Commentary by Ron Beckham

Verse 1.  "Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.  And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles."

Many of us are fans of Paul the apostle (a.k.a. Saul), but we all should recognize that if we met him at the time of this verse, it would not be a pleasant experience.  He was going around, killing and imprisoning people; ordinary folk, just like you and me.   This actually is very encouraging, because God chose a notorious sinner (Paul), who was to lead many to Christ.  If he can be forgiven (in 2 Timothy 1:3, Paul said, "I serve you with a pure conscience"), we can, too.  If he can be taken from shame to usefulness, in the sight of God, so can we.

Here’s another instance of the suffering of God’s people (also see Acts 11:19), and when we studied 2 Corinthians chapter 1, we saw there is a good outcome for any suffering we might experience (God makes it so).  These people of 2000 years ago, by the way, wanted stability, healing, safety for themselves and their children, warmth, and food, just like we do.  As a preview of the "good" involved here, you might look at Acts 8:4, where we will see they were "scattered" away from their homes and lives, for a purpose - that the Word of God might go forth.

If you are feeling (about something), "How could this happen to me?", you might recall these verses, these people of 2000 years ago:  There is a reason for what you are experiencing, right now.

Verse 2.  "Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him."

I have loved this verse for many years, and have quoted it to those who teach that Christians should not grieve, but instead MUST rejoice, during a time of loss.  These people lamented their loss of Stephen LOUDLY.  It is true they only lost Stephen temporarily, and they could have rejoiced, but they LOVED him, and MISSED him.   Notice that God did not condemn them for what they did.  Certainly, the Lord had prophets all over the place, in the early church, and He could have used them to speak against this practice, if He wanted to.  He did not use them.

The real truth is, that it’s all right to care deeply for someone we love, and express that loss, when they are gone from us.  We know they are in a better place, but we miss them.  And if we do not seem to grieve the loss of them, it is often really just a mask we wear, and the tears are only delayed, for a probably less appropriate time.  Rejoice if you can, within trouble (and I am pleased you can do that), but let the sufferer, who has just suffered loss, grieve in peace.  Follow God, love others, be who you are, and let others do the same.

Verse 3.  "But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison."

Jesus had carefully warned them, "They will put you out of the synagogues; yes the time is coming that whoever kills you will thing that he offers God service, and these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father, nor Me" (John 16:2-3).  He went on, in the same chapter, to tell them of the Holy Spirit of God - they would not be alone in their trouble.

You are not alone in your trouble.  A lot of people don’t recognize that the apostles were married men.  They had children.  Jobs.  And they had given all for Jesus, Who promised them TROUBLE in this world.  Yet they were not alone and neither are you.  There is something much more for you than success in life (which only lasts for awhile), - you will have success with God (which lasts forever).

Are you a success? Is your life in ruins?  Either way, give it all over to Him. Whatever trouble you may have, lasts only for a moment, in relation to eternity. And you are not alone.

Verse 4.  "Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word."

In verse 1, we saw, as in this verse, that the Christians were forcibly scattered.   They lost their homes, and some of them lost their lives.  But they were scattered for a purpose, that something much higher than personal security would be accomplished through them.  We tend to think the greatest in life is a good job, a happy marriage, successful children, health, and these are indeed good, but life has - more.

Joseph Excell, of 100-years ago, who finds these verses carry a strong suggestion of the Hebrew mind (written by Dr. Luke, from the Greek culture, but influenced by the Jewish Paul), says this:  "They were all scattered; just as the wind blows the seed to a distance, to fructify in different places."  The problem in your life, which seems to scatter your hopes and dreams, is intended to do something more wonderful than you ever could expect.  You may or may not understand in this life, but God has a good purpose for you.

Verse 5.  "Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them."

God’s choices for life and eternity are interesting.  Here is Philip, alive and preaching, whereas Stephen (both were deacons - Acts 6:5) was taken home to be with the Lord.  These were two good men, and to wonder why the one and not the other, is an excellent consideration - for you will often wonder about people in YOUR life.   Why is this person alive and that person not?  We often don’t know, and that is a place where FAITH comes in.  We TRUST God is doing a perfect work in all of our lives.

