Acts 8:26 says, “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert place.” It was this preacher named Philip who preached to an Ethiopian man.  While we do not know the first name of this Ethiopian.  We do know he was “a eunuch” (Acts 8:27) “a chief treasurer” (Acts 8:27) and a servant of queen “Candace” of the land of Ethiopia in northern Africa (Acts 8:27).

One great thing about God’s reveled word , the Bible, is the fact that it was written not as a textbook, but often is presented more along the lines of a story.  There is often emphasis on the listener.  The Gospel (Romans 1:16) is for and about people.  This tells us it’s message is about all of us as recipients.  Since there is emphasis on the listener we need to ask: “what does it say to do, for if I know what God says to do, I’ll do it!”

This was the attitude of the chief financial officer of Ethiopia (Acts 8:27).  There are many facts one can ascertain from the character of this man.  First,  He was devoted to worship.  His trip from Africa to Jerusalem would have taken a very long time, quite possibly months.  Therefore whatever it took to please his God (and He’s our God,too), he would do.  This characteristic makes him different from many people.

Second,  He was humble.  He invited Philip up to his chariot.  He didn’t say something like, “step back I just had my Chariot waxed!”  He was even willing humbly to admit his ignorance to his reading of the Bible, For he said, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” (Acts 8:34).

Which brings us to point three, He was also a Bible reader.  It appears from the text He was reading aloud.  Most likely when he did not understand what was read the first time He would re-read it, much like we all do today when we are not sure what a document is implying on an initial reading.

He also was a believer!  He realized that something was missing and Philip found the opportunity to preach Jesus to him.  The study with Philip all surrounded the teachings of Jesus (Isaiah 53).  The man from Ethiopia obeyed the simplicity for just what it was.

Our 5th point about Philip teaching this very studious Ethiopian is that the Ethiopian obeyed. The Ethiopian as He travelled saw some water and he saw the need to immediately believe and be baptized for the forgiveness of His sins. Read Acts 8 and choose today What you aught to do to be saved.

Here are a few more passages to assist you:

What Must One Do To Be Saved? Hear (Romans 10:17) / Believe (John 3:16) Repent (Acts 2:38) / Confess (Romans 10:9-10) and Be Baptized (Mark 16:16). By: J.R. Rosado