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would never have imagined we could travel. (See Matthew 6:14-15; Colossians 3:13;
Hebrews 12:15-17.)

Act 8:24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things
which ye have spoken come upon me.

As far as we know, Simon never becomes a notable believer.

Act 8:25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to
Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Testimonies have a place where the Word is also taught. Peter and John continue preaching in
many of the small cities of Samaria and then return to Jerusalem. Philip is still in Samaria and will
receive supernatural instruction to go to Gaza.

THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH (26-40)

Next, an angel instructs Philip to take a road from Jerusalem to Gaza. Philip obeys and comes
upon an Ethiopian eunuch of great authority, reading the book of Isaiah. In explaining the
scripture, Philip preaches Jesus to the eunuch who receives Jesus and then asks Philip to baptize
him in water. The moment Philip and the eunuch come up out of the water, Philip is caught away
by the Holy Spirit, and the eunuch goes his way rejoicing. Philip is carried away by the spirit to
Azotus, where he continues to preach from there all the way to Caesarea.

THE ETHIOPIAN COMES TO WORSHIP

Act 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto
the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

Act 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority
under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to
Jerusalem for to worship,

The Ethiopian is third in power in his kingdom and his treasurer to the queen. He is very
dedicated to his office, his call as a eunuch, and to the Lord. When Philip finds him, the Ethiopian
is searching for the Lord more than in a religious way. The eunuch is searching the scriptures
when Philip finds him. He has become a Jewish proselyte and is traveling back from Jerusalem
where he traveled for the express purpose of worship. He had probably been there for six weeks,
from Passover to Pentecost.

His sincere desire to know the Lord causes the angel to give supernatural guidance to Philip.
Because of one man’s desire to find God, God sends Philip miles out of his way to minister to him
(compare Luke 7:1-10).

8:27 authority, dunastes (doo-nahs-tace); A high official, an important personage, a court
official, one invested with power, a ruler, a sovereign, a prince, a royal minister, a