One person has cancer, and another does not, and you might LIKE the sick one more than the healthy person.  Why, God?  (Trust in Him).  Stephen had a great ministry, though brief, but which continues to speak to us, 2000 years later.  Philip preached Christ, as in this verse, and HE did well, also.  God is creating a beautiful mosaic out of all of us, and when we are with Him, we shall praise God - for we will SEE a work of great beauty; perfectly done, in relation to every one of us.   Trust in Him.

Verse 6.  "The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing."

The phrase "with one accord" is used a lot, in the Book of Acts.  An example is 1:13, when they were in the upper room.  The question "How were they of one accord(?)" can be asked.  We know at least one of these people (Simon, verse 9 & forward), was still in the "gall of bitterness" (8:23) after he "believed" (verse 13).  How indeed were they of "one" accord?  (For Simon’s heart was not changed).

There is an answer in the MOTIVES of some of them (such as Simon).  These people wanted miracles, just like many people today.  We all want hearts to be changed, the sick to be healed.  They believed the words of Philip and they saw "his" miracles.  The danger is when people join the church, not because they are changed inside, but because they are merely drawn by the miracle of changed lives.

We’ll take a good look at Simon Magus (the magician), in this chapter - Sometimes people can believe the words but as stated, do not truly believe in Christ.

Verse 7.  "For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed."

In 1 Corinthians 12:10, and other places, the gift of "miracles" is mentioned, but not described.  Here, we see the gift in action (in 8:6, the word "miracles" or "signs" (depending on the translation) is a direct lead-in to the miracles of this verse.  In this gift, the Holy Spirit literally entered the camp of the enemy and made spoil of him, in two areas:

Unclean spirits were being flung out of those who had been captured by the enemy.  We also saw Jesus perform a dramatic rescue of the man of the Gadarenes, as reported in such places as Luke 8:26-40.  The paralyzed and lame were being healed, and when I meet paralyzed veterans at the Spinal building of the VA hospital, in Long Beach, I think of this verse (you might pray for those at the VA).  If not in this life, certainly in the next, God will RESCUE and heal, all those who trust in Him.

Verse 8.  "So there was much rejoicing in that city."

Jesus said "you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5).  The first fruits of that baptism, was in Acts 2:4, where those in the upper room "were all filled with the Holy Spirit."  Peter soon gave a public sermon (a testimony), in which he promised "you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38), and in verse 39, we see that the promise extends to all people, everywhere, of all time, who simply receive our Lord.

Paul said "the fruit of the Spirit" (includes)…joy:  You are to have JOY in the Lord.

Some limit Luke 6:38 ("Give and it will be given to you") to finances, but life is much more than money.  Just give yourself COMPLETELY to the Lord, and He will give you JOY, "good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over…will be measured back to you."

One last item.  The joy in that city (Samaria) was conditional.  They were joyous because many were restored.  Let YOUR joy be IN THE LORD, regardless of your circumstances.  Then your joy will LAST, even in the midst of the difficulties of life.

Verse 9.  "Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great;"

The name "Simon" is of Jewish origin, but he was more probably a Samaritan, a people of partly Jewish origin.  Whether this man utilized actual demonic forces, or simply was a sleight-of-hand magician, is not clear.  The fact is, he made great claims, and the people responded to him.  Those of our time are not much different, for we see every day that most people will respond to any "star" who tends to do the bizarre or unusual.

The good news is that such a people may be ripe for revival.  Excell viewed it this way:  "All over the known world (the people of that time were) agitated by a vague unrest and a feverish anticipation of some impending change.  Everywhere they turned in their uncertainty to foreign superstition, and welcomed any religion which professed to reveal the unknown."  Does it sound like America, today? - It sure does!  Pray for revival in our land!

Verse 10.  "and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, ‘This man is what is called the Great Power of God.’"

It is amazing to me that people will reject the one and true God, but then give god-like status to a mere human being.  It is actually GOOD that our Lord, Jesus Christ, has received such scrutiny by the critics, over the centuries - for He has stood the test.  Hebrews, Chapter 1, reveals the Son, as God (1;8-9)), and also (verse 10) as the Creator.  The context continues through Hebrews 3:4, where it is declared that "He (the Creator) who built all things is God."

Yet the same world that has rejected Christ, tends to follow characters like this Simon Magus.  Something very much like worship is directed to persons such as athletes, movie "stars" and rock singers.  Members of the preceding three categories, cater to you, because YOU give them money (you buy tickets to see them).  From a heavenly perspective, you are penniless and cannot buy a ticket to heaven, and yet Christ (the Creator, DIED FOR YOU, that you might live.

