Big Ideas

1. The Holy Spirit is on the move.

The interaction between Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch was anything but coincidental. Philip wasn’t building a relationship of trust and respect with the Ethiopian. In fact, there is no indication that any previous interaction had ever taken place. The Spirit was already at work in the Ethiopian’s life. An angel directed Philip to head south. The Holy Spirit directed Philip to join the Eunuch in his chariot. There was no slick strategy to this. All of it was the work of God by the Holy Spirit.

2. Jesus and Isaiah.

The Eunuch in this story is reading Isaiah 53, one of the clearest and most beloved Old Testament depictions of Jesus’ atoning death. But the Eunuch is understandably confused. He doesn’t know who the text is speaking about. Through Philip, he comes to understand that the faithful suffering servant of Isaiah is none other than Jesus. Once again, we see how the entire Bible points us to Jesus.

3. Supernatural events.

You can’t read this story and walk away without questions. How exactly did Philip encounter the angel in verse 26? And what does it mean that Philip was “carried away, and the Eunuch saw him no more”? The truth is that these are mysteries that should lead us to awe and wonder, not skepticism and doubt. God is able to do anything he wants to do. He is not bound in the ways that we are.

Study Questions

1. What can this interaction between Philip and the Eunuch teach us about evangelism and the work of the Holy Spirit?

2. Take a moment to read Isaiah 53. What does that text teach us about Jesus?

3. How do you respond to incredible stories in the Bible like this that defy any sort of rational explanation?