Daily EncouragementSample

This is the lovely conclusion to Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian. As the evangelist disappears from the scene, the eunuch goes on his way rejoicing.

The chief reason for his rejoicing is that he has found the Lord - or rather, he has been found by him. It is faith in the Lord and the experience of his salvation which fills the Ethiopian’s heart with joy.

There are other reasons for his joy as well. He is joyful because he can now see how the hand of God has been working in his life.

He has been prepared by God to receive the gospel through his experience of the Jewish faith as a proselyte or God-fearer.

There was the preacher whom God sent to him. He opened the Scriptures and proclaimed the gospel to him - “Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus” (Acts 8:35). The preacher then heard his confession of faith and baptized him.

There was the parting with Philip - sudden and sad in a way. Yet it was not devastating, because the man’s faith is not in Philip but in Philip’s Lord, who will keep him “strong to the end” (1 Cor. 1:8-9).

Let us go on our way rejoicing, as this Ethiopian brother does!