Acts 8:26-40 KJV
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Can you count the number of books you have read over a lifetime? I doubt if I could successfully. However if the cover of the book the same, I might remember it, before I would remember the story line. What was it like to get hold of a manuscript in Philip day, paper was not processed as it is today and neither were scrolls or books processed with a printing press, much less a computer. Everything handwritten and down over and over by scribes and others that were in the publishing business. Here is an Ethiopian riding in a chariot, I can not imagine the road to smooth, but no doubt better then walking the long distance back to Ethiopia. Ethiopian was on his way home coming from Jerusalem, when an angel of the Lord told Philip to go toward Gaza. On that road he sees a chariot and the Spirit of God says to go up to the chariot and connect with it. The Ethiopian was a man of power under the authority of the Queen of Candance. He is reading from the book Isaiah the prophet when Philip approaches.

Ever picked up a difficult book to understand but with help you were able to understand the author, that was the book of Isaiah for the Ethiopian. He was reading chapter 53 talking about the lamb being lead to the slaughter. He ask Philip in his own understanding of what he was reading who was the author talking of, himself or another. Philip began to explain to him about who Isaiah was talking about had taken place, his name was Jesus. They came to a body of water and the Ethiopian wanted to know what was preventing him from being baptized. Philip told him to believe with his heart, and the Ethiopian he believe Jesus was the Son of God. The Chariot was stopped and Philip got out and baptized the man. Philip then left by God's Spirit and was then found later in a little town called Arotus. Ethiopian went down the road rejoicing. Ethiopian saw Philip no more.

Several things to ask yourself how important was old time prophesy from the prophets in this story? Actually very important, the time of Christ coming much later and perhaps even explained it was about the one to come and had come. That he was crucified for you and I. The message simple but enough to win one man heart for the Lord. The Ethiopian would return to his own country. Philip would not be going too. The message of Christ spoken by the prophets clear now to the Ethiopian. No doubt he understand that Isaiah spoke of Israel own exile to come as well as the Messiah crucifixion and resurrection. Message by the Spirit of God, understood by all this was speaking of Jesus, but also Israel. This passage speaking of the hope for Israel.

The blinders come on if we only see Israel as a lamb, because by no means where they purified by anything but faith in God and not all believed. Is it not the same for us as believers. We are saved by faith and not by works. Christ saved by his works or by who he was as a the Son of God? Only saved by God not man, saved because he rose from the grave and did not remain. Better to please God then man. Christ sin was not against God but man, the Priest sin was against man. He was protecting the temple. Justification if someone breaks into your home and you shoot him, are you not defending your home. Jesus and the priest son was defending the temple as being a house of worship of God, they were in submission to live for God and to protect the temple. Under man's laws they were not protecting the temple but destroy property of the money changers with the turning of the tables and one murder. Jesus was seen as a rebel someone to destroy and not allow to remain because it caused trouble with the government. Israel was told to leave their homes, they were told to get ready for travel and to go without tears by the prophet who spoke the word of God to the people going into exile at the time of Isaiah.

What are we purfied by: the word of God, by the blood of the Lamb, and by righteousness by faith in Christ Jesus. Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness. Believers baptism is what: a testimony of our faith, not only a testimony, but act of obedience to Christ, a symbol of our sins being buried with Christ and having a new life with Christ through the purification from our sins and through his resurrection giving us a new life with him. Baptized in the knowledge of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Ethiopian believed Jesus was the Son of God, and he witness the spirit taking Philip away as he(ethiopian rejoiced and went to Ethiopia.

Why was not Israel the sacrificial lamb? Israel exile was the punishment for disobedience to God, and not to the world. Israel was following after the world going into the world in exile not understanding what it meant to be in Babylon. To live in sin city and not in obedience to God. They had forgotten the old ways and why to follow God's word in obedience. Obeying God is a sign we honor God over other things in our life, The first act of faith is confession of faith followed by baptism. Ethiopian did just that confessed he believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Then he was baptized. Simple steps but easily understood by all that come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. To say God I have sinned, I desire to follow you is the beginning point of transformation in Christ Jesus. Our desire to follow God's word is important part of faith. We know longer exiled from God. We are not exiled as Israel was. They believed but chose the ways of the world over God. Yet believers of Israel paid the consequences of sin of Israel as well. The remnant no longer walked in Israel, but in the land longing for the kingdom of God. A symbol of how as believers we long for the kingdom of God in heaven, and yet we live in the world as a light to the goodness and grace of God, until our time is finish, or Christ returns, knowing the promise of eternal life is for all that believe and walk in the pathway of Christ.

Pray this prayer with me if you want to be saved, or if you just want to be reminded of the work you done already in faith.

Dear Heavenly Father, I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I know I am sinner and Christ died for me and rose again to newest of life. and I want to follow your word and Spirit. As a believer I receive your Spirit into my heart to teach me how to live for you. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

If you prayed this with me you are now saved, find a church, get baptized, and walk in faith in Christ Jesus.

Continual Scripture Study: 2 Peter 3:1-2 KJV
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: