The Conversion of the Eunuch

TEXT:  Acts 8:26-40

INTRODUCTION:

A.      ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH – TREASURER, JEW OR A PROSELYTE.

          1.       Had gone up to Jerusalem.

          2.       Reading the law, recognized that it was from God.

B.      MANY PROFOUND LESSONS.

I.      AGENTS INVOLVE IN THE EUNUCH’S CONVERSION.

A.      THE LORD – HIS MISSION ( Matt. 20:28 ), GREAT COMMISSION ( 28:19-20 ).

B.      ANGEL OF THE LORD.

          1.       Hebrews 1:14. We don’t know all of what angels do, but this is an example.

          2.       Angels have a great interest ( 1 Pet. 1:12 ).

C.      THE HOLY SPIRIT.

          1.       His job ( John 16:8 ).  How? ( John 14:26;  16:13 ).

          2.       Who received the revelations? ( Eph. 3:5 ).

          3.       Did not speak to the Eunuch, but to Philip ( vs. 29, 39 ).

D.      PHILIP, THE PREACHER.

          1.       Importance of the message ( John 6:44-45;  1 Cor. 15:1-3 ).

          2.       The importance of the Great Commission ( Mark 16:15-16;  Rom. 10:13-15 ).

E.      SCRIPTURE.

          1.       Exaltation of the word ( 1 Cor. 1:21;  Rom. 10:17 ).

          2.       Peter and Paul’s use of Scripture ( Acts 2 and 3;  Acts 17:1-3 ).

          3.       Where did Philip begin? ( Acts 8:30-35 ).

          4.       No funny or tear wrenching anecdotes.

F.      THE WILL OF THE EUNUCH – A FREE MORAL AGENT.

          1.       He took the initiative to react ( vs. 36 ).

          2.       Grace extended to all with the aim that they be saved( Titus 2:11;  1 Tim. 2:4).

G.      TWO IMPORTANT POINTS:

Point One:  The Lord, the angel, the Holy Spirit did not speak to the Eunuch.

          They acted in concert so that a man would come and teach from the Scriptures.

Point Two:  The Value of Personal Contact.  Jesus preached to the multitudes,

                   but had time for the woman at the well.

II.     THE EUNUCH AS A PROSPECT.

A.      AN IMPORTANT MAN.

          1.       An official of his government.  Free to travel distances to other countries.

          2.       Every soul is important (2 Pet. 3:9 ).

B.      A MAN OF CONVICTION – WENT TO A LOT OF TROUBLE TO WORSHIP.

          1.       Went all the way to Jerusalem, studying as he went.

          2.       Luke 13:24;  Heb. 2:1;  6:11-12.

C.      STUDIOUS.

          1.       Reading Isaiah, for his day a difficult passage ( 1 Pet. 1:10-11 ).

          2.       We need to be diligent ( Eph. 3:3-4;  2 Tim. 2:15 ).

D.      HUMBLE – Required in us ( Matt. 18:2-4;  1 Cor. 3:18 ).

E.      OBEDIENT.

          1.       Prompt ( vs. 36;  Acts 16:33 ).

          2.       We must obey ( Heb. 5:8-9;  James 2:24;  Gal. 5:6 ).

III.    THE RELATION OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS.

A.      THE OLD BEARS WITNESS OF THE NEW( Rom. 3:21-22;  Gal. 3:23-24 ).

B.      PETER’S REMARKS ( Acts 2:16-17;  3:18, 24 ).

IV.   SIMPLICITY.

A.      ISAIAH FULFILLED IN JESUS ( Isa. 53 è Acts 8:35 ).

B.      WHAT DID HE PREACH ABOUT JESUS FROM Isaiah 53?

          1.       His death for our sin ( 1 Pet. 2:24 ).

          2.       Philip preached Jesus in Samaria ( Acts 8:5, 12 ).

          3.       Reaction of Samaritans and the Eunuch tells us more about preaching Jesus

                   ( Acts 8:12, 36 ).

CONCLUSION:  HOW WILL YOU REACT WHEN YOU HEAR JESUS PREACHED?