FAITH
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?'”Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
Acts 8:34-37
Introduction
Acts 8 tells the story of the Ethiopian eunuch, a high official under Queen Candace, who was confused by what he was reading in the book of Isaiah. He believed the Bible and strove to follow God’s way, but he didn’t yet understand about Jesus Christ. God sent Philip to explain more of God’s truth to him and to help him take the next steps in his relationship with God.
After reading the Messianic prophecy in Isaiah 53:7-8, the Ethiopian official asked Philip, “‘I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?’
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?'”Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God'” (Acts 8:34-37).
The Ethiopian eunuch demonstrated his belief and his faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and was ready for the next step in his growing relationship with God. The Bible says that without faith we can’t please God and that the goal of our faith is salvation. God wants us to have living faith so we can grow in our relationship with Him. So, what is faith, and how do we receive it and grow in it?
Main Scriptures
Acts 8:34-37 | Isaiah 53:7-8
Questions
- What is faith and how does the Bible describe faith? (Hebrews 11:1 AMPC)
- Is there a difference between hope and faith? Explain your stand.
- Who is the source of faith? Ephesians 2:8
- What can we do if we don’t have enough faith? Mark 9:23-24, Matthew 7:7
- How do we grow in faith? Romans 10:17
- What is a dead faith? Matthew 7:21, James 2:20
- What is a living faith? James 2:17-18