Christian Stories - Bible Study Online

We have now reached a point from within the account, where we learn that Philip was instructed by one of God's angels.

The angel had told him to leave from the city of Samaria and proceed towards a Philistine city, which was southwest of Jerusalem, located next to the Mediterranean Sea.

The name of this city is called "Gaza" and on his way there, Philip meets an Ethiopian eunuch official who himself was returning from a religious pilgrimage in Jerusalem.

It would seem that this Ethiopian official belonged to the Ethiopia that was found southward of Jerusalem, which was located in land of Africa. I point this out, being that there was another place known as Ethiopia during this time as well, and it was located eastward of Canaan that was found in the land of Arabia.

The scriptures have now informed us that Philip decides to join the eunuch's caravan. This is a bold move on the part of Philip, being that this Ethiopian eunuch was a high ranking official within the Ethiopian land.

For the scriptures had let it to be known, that he held a position of great authority under, Candace the Ethiopian queen.Because of this, we would assume that the eunuch was traveling with a heavenly guarded caravan of some sort, being that the eunuch held a high position and was transporting treasure that belonged to the Ethiopian royal family.

The Ethiopian official would show Philip some favor and allowed him to join his caravan. At this time, Philip notices that the Ethiopian official is reading a passage from God's word. Remember, the eunuch had just left a religious pilgrimage in Jerusalem.

So Philip decides to ask the Ethiopian official if he understands the text that he's reading? The eunuch answers Philip, by letting him know that it's hard for him to understand the passage, unless someone could help guide and explain it to him, in some kind of way.

It's at this point, Philip begins to preach unto him the teachings of Jesus. Starting from the same scripture that the eunuch was reading when he greeted him? Which was the seventh and eight verse that's found in the book of Isaiah, chapter 53:

"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

"By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? for he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken." (Isaiah 53: 7-8)

Shortly after Philip had finished explaining the passage -- the Ethiopian official is now a believer and makes the decision to get baptized.

So Philip baptizes him and shortly after, the eunuch decides to continue his journey back home to Ethiopia, while rejoicing and with great joy in his heart. As for Philip? He decides to depart from the Ethiopian official after he had helped him with the Word of God and his baptism.

What happens next leads us to a somewhat puzzling event? Right after Philip had left the eunuch, we are now introduced to perhaps, a miraculous event that might have taken place?

It deals with the way that Philip had departed from the Ethiopian official and his caravan? For, it would leave one to wonder -- "what just happened?"

"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." (Acts 8: 39-40)

Just as the passage informs us, Philip was later found at a Philistine city called -- Azotus or Ashdod; which was about thirty miles from the place known as "Gaza."

The scriptures leads us to believe that the Spirit of the Lord might have had miraculously dropped him off or transported him there within that particular city.

Next, we assume that Philip then maybe boarded a ship and went by sea, back into his own country. The Bible states that he preached in all the cities until he came to Caesarea, where he finally settles.

We also find, that later on in (Acts 21:8) he is recorded to have helped provide a place to stay for Paul the Apostle for a few days.

This is where we find out that Philip had four unmarried maiden daughters who were all prophetesses.

Note: Philip four daughters are the last women out of five separate Biblical accounts in the Bible who are mentioned to have had the gift of prophesy.

1) Philip & Simon Magus the Sorcerer

2) Peter & John and Simon Magnus the Sorcerer

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