29 Then the Spirit said to Philip , "Go up and join this chariot ." 30 Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet , and said , "Do you understand what you are reading ?" 31 And he said , "Well , how could I, unless e someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this : " HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO SLAUGHTER ; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT , SO HE DOES NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH . 33 " IN HUMILIATION HIS JUDGMENT WAS TAKEN AWAY ; WHO WILL RELATE HIS GENERATION ? FOR HIS LIFE IS REMOVED FROM THE EARTH ." 34 The eunuch answered Philip and said , "Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this ? Of himself or of someone else ?" 35 Then Philip opened his mouth , and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water ; and the eunuch said , "Look ! Water ! What prevents me from being baptized ?" 37 [And Philip said , "If you believe with all your heart , you may ." And he answered and said , "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God ."] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop ; and they both went down into the water , Philip as well as the eunuch , and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water , the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away ; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing . 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus , and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Acts 8:29-40
Commentary on Acts 8:26-40
(Read Acts 8:26-40)
Philip was directed to go to a desert. Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity to his ministers in very unlikely places. We should study to do good to those we come into company with by travelling. We should not be so shy of all strangers as some affect to be. As to those of whom we know nothing else, we know this, that they have souls. It is wisdom for men of business to redeem time for holy duties; to fill up every minute with something which will turn to a good account. In reading the word of God, we should often pause, to inquire of whom and of what the sacred writers spake; but especially our thoughts should be employed about the Redeemer. The Ethiopian was convinced by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, of the exact fulfilment of the Scripture, was made to understand the nature of the Messiah's kingdom and salvation, and desired to be numbered among the disciples of Christ. Those who seek the truth, and employ their time in searching the Scriptures, will be sure to reap advantages. The avowal of the Ethiopian must be understood as expressing simple reliance on Christ for salvation, and unreserved devotion to Him. Let us not be satisfied till we get faith, as the Ethiopian did, by diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and the teaching of the Spirit of God; let us not be satisfied till we get it fixed as a principle in our hearts. As soon as he was baptized, the Spirit of God took Philip from him, so that he saw him no more; but this tended to confirm his faith. When the inquirer after salvation becomes acquainted with Jesus and his gospel, he will go on his way rejoicing, and will fill up his station in society, and discharge his duties, from other motives, and in another manner than heretofore. Though baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, with water, it is not enough without the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Lord, grant this to every one of us; then shall we go on our way rejoicing.