Grab Your Chance // Acts 8:26-40 (MSG)
A Baptism message by Rev. Dr. Mark Jordan, Pastor

Check out this video on YouTube about taking advantage of the opportunities right in front of you as they present themselves.
Baptism of the Lord Sunday
- What is Baptism? [The outward symbol of your inner decision to die to self so you can live for God]
- Why should I get Baptized? [Jesus said it’s necessary for righteousness in Matthew 3:15]
Acts 8:26-40 (MSG) | Later God’s angel spoke to Philip: “At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.” He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah.
The Spirit told Philip, “Climb into the chariot.” Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”
He answered, “How can I without some help?” and invited Philip into the chariot with him. The passage he was reading was this: As a sheep led to slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin since he’s been taken from the earth?
The eunuch said, “Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?” Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.
As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, “Here’s water. Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn’t mind. He had what he’d come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be.
Philip showed up in Azotus and continued north, preaching the Message in all the villages along that route until he arrived at Caesarea.
Phillip – man of action!
- He got up and went, being obedient to his call from God
- Ran alongside the chariot and heard the eunuch reading from Isaiah
- Phillip “grabbed his chance” to share Jesus.
- Phillip baptized the eunuch on the spot.
- Phillip was miraculously transported to his next assignment.
Eunuch – seeking truth.
- In charge of finances in Ethiopia
- Many were castrated to dampen their drive and make them less of a threat
- Had been to worship in Jerusalem; like many, he was seeking truth apart from the pagan worship of his time and place
- Proselytes: went fully into Judaism, including circumcision.
- God-fearers: those who embraced the teaching without going in fully
- Acknowledged his need for guidance
- Invited Phillip into the chariot with him
- Why can’t I be baptized?
- The eunuch’s acceptance of Christ gave him a title other than proselyte or God-fearer…now he was a child of God!
- God used this encounter to send the Gospel into Africa!
Be…
- A Phillip > Grab your chance and act for God
- A Eunuch > Acknowledge your need and become a child of God
- You > Let your life and life story point people to God
Reflection Questions:
- How did Pastor Mark explain Baptism? Why is it important for the Jesus follower?
- What did Pastor Mark emphasize about Phillip and his response throughout this week’s Bible lesson?
- What interests you about the eunuch and his role in God’s plan of salvation? How might some of his initiative inspire you?
- How can you act like a Phillip and/or the eunuch from today’s Bible lesson?
- What do you need to do to grab the chance to spread the Good News of Jesus?