ACTS - WEEK 13
The Gospel is from anyone and to anyone
Watch Announcement Video
Read Acts 8:26-40
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south[a] 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. 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. 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. 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?”[b] 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 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.
DISCUSS
1. Where does Philip get sent in verse 26? How might he have been feeling after being sent into a dessert without a clear purpose?
2. Looking at the passage, in what ways is the Ethiopian such an unlikely convert from a Jewish perspective? What does this teach us?
3. It becomes clear in verse 29 that the reason Philip has been sent down this dessert road is to share the Gospel with the Eunach. What does this show about God’s care for those who might otherwise be forgotten?
4. Has God placed you anywhere that you have a unique opportunity to share the gospel with somebody who otherwise may never hear it, or that you might be inclined to overlook?
5. How might Philip have used the quoted scripture from Isaiah to point to Jesus?
6. What starting points, or questions that are being asked by people around you, could be a way in to explaining the gospel to someone in your life?
7. Hearing the Gospel explained, causes the Eunach to respond immediately with baptism.
a) Do you tend to believe that the gospel message has the power to change someone on the spot? Why or Why not
b) Do you believe that you personally could articulate the gospel in such a way that the spirit could use it to change someones heart? Why or Why not?
APPLY.
1. Who is someone that you are in a position to share the gospel with, that might feel like an unlikely person to respond to the Gospel?
2. What might it look like to be more perceptive and aware of the Gospel opportunities around you this week?
PRAY