Acts 8:26-40 : Easy-to-Read Version
Philip Teaches a Man from Ethiopia
26An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip.* The angel said, "Get ready and go south. Go to the road that leads down to Gaza from Jerusalem--the road that goes through the desert." 27So Philip got ready and went. On the road he saw a man from Ethiopia. This man was a eunuch.* He was an important officer in the service of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. He was responsible for taking care of all her money. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship. 28Now he was on his way home. He was sitting in his chariot* and reading from the book of Isaiah, the prophet.* 29The Spirit* said to Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." 30So Philip went toward the chariot, and he heard the man reading. He was reading from Isaiah, the prophet. Philip said to him, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31The man said, "How can I understand? I need some person to explain it to me!" Then he invited Philip to climb in and sit with him. 32The part of Scripture* that he was reading was this: "He was like a sheep when it is taken to be killed. He was like a lamb that makes no sound when someone cuts off its wool. He said nothing. 33He was shamed, and all his rights were taken away. His life on earth was ended. There will be no story about his family (descendants)." Isaiah 53:7-8
34The officer said to Philip, "Please, tell me, who is the prophet* talking about? Is he talking about himself or about someone else?" 35Philip began to speak. He started with this same Scripture and told the man the Good News* about Jesus. 36While they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The officer said, "Look! Here is water! What is stopping me from being baptized*?" 37* 38Then the officer commanded the chariot to stop. Both Philip and the officer went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39When they came up out of the water, the Spirit* of the Lord took Philip away; the officer never saw him again. The officer continued on his way home. He was very happy. 40But Philip appeared in a city called Azotus. He was going to the city of Caesarea. He told people the Good News* in all the towns on the way from Azotus to Caesarea.
Philip Not the apostle named Philip. eunuch Man whose testicles have been removed. Rulers often gave such men important positions. chariot Something like a wagon pulled by horses. prophet A person that spoke for God. Sometimes prophets told about things that would happen in the future. Spirit, Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world. Scripture A part of the Holy Writings--the Old Testament. Good News, message The news that God has made a way for people to have their sins forgiven and live with him forever. baptized A Greek word meaning to be immersed, dipped, or buried briefly under water. Verse 37 Some late copies of Acts add verse 37: "Philip answered, 'If you believe with all your heart, you can.' The officer said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'"