Verse 11.  "And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts."

Continued success in the ways of this world, does not indicate the successful one is acceptable to God.  Simon had been at his "sorceries" (or "magical arts") for a long time.  And because he was successful as a showman, the people listened to him.  Not only are the attainments of this world false (like the false front of a store), but we are reminded that the world tends to listen to the wrong people.

Verse 12.  "But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike."

Suddenly, the REAL Power of God was in their midst.  This was the Holy Spirit of God, expressing Himself through Philip the deacon (an ordinary man, a server of tables - see Acts 6:1-8).  A revival broke out and a lot of people turned to the Lord.   But as we shall see in the next verses, not all of them who believed Philip and were baptized, were really converted.

Billy Graham, who is an evangelist comparable to Philip, refers to those who come forward at his crusades, as "seekers."  That is, they want something, and come forward, but not all of those who seek, actually receive our Lord.  To be unsatisfied with our present life circumstances is not enough.  We must repent of our sins, truly receive Him as Lord, and be willing to experience a life changed BY Him.  Those of us who receive Him, are no longer our own, but we are His, who died for the sins of the world.

Verse 13.  "Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed."

We should all take note of this verse (and the ones following), for we read with great interest, that Simon believed and was baptized, and yet was an unconverted man.  How does Simon (and others like him) fit into Romans 10:9, where Paul says, "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

The answer is that some really BELIEVE, whereas others only seem to receive our Lord, for whatever reason.  Our churches contain both classes of people.  As we look at Simon, we see a man who became a friend of Philip, and followed him around, because he was amazed by the miracles he saw.  We of the church need to ask ourselves, "Why are we here?"  The answer should be that we truly love the Lord and love those people.  Paul cautions you and me to "examine yourselves, as to whether you are in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5).   Don’t be afraid - prayerfully take a look and who and what you are.   It’s better to find a problem now and repent, than to wait until you are with Him, and it’s too late.  Go to the Lord, examine yourself with Him and in Him, and then TRUST anew in Him.

Verse 14.  "Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,"

The apostles were still in Jerusalem, in spite of the persecution.  They were in the midst of a "storm" of life, but knew they were safe, for God was protecting them - just as He is protecting you, right now.  Finally, after the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4 & context), they were able to understand what we now know as Mark 4:39, where Jesus rebuked the storm, and said "Peace, be still."   Jesus can calm any storm in their lives and in yours.  If He has not done so in your circumstances, there is a good reason.

The apostles remained there, in Jerusalem, and no longer asked questions like in Mark 4:38:  "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"   Of course He cares, as they now understood.  They had been turned to a walk of faith, where their lives were given to the purposes of God, and the needs of other people.   In that Spirit, two of them were dispatched to Samaria.  Notice, by the way, they sent their very best (Peter and John - God has His best in store for you).

Verse 15.  "who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit."

This verse draws lines between the acts of believing (verse 12), being baptized in water (verse 12), and receiving the Holy Spirit in the sense of service to others (this verse).  Billy Graham, in his book, "The Holy Spirit," addresses this, in presenting his conviction that the experience of salvation (being born into new life in God), is separate from baptism in the Holy Spirit (a preparation for service).  Dr. Graham presents the interesting observation that the whole of this life in Christ, is a series of infillings by the Spirit of God.  He cites John 21:22, and views that event in relation to the apostles as a literal, rather than symbolic occurrence.  Addition "infillings" he observes, include Acts 2:4, and Acts 4:31, where the same people received something additional, of the same Spirit.  You can see other instances, as John, in Revelation 1:10, who "was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day."

What we need to discover, as Dr. Graham would agree, is less that we put our trust in human doctrines (as the mark of Christianity) and more in our honest love for one another.   Love will mark us, and will be expressed toward God, toward other people, and we will love the written Word of God.  Jesus made this point, in speaking to the Ephesians (Revelation 2:1-7, especially verse 4), that we can be doctrinally perfect, walk properly, and yet miss it all, because we have "lost our first love."  He tells such people to "Repent."   It is His prayer, for all the church, of all time (John 17:20-21), that we are to be "one" (in love) – every one who truly belongs to Him.  The mark of God’s true people is love.

