one with his writing skills.
B. The Bible has levels of enrichment as well.
1. We can benefit from a casual reading of the Scriptures.
2. We can benefit even more from a deeper study of various
passages.
C. We will do this in our study of the conversion of the eunuch.
I. CONSIDER A QUICK VIEW OF THE TEXT - Acts 8:26-40.
A. The eunuch, who had come to Jerusalem for worship, was
traveling back to Ethiopia.
B. Philip was sent by the Spirit to teach this man about the
gospel.
C. The eunuch was reading from Isaiah 53 and asked Philip, "Of
whom does the prophet say this, of himself or some other?"
D. Philip, beginning at that same Scripture, preached Jesus to
him.
E. As they went on their way, they came to some water, and the
eunuch asked to be baptized.
1. Philip baptized the eunuch and the eunuch went on his way
rejoicing.
II. NOW, LET'S MAKE A DEEPER STUDY AND SEE WHAT WE CAN FIND.
A. FIRST, WE ADMIRE THE FAITH OF THE EUNUCH.
1. He had traveled approximately 1,000 miles to worship.
a. A map shows that Ethiopia is south of Egypt. Thus, he
had to travel up around the Red Sea, through the desert
region of Mount Sinai, through the region of Philistia
(Gaza), and north east to Jerusalem. He had made a
long trip which would probably have taken several weeks.
2. Those who deeply sacrifice in their efforts to serve God
need to be commended.
B. ALSO, WE LEARN THAT THE GOSPEL IS GOD'S MEANS OF SAVING
PEOPLE.
1. Neither the angel (vs. 26) nor the Spirit (vs. 29) spoke the
gospel to the eunuch. Philip was selected to do this.
2. In all of the conversions in the book of Acts, the gospel
was the means of reaching people.
a. One is not converted by some irresistible urge of the
Spirit or some experience better felt than told, but by
hearing and believing the gospel. Acts 18:8b
C. WE LEARN THE VALUE OF PROPER QUESTIONS.
1. The eunuch did not understand the application of Isaiah 53
and, thus, he inquired about it.
2. We need to be inquisitive, always seeking and searching to
know God's will. Phil. 1:9-10
3. Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-
distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a
Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he
went to the office that was listed. When he arrived, he
entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter,
including the sound of a telegraph in the background.
4. A sign on the receptionist's counter instructed job
applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were
summoned to enter the inner office. The young man filled out
his form and sat down with several other applicants in the
waiting area.
5. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the
room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in.
Naturally, the other applicants perked up, wondering what
was going on. They hadn't heard a summons yet, and they
assumed the young man had made a mistake and would be
disqualified.
6. Within a few minutes, however, the employer came out and
told the other applicants that the job had been filled. They
began grumbling, and one spoke up saying, "He was the last
to come in, and we never got a chance to be interviewed.
That's not fair!"
7. The employer replied: "I'm sorry, but for the last several
minutes, while you've been sitting here, the telegraph has
been ticking out the following message, 'If you understand
this message, then come right in. The job is yours.' None of
you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job
is his."
8. There is a lot of noise and clatter in our lives. Yet, in
the background, God is talking to us, constantly sending us
messages. Are we listening? (Author Unknown)
D. JESUS CHRIST NEEDS TO BE THE CENTER OF OUR PREACHING.
1. Acts 8:32 - This expresses His voluntary submission in
giving Himself to provide redemption.
2. Acts 8:33
a. He went through great humiliation when He died. Heb.
12:2-3
b. His trial was one of the most unjust, cruel, wicked
trials that ever was.
c. He gave His life as a ransom for many. Isaiah 53:7-12
E. PREACHING JESUS INVOLVES PREACHING BAPTISM.
1. No doubt, Philip preached about the trial, death, burial,
and resurrection of Jesus, because he began at the same
passage the eunuch was reading.
2. After preaching Jesus, the eunuch wanted to be baptized;
thus, baptism is included in preaching Jesus.
a. Both the beginning and the end of the ministry of Jesus
mentions baptism. Matt. 3:13-17; Matt. 28:18-20
3. Some say, "Preach the man and not the plan."
a. One cannot preach Jesus without preaching the plan.
b. One cannot preach Jesus without preaching what Jesus
taught.
F. WE LEARN WHAT IS INVOLVED IN PROPER BAPTISM.
1. In this passage we see that baptism is a burial. Vs. 38-39
a. Also, the word "baptism" in the Greek means "a burial."
2. A denominational preacher who opposed baptism as a burial
once said, "In this story, the eunuch reached under the seat
of his chariot, pulled out a jug of water and said, 'See,
here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"
a. He needed to read the text a little more closely. It
says, "they came to some water." Vs. 36
b. Also, it would take a mighty big jug because it says,
"both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water."
Vs. 38
G. IN THIS PASSAGE WE SEE THE MAIN HINDRANCE TO BAPTISM.
1. The eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from
being baptized?"
a. Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you
may."
b. Thus, the main hindrance to baptism is unbelief.
2. There are many other hindrances to baptism.
a. Some claim that they are not good enough to be
baptized. Others claim they are too evil to be baptized.
b. Some claim they are too young, while others claim they
are too old.
c. An unwillingness to change one's life (true repentance)
hinders many.
d. In answer to all of these, we say with Philip, "If you
believe with all your heart, you may be baptized."
(1) Sincere belief in the heart is what is necessary.
H. NOTICE THAT THE REJOICING COME AFTER THE BAPTISM, NOT BEFORE.
1. One is not saved before baptism, but is saved at the point
of baptism.
a. A young man once said, "The Bible says that baptism is
just a figure." When asked where the Bible says that
baptism is just a figure, he said, "I don't know, but I
know it is in the Bible somewhere."
b. When asked if 1 Pet. 3:20-21 might be the passage he
was thinking about, he said, "Yes."
c. In 1 Pet. 3:20-21, Peter says that baptism is a "like
figure" of Noah's salvation.
(1) Just as Noah and his family were saved through (by
means of) water, we are likewise saved through
baptism.
(2) Also, we see in 1 Pet. 3:21 that baptism is not
merely an outward cleansing such as taking a bath,
but is an act wherein one seeks to obtain a clear
conscience before God.
(3) The New American Standard Version says, "...An
appeal to God for a good conscience."
d. Thus, in the act of baptism, one makes an appeal to God
for a good conscience.
I. SUPPOSE THE EUNUCH BEGAN TO MAKE EXCUSES REGARDING BEING
BAPTIZED.
1. "I'll be back in Jerusalem next year, and I will consider it
again then."
a. "I don't know what my relatives might say."
b. "Come down to Ethiopia, convert my family, and then
I'll consider being baptized."
c. "If I'm baptized, I might lose my job."
d. Many other excuses could be given.
2. We raise some questions here: "How many sermons did the
eunuch hear before he obeyed?" "How many other sermons
did Philip preach to him?" See Vs. 39
a. What does this say of those who hear sermon after
sermon but never respond?
Concl.
A. A man who was mute had attended services for a long time. After
one of the sermons, as the invitation was being sung, he came
forward and set on the front pew with an open Bible in his
hand.
1. The preacher, knowing that the man was unable to state his
desire, was very perplexed as to what to do.
2. After the song was finished, the dumb man approached the
preacher and pointed to the verse which says, "See, here is
water. What hinders me from being baptized?"
3. The preacher simply pointed to the next verse, "If you
believe with all your heart, you may."
4. The man quickly pointed to the next verse, "I believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
5. The preacher then repeated the things in the verses to the
congregation, and they took the man and baptized him into
Christ.
B. Have you been baptized into Christ as was the eunuch?