Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

D. A Student1. the eunuch is in fact a student of the word of God, a man in authority with enough humility toknow he has more questions than answers and who is ready to sit at Philip’s feet and kneel at Christ’s2. in the humble sacrifice of Jesus, the eunuch sees an example and motivation for his ownsubjection to the gospel call3. at some point, Philip must have mentioned the necessity of baptism to him, because that is theeunuch’s first question when the lesson concludesa. the eunuch is not told to recite a sinner’s prayer or to petition the church of his choice formembership, nor to wait until the first of the month, but is told, “If you believe with all your heart, youmay” be baptized into Christb. and he and Philip went down into the water and the latter submerged the former for theforgiveness of his sins, the same way it had been happening ever since Pentecost and still happens todayII. Some ApplicationsA. Eunuchs1. think back to the three classes of eunuchs that Jesus acknowledged, but in context now (Matthew19:3-12)a. some are eunuchs from the womb, born with a physical deformityb. others were made eunuchs by mutilation so that they could be trusted in certain jobsc. but still others would make themselves figurative, virtual eunuchs for the sake of thekingdom2. the Ethiopian eunuch was just an African treasurer, but clearly he was willing to do what wasnecessary for the sake of the kingdom and his place in ita. in Matthew 19, Jesus has in mind the sad fact that some people end up with no right toremarry after a divorce because of the circumstances–in order to remain right with God, they have noother option but to remain celibate, virtual eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom and their own salvationb. either they have been put away for committing adultery or their marriage has been sunderedfor some cause short of sexual immorality and they find themselves without authority just to remarry atwillc. few things are as disappointing as the dissolution of a marriage, but even though state lawallows for unlimited remarriage, the will of God does notd. in fact, unauthorized remarriages are tantamount to adultery themselves3. the hard, but far from hopeless, choice that stands is to become a eunuch for the kingdom, for todo otherwise would be sin when it is not your spouse’s adultery that sundered the doomed uniona. the union we asked God to make is not to be sundered just because we get bored with it(Romans 7:1-4)b. celibacy is the only option for two spouses who dissolve their union through some form ofpermanent separation or unscriptural divorce (First Corinthians 7:1-11)B. Authority1. the Ethiopian eunuch was a responsible man in a responsible position of authority; he was thetreasurer for a queen and had opportunity, but not inclination to steal2. not all treasurers are so honest (John 12:1-6)a. of course, that is nothing compared to what Judas did later, selling Jesus out to his enemiesfor 30 pieces of silverb. it is said that power corrupts and surely part of that corruption is the tendency for authority togo to one’s head, making him ambitious and haughty (Colossians 3:22-4:1)3. perhaps it is the pride that often results from being in authority that kept so many such peoplefrom obeying the gospel in the beginning and the built-in humility of poverty and servitude that renderedso many others of the lower classes so hungry for the hope of righteousness (First Corinthians 1:26-31)a. Jesus left his throne in heaven to learn submission on Earth as God’s son; whatever positionof authority we occupy must be put in perspective against his as King of kings and Lord of lordsb. you may be the dad at home, the boss at work, the king of the playground or just feel like youare the captain of your own ship, but you won’t be right with God until you learn submission (Hebrews2:9-13, 5:5-9)108! Jeff S. Smith