The Royal Official

When heavy persecution broke out in Jerusalem after the stoning of Stephen, Philip the evangelist traveled to the city of Samaria where he proclaimed the Messiah and baptized many. Philip’s next assignment from the Lord was a divine appointment on a road south of Jerusalem through the wilderness. There Philip came upon the Secretary of the Treasury for the Candace (Queen) of Ethiopia who was seeking God through worship and Scripture. This royal official quickly responded in faith to the good news about Jesus, was baptized, and returned to Ethiopia with joy.

Read Acts 8:26-40 and then consider the following:

1. What are the various ways the man on the road to Gaza is described? What type of people in your context might be similar in position or influence?
2. How does the Lord prepare Philip for this evangelistic encounter? How does the Lord prepare the royal official?
3. Normally, Philip would have no opportunity to share the gospel with a high-ranking foreign dignitary. Yet the Lord arranged it. How does the Lord use international travel to accomplish his purposes?
4. In the second century, Irenaeus wrote that the Ethiopian eunuch became a missionary to the court of the Candace. Pray that foreign dignitaries who travel to your country will meet obedient Christians and respond to the good news about Jesus.