Verse 16.  "For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."

In Acts 8:13, we discussed Romans 10:9, where it is seen that if we truly BELIEVE, we WILL be saved.  It is the "heart" that must be made new, and baptism is an outward witness that something has been changed inside.  These people had received, and yet they needed what the church needs today, a touch from the Holy Spirit of God, in order to have the COMPLETENESS so badly needed by all in this world.  In our hearts we know, that as Christians, we need to agree on Christ, and then understand that God has infinite resources.  He will give endlessly, to the person who is open to Him.  We need to become open to God.

You may ask, what is "baptism" in this context, for some teach we are saved BY the act of being baptized in water.  Some teach you have to be baptized into THEIR church, and no other, in order to be right with God.  Baptism identifies us with the death of Christ (Romans 6:3), and also His resurrection (Romans 6:4), that we should walk in "newness of life."  Baptism is WONDERFUL, and it is our testimony to the world, that we have given up focusing on success in this world, and we have become – His.

Verse 17.  "Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit."

Matthew Henry observes that Philip had the gift of leading the people to Christ, but Peter and John, had been given the ability to lay hands upon them, that they might receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.  Philip had received the Holy Spirit but could not confer Him.  There are many gifts but one Spirit, within the people of God.   Matthew Henry comments (and this is interesting), that Peter was not in charge of the other apostles, "but he was so far from this that he submitted to an order of the house, and, as a servant to the body, went whither they sent him."  Peter had been sent to assist Philip’s ministry to the Samaritans.  We should periodically go back and read Philippians 2, where we see that the true leader in the church, is actually a servant of all.  Peter served, and we should do the same.

Verse 18.  "Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,"

If Simon had truly received Christ, he would have wanted to RECEIVE the Holy Spirit of God.  He saw that the Holy Spirit was being bestowed on people, through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, and you would think he would say to himself, "Why, that’s wonderful!  I want the Holy Spirit, too!"  But instead, he was ambitious.  He wanted, as Matthew Henry commented, "to have the honor of an apostle, but was not at all solicitous to have the spirit and disposition of a Christian."  His desire was to gain honor for himself.  Our walk with Christ is not about money, or personal gain.

Verse 19.  "saying, Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Now, Simon’s assumption, in confronting the apostles, was that they were mercenary men, just like he was.  We tend to reveal who WE are, by the assumptions we make about other people.  Simon wanted authority; he wanted to continue to be called the "Great Power of God" (verse 10). When we come to Christ, we fall in love.   It isn’t about "me" anymore, it’s about Him.  It’s about you, as well.  I may or may not have met you in person, but I love you.  I cannot help it, because I am loved by my Savior, and I must love in return.   Simon’s demands that he be placed in some position of authority, revealed that something was wrong, deep in the foundation of his supposed belief in our Lord.

Verse 20.  "But Peter said to him, May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!"

Peter saw right through him.  Philip did not.  There was nothing wrong with Philip, by the way, for Peter was merely demonstrating the gift of "discerning of spirits" (1 Corinthians 12:10).  He listened intently to Simon, as did Philip and John, but it was Peter, with this gift, who saw to the heart of the person and knew he was false.  The person with this gift, can listen to someone, or read a book they wrote, and KNOW what kind of spirit was behind that which is said or written.  Is it the Holy Spirit? – You know.  Is that which is said or written, subtly from the enemy? – You simply know.

It was in extremely poor taste, given the setting, for Simon to offer them money, but it was more, much more that caused this response from Peter.  It was the Spirit of God, Who gave him the discernment to really understand that Simon’s motives were from the very pit of hell.  Simon was a false Christian, and Peter knew it.

There is no real point in pretending we are something we are not.  God certainly knows the truth about us, and His opinion is the only one that really matters.  His holy angels are watching us (and watching out for us), all the time.  We are never alone, and when we think we are, we’re just kidding ourselves.  "No one will see me" is always an oxymoron, a false statement.  And finally, there really are people just like Peter, in the church today, with this gift, who can see right through every one of us.  Be who you really are, for there’s no point in pretending – ever again.

Verse 21.  "You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God."

J. Vernon McGee said about this verse, "This is the reason we know this man is not converted.  Simon Peter declares that his heart is not right before God…His big interest is money.  That was the important thing to this man."  You and I must look at ourselves in this context, and the question right now is:  "What is important to you?"

