2. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40

3. Introduction: Today we will learn about the importance and symbolism of baptism, by way of an encounter between Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch.

4. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 (NIV) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” (Isaiah 53:7-8)

5. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 (NIV) The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

6. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 God puts people, places, and events together to serve His purposes.

7. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 The Right Person Philip was ________ and __________ to the Spirit’s leading. sensitive submissive

8. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 The Right Person Philip left a great revival taking place in Samaria to heed the specific call of God on his life. (Sometimes God calls us to do things that don’t make sense until after we are obedient.)

9. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 The Right Person Acts 8:4-8, 12 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city… But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

10. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 The Right Place Acts 8:26-29 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Candace (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

11. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 The Right Response Philip went ______ as where he was told by the Spirit. (All that is required of us is simple obedience.) exactly

12. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 The Right Response Acts 8:30-31 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

13. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 The Right Response Philip didn’t _______. He ran up to the chariot! God rewarded him with a “divine appointment.” hesitate

14. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 The Right Event Acts 8:36-38 As they traveled along the road they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.

15. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 What does baptism symbolize? Identification with Jesus’ ______ and ___________ Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. deathresurrection

16. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 What does baptism symbolize? __________ and ________ from sin 1 Peter 3:21 …and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, repentancecleansing

17. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 The Right Person Rev. John Harper (pictured with his daughter Nana)

18. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 The Right Place RMS Titanic (on his way to a preaching opportunity in Chicago)

19. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 The Right Time April 14, 1912

20. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 While the life boats were being filled, Rev. John Harper kissed his daughter goodbye, assured her that they would see each other again in the Lord’s presence, and then called out, “Women, Children and Unsaved first!”

21. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 As the ship sank, Harper joined others who jumped into the icy water with his life vest on. He swam from one person to the next asking if they knew Jesus. One man told him no, so Harper took off his life vest and gave it to the unbeliever saying, “You need this more than I do!”

22. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 Rev. John Harper may have lost his life that night, but not before sharing the saving news of Jesus with all those with ears to hear that night as they bobbed up and down in the frigid North Atlantic.

23. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 A few years later at a meeting of survivors of the Titanic, the final man who encountered Rev. John Harper told the group that he had been saved twice that night. He said, “Alone in the night with two miles of water under me, I believed. I am John Harper’s last convert.”

24. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 Are you saved and baptized? Would you like to be? Please speak with Pastor Scott if you would like to pray to saved or identify with Jesus as His follower through baptism.

25. “An Impromptu Baptism” Acts 8:26-40 For those who already are saved and baptized, will you, like Philip and Rev. John Harper, be the right person, in the right place, at the right time so that others may know and receive the saving grace of our Lord Jesus?

26. See You Next Sunday!