A Journey of Discovery and FaithA Journey of Discovery and Faith

from Ethiopia to Jerusalemfrom Ethiopia to Jerusalemfrom Jerusalem to Gazafrom Jerusalem to Gazaand from Gaza to Jesusand from Gaza to Jesus

A chance encounter between two men who met A chance encounter between two men who met along the road leading from Jerusalem to Gazaalong the road leading from Jerusalem to Gazain the year 33 ADin the year 33 AD

one man was a high ranking official from the capitol of Ethiopia and the other man was a disciple of Jesus from the city of Jerusalem

Their chance encounter is recorded in the New Testament Book of the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 8

Philip and the Ethiopian Philip and the Ethiopian EunuchEunuch

In the ancient world Ethiopia was In the ancient world Ethiopia was a vast and wealthy empire with a vast and wealthy empire with trade routes from India to Egypttrade routes from India to Egypt

and beyondand beyond

Why did an Ethiopian eunuch travel to Jerusalem?

Although he was the chief financial officer for Ethiopia, he didn’t come on state business.

He came as a pilgrim to worship at the temple in Jerusalem.

“Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings bear gifts to you. Let bronze be brought from Egypt; let Ethiopia hasten to stretch out her hands to God.” - Psalm 68:29,31

“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” - Isaiah 2:2-3

Since the Ethiopian minister was a foreigner, and not a covenanted member of Israel, he was not permitted inside the Temple walls. He remained an outsider in the Court of the Gentiles.

The Ethiopian treasurer bought a Bible scroll of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah so he could learn more about the God whom the people of Israel worshiped.

Philip, a Jewish Christian believer, hears an angel tell him to rise and take the road to Gaza.

The Road from Jerusalem to GazaThe Road from Jerusalem to Gazawas a major highwaywas a major highway

Philip rose and walked along the road to Gaza. He saw an Ethiopian minister of the queen, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. - Acts 8

And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet. - Acts 8

Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless some one guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. - Acts 8

Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this: “As a sheep led to the slaughter or a lamb before its shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken up from the earth.” And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, pray, does the prophet say this, about himself or about some one else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus. - Acts 8

As they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What is to

prevent my being baptized?”

And Philip said, “If you believe with all of your heart, you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

They both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught up Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

A Journey of Discovery and FaithA Journey of Discovery and Faith

Who is Jesus of Nazareth?Who is Jesus of Nazareth?

What does he offer to those who What does he offer to those who accept him as Lord and Saviour?accept him as Lord and Saviour?