The bible is not like every other book. It is the word of God, composed by the Spirit of God. There is Spirit behind every letter in the bible. This is why we cannot understand the content with only our human understanding.
2 Peter 1 verses 19 to 21 admonish,
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
The entire bible was written when some holy men were moved by the Spirit of God. The Ethiopian Eunuch is an important official and must be an intelligent person to hold that position, yet he could not comprehend the contents of the passage of the scripture.
You need to have a mutual relationship with God for you to understand his word. “Jesus said I know my sheep and my sheep knows my voice, and I will give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” ( John 10 verses 27 to 28)
As many that received him, to them, he made His children, and those are the ones He communicates with. As soon as the Ethiopian Eunuch received Jesus, his ears of understanding were open, and what look like stories to him suddenly became impactful.
Who wrote Acts 8:26-40 and when was it written?
Acts 8:26-40 was believed to be written by Luke. It was written around 61 to 64 AD.
What is the context of Acts 8?
The context of Acts 8 talks about the passionate spread of the gospel by the Apostles.
The church of Christ in Jerusalem in the ancient world sometimes suffered great persecution. Believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the Apostles who can hold their faith. Saul was the ring leader, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
The gospel spread all over the city of Samaria with an influx of multitudes into the city. Philip later went to the city to preach, and God wrought several miracles through his hand. Unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
The chapter further talks about a man called Simon, a magician who pretended to be a man of God, deceiving people with his sorceries and claiming he was using the power of God. The presence of Philip in the city changed the entire story.
Both men and women were baptized when they heard the preaching of Philip, the Sorcerer Simon also believed and was baptized seeing the miracles performed by the hands of Philip.
The gospel spread all through the city of Samaria but something was missing. The people received the gospel message but none of them was baptized with Holy Spirit.
Peter and John were sent there on this mission as we see in bible gateway, Act 8 verses 14 to 17, “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Simon the Sorcerer was amazed when he saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money to buy the power to do the same. This infuriates Peter and he quickly rebuked him. Simon requested Peter to pray for him that none of the things spoken by him will come to pass. Peter and John finished their course in Samaria and return to Jerusalem.
But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” ( Act 8 verses 20 to 23)
The chapter ended with divine connectivity between Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. God organized the salvation of the soul of the Eunuch using Philip and an angel. The angel appeared to Philip and sent him exactly to where the man was waiting to be saved.
“Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship.” ( Act 8 verses 26 to 27)
The man was reading the portion in the old testament about Jesus but could not understand. Philip explained the passage of scripture to him, preached to him about Jesus, and baptized him by water immersion.
What is the message of Acts 8:26-40?
The message of Acts 8:26-40 means God is behind the salvation of every soul.
Jesus said in John 6 verse 44,
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
God sent an angel to Philip, and gave him very clean and clear instructions on where to go and who to meet; “Go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza., in a desert place. You will meet a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship,”
Philip must have marked out his journey plan, without putting gaza road on the list. That was his plan, not God’s plan for that trip. The angel spoke to him and he went immediately but on getting to where the Eunuch was, Philip was still reluctant to go near him. The Bible said, the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” ( Act 8 verse 29)
God has perfected everything concerning the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch, Philip was just a labourer to actualize the plan. The amazing part of the message is the fact that the man was reading a portion in the book of Prophet Isaiah that talks about Jesus which he did not understand as he was spiritually blind.
“The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” ( Act 8 verses 32 to 33)
He gave his life to Christ willingly, and when they went down the road, they came to some water. He offered to be baptized voluntarily as well, while Philip went his way.
“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.” ( Act 8 verses 38 to 39)
It is the grace of God that gives salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to every ungodliness and worldly passion and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.
How can I apply Acts 8: 26-40 to my life?
God leads us in a way that is the best route for our lives. The road may be rough and may be a lonely road, it may be strange places, and the destination may not also be enticing but I can assure you, that is the right place to follow, and something good awaits you at the end.
David said in Psalms 23 verses 1 and 2,
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”
God’s way is higher than our ways, His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
The Israelites were taken through the wilderness road out of Egypt. This is a long way but God did this intentionally to achieve his plan and purpose for them. He knew Pharaoh and his chariots will chase them and they may chicken out, and be taken back to Egypt.
Exodus 13 verses 17 and 18 says,
“Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.”
Philip also will be wondering why God is asking him to go to the desert road, in the middle of nowhere. What will be running through his mind will be; Is the gospel going to be for human beings or animals?
He didn’t know that God has prepared a harvest ready for him. Philip hearkened to the voice of God without any reservation and his journey was fruitful.
Isaiah 48 verse 21 says,
“And they did not thirst When He led them through the deserts; He caused the waters to flow from the rock for them; He also split the rock, and the waters gushed out.”
