Bible Study - Acts 8: 26-40

Read Acts chapter 8 verses 26-40

In Luke's detailed narrative, we are transported to days of "miracles and wonders", of events against a background of tongues of fire, earthquakes, storms at sea, and imprisonments. We witness unmerited beatings and life threatening shipwrecks. We share momentous journeys, visiting Cyprus, Malta, Asia Minor, Greece, Rome, and many points in between. We observe experiments in true communism ("having all things in common") and take our place in the public gallery during endless trials before Jewish and Roman "supremos". We are bystanders at a series of spectacular mass conversions on the grand scale.

Then, without warning, we discover a fascinating little gem of a story - "Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch".

This memorable encounter is between Philip, who had just been the means of " bringing great joy to a city" in Samaria, and an African visitor to Jerusalem, on his way home. The outcome is the latter's conversion and baptism with a happy ending as "he went on his way rejoicing".

This account challenges our imagination.

Questions

Why is the convert, with such an impressive CV, so emphatically designated as "The Ethiopian Eunuch "?

How did he obtain the scroll of the prophet Isaiah copied meticulously by a scribe from an existing copy? Was it purchased from the market stall in the Temple precincts?

How had an Ethiopian become so proficient in the Hebrew language and sufficiently confident to read it aloud?

Why was he travelling on a 'B' road and not on the Roman Highway?

The A.V. refers to his "chariot". Surely not a 2-wheeled, single seater, sports model (cf.Ben Hur); more likely to be a kind of 1st Century off-road Range Rover.

For thought

How can I, as I am, share the blessings of the Christian life when God-given opportunities come my way?

Prayer

O God, as we face the unknown future, may we know that you are always with us to guide and to bless.

Norbury Parish Church, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire. Telephone: 0161-483 8640