philip and the ethiopian acts 8:26-40 message 2 in our 8-part series on the acts of the apostles

Rosemount Bible ChurchRosemount Bible Church

Philip and the EthiopianActs 8:26-40

Message 2 in our 8-part series on the Acts of the Apostles

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Speaker: Paul Margerrison


Acts Chapter 8 verses 26 - 40 Acts Chapter 8 verses 26 - 40

Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 2:41Acts 2:41

But many who heard the message believed, and the number But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.of men grew to about five thousand.

Acts 4:4Acts 4:4

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women.were baptised, both men and women.

Acts 8:12Acts 8:12


Acts Chapter 8 verses 26 - 40Acts Chapter 8 verses 26 - 40

• God is trying to get our attention but our minds are so God is trying to get our attention but our minds are so focused on our family, our jobs or we are even too busy in focused on our family, our jobs or we are even too busy in church to notice him.church to notice him.

• We may feel a sense of inadequacy when asked to speak to We may feel a sense of inadequacy when asked to speak to someone different to us or who appears to be more someone different to us or who appears to be more

important than us.important than us.

• What if we were in Samaria at the time of such revival What if we were in Samaria at the time of such revival where our preaching was having such incredible results? where our preaching was having such incredible results? Would we drop it all to go into the desert without a clear Would we drop it all to go into the desert without a clear plan?plan?



• Following the Holy Spirit’s leadingFollowing the Holy Spirit’s leading

• Began the discussion from where the eunuch was Began the discussion from where the eunuch was (immersed in the prophecies of Isaiah)(immersed in the prophecies of Isaiah)

• Explained how Jesus Christ fulfilled Isaiah’s propheciesExplained how Jesus Christ fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecies



He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.mouth. Isaiah 53:7Isaiah 53:7

By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished.punished. Isaiah 53:8Isaiah 53:8

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.all. Isaiah 53:6Isaiah 53:6



The Ethiopian:The Ethiopian:

•Who was very religious, yet still lost.Who was very religious, yet still lost.

•Who was willing to learn and open to being taughtWho was willing to learn and open to being taught

•To whom Philip preached JesusTo whom Philip preached Jesus

•Who then immediately requested and received baptismWho then immediately requested and received baptism



• What does stand in the way of my being baptised?

• What should not stand in the way of my being baptised?



What does stand in the way of my being baptised?

Lack of faith: Belief in Jesus Christ is a prerequisiteBelief in Jesus Christ is a prerequisite

16 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Mark 16:16Mark 16:16

Lack of repentance: Repentance is a prerequisite to baptismRepentance is a prerequisite to baptism

38 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38Acts 2:38



What does stand in the way of my being baptised?

Lack of water: Baptism with full emersion in water signifies Lack of water: Baptism with full emersion in water signifies the death, burial and resurrection with Christ that washes the death, burial and resurrection with Christ that washes away sin.away sin.

3 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 4 We were We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Romans 6:3-4Romans 6:3-4



What should not stand in the way of my being baptised?

Pride:Pride:

•Some people are too proud to admit they need forgiveness Some people are too proud to admit they need forgiveness for their sins.for their sins.

•Some people are too proud to acknowledge they are Some people are too proud to acknowledge they are mistaken about their need for baptism.mistaken about their need for baptism.

6 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

James 4:6James 4:6




Family:Family:

•Some people are concerned about what their family will Some people are concerned about what their family will thinkthink

37 37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. more than me is not worthy of me. 38 38 Whoever does not take Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of meup their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”.”

Matthew 10:37-38Matthew 10:37-38




Peer pressure:Peer pressure:

•Some people are afraid of being ridiculed or ostracized by Some people are afraid of being ridiculed or ostracized by their friends. their friends.

Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Luke 9:26Luke 9:26




Improper misunderstanding:Improper misunderstanding:

•Some people believe they do not know enough to be Some people believe they do not know enough to be baptized or they are not good enough to be baptisedbaptized or they are not good enough to be baptised

““19 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Spirit, 20 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20Matthew 28:19-20




Location or time of day:Location or time of day:

•Some may think baptism can occur only at certain timesSome may think baptism can occur only at certain times



““Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...”Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...”Matthew 28:19Matthew 28:19

““But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8Acts 1:8


Acts Chapter 8 verses 26 - 40Acts Chapter 8 verses 26 - 40• Before trying to be understood we need to understand.Before trying to be understood we need to understand.• Before opening our mouths, we must learn how to gain Before opening our mouths, we must learn how to gain

more of the mind of Christ.more of the mind of Christ.We must learn how to ask questions and listen to those we We must learn how to ask questions and listen to those we are speaking to.are speaking to.

• We must make decisions according to the promptings of We must make decisions according to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.the Holy Spirit.

• We should be ready for surprises from God. We should be ready for surprises from God. • We should not limit how the Holy Spirit might use God’s We should not limit how the Holy Spirit might use God’s

love, power or truth.love, power or truth.• We should demonstrate that God has so much to give to We should demonstrate that God has so much to give to

those who are searching for truth. those who are searching for truth. • We must never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ.We must never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ.



I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Luke 15:7

philip and the ethiopian acts 8:26-40 message 2 in our 8-part series on the acts of the apostles

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