This verse goes to the a question in the heart of man:  How can we have "part (and) portion" with God?  The answer is that our hearts must become right before Him.  There are two parts of becoming right with Him, in this chapter:  Believe in Jesus Christ (verse 12, and be baptized as a sign of that belief), and receive the Holy Spirit of God (verse 15).

The question, at the bottom of your soul (How can we become right with God?), often below the level of conscious thought, has just been answered.  What will you DO about that information?

Verse 22.  "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you."

This is a world of wickedness (it’s becoming more apparent all the time), and we are all guilty before a Holy God.  Simon’s predicament was somewhat more precarious, because he was a hypocrite.  That is, he did something very dangerous, He pretended to be one of God’s own, when he was not.  (God is not pleased with those who pretend they are His).

There is a Door to God for the sinner, and His Name is Jesus Christ. Repentance (a change of heart; a change of your ways), and prayer, are twin keys to open that Door.  John (1 John 1:9) teaches us to "confess our sins".   A Way has been given through the precious cross of Christ, and because of His provision, "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Note Peter says "if possible" in the case of Simon, for Peter, with the discernment of spirits showing him the heart of this man, saw the blackness of Simon’s heart.  It was doubtful, but all things are indeed possible with God.

Verse 23.  "For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."

Many years ago, I read an interesting account which asserted that Simon Magus never did repent, but instead started an apostate (or counterfeit) church, which was in existence for a number of years.  It is so difficult for the pretender, to ever turn to God.  (Pride gets in the way).  The one who is in religion for the money, can seldom change. Calvin said "Mere knowledge of God can no more connect a man with God, than the sight of the sun can carry one to heaven."

Each one of us must come to Christ on our own.  The work of salvation, must be ours alone, in Him.  Paul said "let each one examine his own work and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another" (Galatians 6:4).  Simon had looked at the miracles in the lives of the people, and wanted to do the miracles himself.  He needed more than the miraculous.  It is the Lord we need; it is HIM we seek.

Verse 24.  "But Simon answered and said, Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."

Here’s where Simon Magus made his mistake – he did not repent.  He instead asked them to pray that bad things would not happen to him.   Sometimes, a Scripture verse or a sermon, will go directly to your heart, and point out practices or thoughts in you, that need correction.  When this happens, you must act:

Go to the Lord.  As stated before, our Lord is faithful and He is just.  He will forgive and cleanse the person who comes to Him in confession and repentance.  Simon was being rejected in his bid to become the one to give out spiritual gifts.  Did he repent at this time?  No, for he instead asked for a "quick fix" of prayer by somebody else.  He did not even bother to pray to the Lord on his own.

Verse 25.  "So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans."

In spite of the fact they had been told "Go into all the world", it had been hard for them to do so.  But they were getting the hang of it, as we see here – they were "preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans."

Note they solemnly testified and spoke the Word of the Lord.  Matthew Henry made the interesting observation, "They did not pretend to bring them anything new, though they were apostles, but bore their testimony to the Word of the Lord, as they had received it."  Our Lord has given us the written Word of God, and though we plumbed its’ depths for 10,000 years, we could not fathom it all – We don’t need a "new revelation" – We need the Word of the Lord.

Verse 26.  "But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.  (This is a desert road.)"

When the apostles went back to Jerusalem, Philip remained, fully expecting to continue the work in Samaria, which was a populated, relatively lush area, north of Jerusalem.   But an angel of the Lord spoke to him, directing him to what we know as the Gaza Strip, a sparsely populated desert area, south of Jerusalem, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.  It would seem logical to remain in a populous area (especially with a people who were turning to the Lord), and Philip must have wondered about this, as he walked to the barren desert of Gaza.

A question might be, how did the angel speak to him?  A dream?  A vision?  We are not told, but it should be noted the Lord does not have to use physical communication to impart information.  God speaks to His people today and the method often used, is interesting – He causes us to simply KNOW.  How does any true pastor know he is to be a pastor?  How does a missionary know which far-off country is right for them?  We just know, for the Holy Spirit, who lives within us, reveals all that we every need.  There are false angels as well as true. How did Philip know this was one of the "good ones?"  He KNEW, and because he knew, he instantly went (verse 27), no questions asked.

