The Baptism of the First Person From Africa

“And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.” God saw that this Ethiopian of good reputation and wide influence would give others the light he had received and would exert a strong influence for the gospel. Angels were with this seeker for light, and the Holy Spirit brought him in touch with someone who could lead him to the Savior.ULe 40.7

The Holy Spirit directed Philip to go to the Ethiopian and explain the prophecy he was reading. “Go near,” the Spirit said, “and overtake this chariot.” Philip asked the official, “‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.” The scripture he was reading was the prophecy of Isaiah relating to Christ:ULe 40.8

“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth.” Isaiah 53:7, 8.ULe 41.1

“Of whom does the prophet say this?” the official asked, “of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip, beginning at the same scripture, “preached Jesus to him.”ULe 41.2

The man’s heart was thrilled, and he was ready to accept the light. He did not make his high position an excuse for refusing the gospel. “As they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’ULe 41.3

“Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ULe 41.4

“And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.’ULe 41.5

“So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.”ULe 41.6