Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Philip, led by the Spirit, explains Isaiah's prophecy to an Ethiopian official and baptizes him on the desert road to Gaza.
The angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, directing him to arise and journey toward Gaza along the desert road. This divine appointment was no accident—God was orchestrating a meeting that would carry the gospel into Africa. Philip obeyed immediately.
As Philip drew near, he encountered a man of great authority: an Ethiopian eunuch, a treasurer under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This official had traveled hundreds of miles to worship in Jerusalem. Returning homeward in his chariot, he was reading from the prophet Isaiah.
The Spirit prompted Philip to join himself to the chariot. Philip heard the eunuch reading aloud and asked, 'Understandest thou what thou readest?' The eunuch's response revealed humility: 'How can I, except some man should guide me?'
Philip began at that very scripture—Isaiah 53:7-8—and preached unto him Jesus. As they journeyed, they came upon water, and the eunuch said, 'See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?' Philip answered that if he believed with all his heart, he might. The eunuch confessed, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'
They went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more—yet he went on his way rejoicing.