Verse 27.  "So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship,"

The country Philip had been sent to (Gaza), was quite empty.  At that time, you could walk for miles and not see much at all.  Some of the descendents of Ishmael were in that place – would he encounter them, he perhaps wondered?  But then he saw a chariot, containing an official of a far-off land.  Sometimes we are sent to a desert-place in our lives, and wonder, what is all this about?

Notice that Philip was sent to a man of high influence in his country.  There were two Ethiopias, one in Arabia, to the east, but this one seems to have been from the one to the south, on the east coast of Africa (as it is today).  He was sent to one man, but a very influential person, someone who would take the gospel back to his people, and many would be saved.

Sometimes we do little and few notice what is done.  Yet we do not see that God can take our little and turn it into much.  The issue is God’s strength, God’s purposes, and not our own.

Verse 28.  "and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah."

Here was a man who had come a long way, seeking God, and now he was returning, without fulfillment (I am, by the way, impressed with the distances people traveled, at that time – This guy came from Ethiopia!).  He was reading a scroll of Isaiah the prophet, and we shall see (verses 32-33), he was in Chapter 53, of that Book.

Verse 29.  "Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go up and join this chariot."

Often there is quite some time, after God tells you to go, before you learn what comes next.  Faith is built from such experiences.  It’s important to realize that if you go at the first call of God, you will then be able to experience the joy of His next Touch.  Previously, it had been an angel who spoke to him (verse 26), but now it was the Holy Spirit of God, Who whispered to his heart, "Go…(to this) chariot."

Verse 30.  "Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Do you understand what you are reading?"

The question of Jesus to His disciples was "Have you understood all these things?" and that is the question to you and me.  We may read His Word, but do we understand?  I remember very well reading from Genesis through Revelation, in 1969-70, and not comprehending a bit of it.  Then I prayed, and God answered that prayer.

Answer this honestly - When you head and read the Word of God, do you understand?   Does it speak to your heart?  Let this question echo around within you.   And here’s another:  Why do so many Christians read so little, in the Word of God?  The answer to this explains much of the state of the Church - they do not read, because the Word is not alive to them.

The door to the understanding of life, you secretly hunger for, is right here in this Book.  But the Key to finding the LIFE it offers, is the Holy Spirit.  Go to God, and "hound" Him with your prayers, until this Book is recognized as ALIVE with the life of God.  He may come to you directly, or open the Word through a person, but He WILL answer your prayer.

Verse 31.  "And he said, Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?   And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him."

The Ethiopian official's response was a little "testy" and he was precisely where so many religious people are today.  He was reading the good Word of God, but he did not understand.  The Word of God offers LIFE, but this man, who had sought that life, had not yet received from God.

Again, as in the commentary on verse 30, God may answer the prayer of your heart directly, or He may send a person (or persons) to answer your need.  In this case, the man had come all the way to Jerusalem, and was returning, unsatisfied.  Note that God had communicated to Philip in Samaria, and sent him to Gaza, to the need of this man.   If God seemed to be saying to us, "Go to Gaza," most of us would not go; but Philip went!

If you don’t understand - pray!  God will hear and answer.  If you do understand, and are prompted to go speak to someone about the Lord and His Word - do so!   You may be the answer to prayer for someone in need.

Verse 32-33.  "Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:   He was led as a sheep to slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He does not open His mouth.  In humiliation His judgment was taken away; who will relate His generation?  For His life is removed from the earth."

These verses are a transliteration of Isaiah 53:7-8, a section dealing with the suffering and death of our Messiah.  This prophetic material was written 700 years before the birth of Jesus, and yet, like Psalm 22, Isaiah 53 is like an Xray, an explicit picture of His death on the cross for the sins of the world.  The bottom line for Isaiah 53, is that the Messiah would give up everything for you and for me.  His prerogatives as King, His reputation, His life - He gave it all for you.  He became your Servant, who died in your place.

Verse 34-35.  "The eunuch answered Philip and said, Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this?  Of himself or of someone else?"  Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him."

This Ethiopian came right to the point, for he had no idea al all who Isaiah was speaking about - was it about himself?  Someone else?  The Jewish teaching has been that Isaiah was speaking of the Temple, or the people Israel, but that rendition is not a good fit.  The answer is, that we really cannot know, except that the Holy Spirit of God reveals His Word.  Prophesies, as Matthew Henry pointed out, "had usually in them something of obscurity, till they were explained by the accomplishment of them…" And that is an aspect of prophesy we need to understand.

