Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

After preaching Christ in the city of Samaria, Philip receives an order from an angel to go south, down the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza. There he meets an Ethiopian, a eunuch, an official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. The man had come to Jerusalem to worship, and now he is heading home, sitting in his chariot, reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit says to Philip: “Go near and join this chariot.” — “Do you understand what you are reading?” — “How can I, unless someone guides me?” The passage speaks of one who was “led as a sheep to the slaughter.” Starting from that text, Philip tells him the good news about Jesus. When they come to some water, the eunuch asks: “What prevents me from being baptized?” Philip baptizes him; then the Spirit of the Lord carries Philip away, and the eunuch goes on his way rejoicing.