Welcome to Week 2 of Awaken and to Acts chapter 8. This week we will be reading about Philip the Evangelist and the Ethiopian eunuch. Despite its many supernatural elements there is a lot about sharing the gospel that we can learn from it.
(By the way, Philip the Evangelist is not Philip the Apostle. They are often confused, but are two different people.)
Let’s get started!
Prayer guides authored by Tracy Lautenschlager.
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
Go Where?
Observe
Philip receives an angelic visitor who sends him on a journey down from Jerusalem to Gaza.
Acts 8:26-28
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
26 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.
Acts 27:21-26
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”
Acts 5:19-25
19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” 21 And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25 And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.”
Philip is leading a very successful ministry among the Samaritans. Many miracles and healings were accompanying his witness, and it says that “multitudes” believed. Then God comes to him and tells him to head south, into the desert, and does NOT tell him why. Philip recognizes that it is God directing him and he goes. It’s very important that we are able to discern when it is God telling us to do something, because it won’t always make sense from the circumstances.
Ethiopia in those days was much larger than that region is today. It’s the area where the Queen of Sheba would have come from. The fact that a very important official in the court of the present queen had come to worship at Jerusalem seems to indicate that some of what the Queen of Sheba saw at Solomon’s court had stuck with her and traveled home to her people. The message of the gospel can find its audience even in places we don’t expect.
- How does God communicate with you? What form does it take and how do you discern that it’s him?
- How do you handle it when something you believe God is telling you to do doesn’t make sense, at least to you?
Heavenly Father, It is so challenging to discern and follow your voice in this age of science and certainty, when following the voice of one unseen is ridiculed or feared. Help me to step away from that and quiet my mind on you. Help me to focus on your character and your eternal word, the source of your constant guidance. Send me clear guidance, Lord, and then give me the courage to follow your direction. Amen.
Day 2
An Invitation to Explain
Observe
Philip approaches the chariot, hears him reading, and asks a question that results in being invited to join the journey.
Acts 8:29-31
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.
John 16:13-14
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Romans 10:13-15
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
The Ethiopian official invites Philip to come up and sit with him, so Philip could explain what was being read from Isaiah. To approach the chariot at all took some real courage and boldness on Philip’s part. This was no lone man riding on an ox cart. He was a VIP and would be traveling with an entourage, including plenty of personal protection. Clearly God provided access for Philip, much like God had directed Philip into the area, so we should also be looking for God to prepare the way. Philip didn’t come in the door preaching, he asked a question. The sign of fertile soil where God has prepared the heart to receive the gospel is when that question is received well and an invitation to talk more is extended. We must not let fear restrain our boldness but we must also temper our boldness to match the Spirit’s direction and preparation for us.
- How can someone be bold and gentle at the same time?
- It’s not uncommon to experience “the freeze,” where you know you should speak up but you don’t. Why do you think that happens? What are you afraid of or worried about?
Dear Lord, I confess that I’ve remained silent when I knew you were providing an opportunity to speak of you. And at times I’ve spoken, but done so with judgment or unkindness. Now I ask that you would tune my eyes and ears to you. Let me hear your direction and see the needs of the people who cross my path. Show me where you are at work in the lives around me, because I desire to join you in that work. Help me to ask, and to listen and, then, to introduce them to you. Amen.
Day 3
Know the Word
Observe
Philip connects the words of the prophet Isaiah with the good news about Jesus.
Acts 8:32-35
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.
1 Peter 3:13-17
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
It says that Philip BEGAN with the scripture from Isaiah and then preached Jesus to the Ethiopian official. There can be little doubt that Philip introduced other scriptures as well. When the moment happens, after we follow God’s direction and find the path he has prepared for us to walk, we should be ready to share about Jesus from the scriptures. John 3:16 is a wonderful verse, but most of the time you’re going to need a little more for people to get the big picture.
- If the opportunity arises, could you share the plan of salvation from the scriptures?
- What scriptures were instrumental in your decision to put your full faith and trust in Jesus as your Savior?
Dear Jesus, I’ve listened to many sermons, and I’ve sat through Bible studies, but I retain so little from these wonderful opportunities. I see now that knowledge of your word must be higher among my priorities. I need to be prepared to give an answer. Thank you Lord for our pastors and teachers and for the abundance of knowledge they provide. Help me to take it in, to talk about it, to listen to it, to study it and remember, for such a time as this. Amen.
Day 4
Ask the Question
Observe
Philip doesn’t stop with simply explaining the gospel, but he invites the Ethiopian eunuch to take the next step on the path to becoming a disciple (in this case, water baptism).
Acts 8:36-38
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.
Acts 10:44-48
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(You will notice that the ESV translation skips verse 37, moving right from verse 36 to 38. This is an example of a manuscript difference between the ESV and some other English translations. In the King James or New King James versions, which use the Textus Receptus instead of the Critical Text, verse 37 has Philip answering the Ethiopian official’s question about whether he could be baptized, saying “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The Ethiopian official responded “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Is that verse actually part of the New Testament? That’s a very long discussion about Bible translations and why they’re different, so the best answer here is “maybe.” There is certainly nothing wrong about the verse, so whether the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to write it or whether some scribe copying the text added in what he imagined was said, it doesn’t change the story.)
Philip didn’t just stop with preaching Jesus, he led the Ethiopian official through the process of water baptism, a public declaration of his faith. It is important to remember that the Great Commission is to go and make DISCIPLES, not simply converts. We must always be ready to invite them to the next step.
- What are the four steps in our Growth Track at Rio?
- Which of them do you find easiest to invite people to join? Why?
Father Lord, As if sharing the gospel and inviting people to church wasn’t hard enough, it’s become even more awkward in a pandemic. But there has probably been a “perfect” excuse for every age and time and every society, so I’m laying that excuse down right now. Lord, help me to genuinely, humbly invite people to meet you, to know you through study and fellowship, and to proclaim you as Lord. Amen.
Day 5
Believe in Teleporters Miracles!
Observe
God supernaturally whisks Philip away, which is a miracle in its own right, but every bit as miraculous is the legacy of this encounter.
Acts 8:39-40
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.
Philemon 4-7
Philemon’s Love and Faith
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
The Ministry of Apostles
4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
Colossians 4:2-6
Further Instructions
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
In a remarkable conclusion, the Holy Spirit appears to supernaturally transport Philip to his next destination. It isn’t very likely he will do that to us today. For one thing, we have cars and planes, and we get from one place to another rather well on our own. But what we can glean from this is that the more attuned to the Spirit we are and the more faithfully we carry out his instructions, the more we can expect him to move in power through us and around us. Will we get teleported somewhere? No, probably not. Yet don’t be surprised when you see God use your faithfulness in ever-increasing ways.
So what’s the legacy of this encounter? Tradition tells us that this Ethiopian official took this message and his sincere faith back to his homeland and today’s Coptic Christians, greatly persecuted for their faith in Egypt today, trace their beginnings back to him. In the power of the Spirit, if we just rise up and go, miracles can happen!
- When has God opened doors for you to be a witness for him? What happened?
- What is the most crucial characteristic of an evangelist?
Dear Lord, I admit that the end of this passage leaves me thinking, “sure, Phillip gets whisked away so he doesn’t have to face this guy at the office the next day.” He got to skip the awkwardness, the pressure to keep being nice, day after day, and he got to avoid messing up the message. But you know what each day will bring for me. You know who will see my actions and hear my words, and still, you say that I should go and make disciples. So here I am, a broken vessel, but use me Lord. Amen.