Acts 8:25-40 – Salvation is of the Lord

This man was an important officer in Candace’s staff (Candace was a title like Caesar or Pharaoh). He had servants (v. 34) and was also a proselyte of the synagogue. Perhaps like many he was a “God-fearer” who attended the synagogue but hadn’t taken the step of being circumcised. Isaiah 53 (which he was reading) had possibly been discussed at the fast he had been attending. The unbelieving Jews were keen to rob it of its Messianic content because of the uproar about our Lord Jesus.

We are also given Philip’s example of obedience when he went to the desert from what seemed a much more promising situation. Most of all we see the hand of God in every circumstance. The meeting of these men in the desert, the reading, then Philip “told him the good news about Jesus” (v. 35).

The fact that they both went down to the water tells us nothing about the mode of baptism, since this would be done if the water was poured on him.

Questions
1. How does the passage show our dependence on the work of the Holy Spirit if we are to see people converted?
2. Is God in control of everything?

Prayer Points
1. Pray for boldness to speak to people about Jesus.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.