The good news is that there is great joy if you follow divine direction. Your good work will open the door of favour to you in Jesus’ name.
What is Revelation?
Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines revelation as a fact that people are made aware of, especially one that has been secret and is surprising.
Cambridge Dictionary defines it as the act of making something known that was secret, or a fact that is made known.
In both definitions above, we can see that revelations are the unfolding of hidden secrets.
Revelation in the kingdom of God is the unveiling or uncovering of the truth which has been hidden or not clear. God is always willing to make himself known to everyone who truly desires. Everything you require to know about God is contained in the bible. I will refer to the entire bible as the book of revelation.
The kingdom of God is a kingdom of mysteries. God Himself is deep.
We cannot fully know God. You can only know God as much as He reveals to you, not any further. God is infinite and we are finite. He is a just and kind God, who allows us to search out some of the unfathomable truths.
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgement and His ways past finding out!” ( Romans 11 verse 33)
The secrets of God are with them that fear Him and He will show them his covenants.
How do I receive the revelation of the word?
The first step to take to receive the revelation of the word is to be spiritually prepared. The word of God itself is a spirit.
We see that in John 6 verse 63,
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”
You cannot approach spiritual things with carnality.
Revelations 1 verses 10 to 11 says,
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the last, and, What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
Also in Ezekiel 2 verses 2 and 3,
“Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me. And He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.”
Men and women in the spirit do not struggle to hear God. Remember God is a Spirit, those who worship Him must do so in spirit and truth.
Ask for the wisdom of God
We cannot understand the bible with intellectual wisdom. Everything that is from above is above all, including wisdom. Approach God with meekness, and ask Him to speak to you.
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”
(Ephesians 1 verses 17 to 19)
Ensure constant studying and meditation of the word of God
You need to read the scripture passage several times before you can receive it. The word must get to the point that it becomes food unto you; Add the bible to your menu list.
What food is to a natural man is what the word of God suppose to be for believers. Natural food feeds our body the same way the bible feeds our spirit.
Jeremiah 15 verse 16 says,
“Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.”
As you read constantly and meditate on the word, God will begin to reveal Himself to you.
Joshua 1 verse 8 says,
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
We must engage in diligent study of the holy scriptures to receive the revelation of the word.
Be willing to hear
This is where most Christians miss it. We give out time to pray and study the word but are always in a hurry to go back to our activities. Sometimes, our mind is too busy that we are not sensitive to hearing God when He speaks back to us.
Look for a quiet place to communicate with God, and avoid every distraction. Look at the case of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 verses 11 to 12,
“Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”
Anytime you seek to hear from God, be calm, and listen for Him to speak back to you.
Engage your heart
Our hearts are the contact point to communicate with God.
God deals with us with our hearts. Your heart must first be made pure and ready.
David says, in Psalm 51 verses 10 and 11,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”
A pure heart must then be engaged to connect to God. Only those who engage their hearts are entitled to hear from God.
Jeremiah 29 verses 12 to 14,
“Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.”
Let your heart pant after God
God is demanding love from believers today. People’s love has shifted to the things of this world. Most people have forgotten that the things of the world are temporal.
1 John 4 verse 19 says,
“We love Him because He first loved us.”
He has first demonstrated His love for us in John 3 verses 16 and 17,
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Why then are we holding back our love for him?
The greatest commandment is love. God gave His disciples two commandments and called them the great commandments.
Jesus also made it clear to us in Mark 12 verses 29 to 31,
“Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
God exposes Himself to all his lovers.
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” ( 1 Corinthians 2 verses 9 and 10)
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
What is Acts 8: 26-40 prayer?
Our Heavenly Father, open the eyes of my understanding that I may behold the wondrous thing out of your word. Cause me to hear when you speak to me and let your word transform me into your image from glory to glory through Christ Jesus I pray. AMEN
Conclusion
The will of God is for all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. All souls belong to Him. ( Ezekiel 18 verse 4). God will do anything to bring more people into his kingdom, You and I are just privileged to be partakers in bringing His will to manifestation.
Go ye therefore to the uttermost parts of the earth, go with the great commission, and reach out to the people today.
God sent Philip in this instance to The Ethiopian Eunuch. He did not waste time delivering this spiritual assignment. Just imagine if he has delayed, the Ethiopian Eunuch would have returned to his city, without being won to Christ. Be prompt and committed to every spiritual assignment.
1 Corinthians 15 verse 58 admonishes us,
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Remember what the bible says in the book of Ecclesiastes 3 verses 1 and 2,
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;”
Tune fast to every scriptural and prophetic instruction, it is for your blessings. God is not looking for who to use but who to bless.
There is joy in heaven when one soul surrenders to Christ.