It is often in the accomplishment of prophesy, that it is finally understood.   There was a famous preacher in the 1920’s, named Otto Klink (that really was his name) who was giving a "Revelation" series.  He would "announce the truth of 666 next week," he said.  He started that next sermon but never finished it, because he died of a heart attack right in the middle of his presentation.   It is when these Revelation events OCCUR, that we shall truly understand them.

Isaiah 53 was finally FULFILLED in Christ, 700 years after the words were spoken.   It was at that point, Isaiah’s words became utterly clear.  If you have not read that chapter lately (Isaiah 53), find time to read it now, for it is beautiful and reveals what the Messiah of Israel has done for you.

Verse 36.  "As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, Look! Water!  What prevents me from being baptized?"

The eunuch’s question is wonderful, and it is answered in the next verse - it goes right to the heart of what it means to be a Christian.  Do I take on the outward symbols of the Christian religion, and do these acts qualify me before God?  I like the decisiveness of the Ethiopian as shown in his response.  If all this is true about Christ, I’ll get baptized right now!  I want to be a part of this!

And that is important.  Christ died for you, that He might have your whole life.   He died that you might LIVE, and live abundantly, in and for Him. In a church, you often see a FEW people, who do so MUCH.  Christ died for ALL, that we ALL might live for Him (and for each other, in the Power of God).

Verse 37.  "And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may.   And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

To the man’s request that he be baptized in water (verse 36), Philip answered:   ONLY if you BELIEVE in Christ with all your heart!  Paul said, if you "believe in your heart that God has raised (Christ) from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).  The outward act is good, but it does not benefit the person, unless the heart is converted by the Lord.  The Ethiopian eunuch understood, for he answered "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

And that is the answer needed by every one of us.  My baptism will not save me - I must believe that Jesus is the Son of God.  If I suddenly become charitable and give things to the needy, it does not make me right before God, unless I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  Paul said to speak in tongues or prophesy, or to understand, or to have faith, or give to charity, is nothing, unless we have love (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).  And that love comes when we truly believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Verse 38.  "And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him."

When your heart becomes right before Him, God WILL address your outward needs.   One of them will be that you acquire a need to tell others you belong to Christ, and He allows you to express that need - through baptism.  David, who lived in an outward system of sacrifices, saw this clearly.  "For You do not desire sacrifices, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a contrite heart - these, O God, You will not despise…then You will be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with burnt offerings and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer bulls on You altar" (Psalm 51:16-19).  First the heart becomes right before God, and then the outward act becomes acceptable.

The sacrifices looked ahead to Christ, and baptism looks back to Christ.  When our hearts are right before Him; THEN He will receive our outward religious acts.  Philip now properly baptized the Ethiopian eunuch, for the man’s heart was right before God.

Verse 39-40.  "When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.   But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea."

I am impressed with the lack of any space-time limitations in relation to God.   Philip was at Gaza, baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch, and then suddenly he was caught up by the Spirit, and was gone!  Philip now found himself at Azotus, which was about 30-miles to the north (east of Gaza).  We see this also with Ezekiel the prophet.   In Ezekiel 8:3, the prophet seems to have been lifted in vision from Babylon to Jerusalem.  In Ezekiel 3:12-15, he was taken literally from one place to another.

Daniel (Daniel 8:2) who was also in Babylon, was taken in a vision to Susa, the capital of Persia.  John (Revelation 4:1 & forward), was taken up to the very throne of God.  Was he literally there, or was it a vision?  We do not know for sure, but we do know that God can overcome any obstacle in your life, and take you anywhere He decides you need to be.  Whether in the heart or in the body, there is no difficulty in your life too great - God will RESCUE you, and show you all you ever need to see.

It had become TIME for Philip to leave - he had a work to do in the cities between Azotus and Caesarea.  And God took him there, in an instant of time, in His power.  The Ethiopian official was ready now.  He was in the kingdom of God, and would return to his country and to tell his people of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy, of his Savior, Jesus Christ.  There is no desert, or prison cell, or hospital bed that can hold you, and when your purpose in that place is done, you will not be there, for God will take you and bring great purpose to YOU.

Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org