Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

The Ethiopian Eunucha character study by Jeff S. SmithIntroductionIn this character study, we do not even know the name of the character we are studying. He is known toBible students simply as “the Ethiopian eunuch” and the story of his conversion to Christ plays out in thelife of Philip the evangelist and in the eighth chapter of Luke’s history of the acts of the apostles.Although we tend to focus more on the evangelistic fervor of Philip when studying this chapter, it mightalso be profitable to consider the humble faith of the eunuch, for his is the story of a man who found Jesusin the pages of the prophets, in the teaching of a minister of the gospel, and in the waters of baptism.DiscussionI. The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40)A. A Eunuch1. Jesus said, “there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there areeunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs forthe kingdom of heaven’s sake” (Matthew 19:12)2. a eunuch is literally an emasculated man and most often, that condition was associated withpagan worship; Deuteronomy 23:1 forbade anyone “emasculated by crushing or mutilation” from enteringthe assembly of the Lorda. in Oriental society, the wealthy and powerful would often employ men to oversee theirharems of women, and being distrustful, they insisted on emasculating these men to prevent theirfornicating with the members of the haremb. in time, the word eunuch became more synonymous with the office of chamberlain, so that aeunuch was just as likely to be employed elsewhere in royal households than the bedroom3. it is unknown exactly how the word eunuch applies to the man from Ethiopia, but Isaiah, whomthis eunuch was reading, later prophesied that eunuchs would not always be personas non grata (Isaiah56:3-5)B. Man in Authority1. the eunuch served in the household of Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, but Candace was nomore a proper name than was Pharaoh in Egypt or King in Israel2. this eunuch was her treasurer in what was probably the region of Meroe, a responsible man in aresponsible position3. a daily experience with authority can be very helpful in understanding submission to Christ andsubjection to the New Testament, but it can also puff up the one in authority so that he resists humblinghimself when the time comes to call Jesus “Lord” and submit to baptism for the forgiveness of sinsa. remember the Roman centurion who approached Jesus (Matthew 8:5-12)b. but for every humble centurion, there are countless rulers who believed but would notconfess lest they be expelled from the synagogue (cf. John 12:42), there are Herod and Agrippa whom thegospel embarrassed and the philosophers who recoiled at the simplicity of the covenant (cf. Acts 17:32)4. can you, as an authority in your family, your workplace, your community, or just in your ownlife, humble yourself and turn over command to the Lord, or must your will be done?C. Piety1. we do not see evidence of the eunuch’s piety in some good deed being done to the poor or by hisundergoing persecution or by his teaching in the open square2. instead, we learn that he had made a pilgrimage from northern Africa into Jerusalem to worshipthere at the temple, and on the return trip, we find him reading from the prophet Isaiah on a scroll in hischariot3. don’t underestimate the importance of these two quiet pursuits, for their combination is what ledthe eunuch to find an answer in his quest for truth–worship and Bible reading4. it is amazing how many people claim to be on a quest of truth, wisdom and understanding, whoclaim to be all about the spirit and heaven, but who make little time and lofty excuses when it comes toworship and Bible readingCharacter Studies! 107