The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-10-18
PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN.


October 29.h, 1876. Acts viii: 26-4O.
PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN.
GOLDEN TEXT-"He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved. mark xvi: Is.
READINGS FOR TIE WEEK.
S-Aots viii: 26-4O- CoaUersioa Of the Eth
OpiGR.
M-Acts tx: lis COarsrsiop of Saul
P.-Luke xviii S5-43.- Conversion Of Barti-
R-Luke xix: LILO Conrersioa of Zaccbeos.
P-Luke XIII 27-43 - Conversion Of the Thief
F-Aets xvi 25-4O.- C0nUerSion Of the j1ilOr.
S.-Aets ii: S7-47.-C Conversion Of the 3 O0O
NOTES ON THE LESSON.
The Ethiopian, VS.. 1928.
V. 26. "The angel, is in the Greek an
angel Philip seems to have been at Ssna-
ria when this command was given. GAIA is
situated on the southwestern border of Pal
estine, the last city before entering the val
ley of the Nile, abou; sixty miles from Je-
rusalem. 1t is an old and famous city, men
toned first in Gen. K: 10, and afterwards
in the history of Joshua, Sampson, Samuel,
Solomon, and other kings, Alexander the
Great, the Maecabees, the Romans, the Cru
saders, and Napoleon. It's location gave it
this prominence. Several routes led from
Jerusalem to GAIA Tie phrase switch
is desert, is to be applied, not to GAIA, but
to the way" thus designating 20 which one
of the several roads Philip was TO go. He
was directed to 90 toward the south " from
Samsria, till ne intercepted this particular
route, southwest from Jerusalem to GAIA.
The way (which is desert is supposed to
be the more southern one. Philip vas to 60
the desert road, where he was leas; likely to
expect men to whom to preach the gospel.
V. 27. Philip obeyed promptly, land
behold, even on this desolate road" 8
man of Ethiopia" literally, "a man, al
Ethiopian" Ethiopia, the Cush of the Old
Testament, lay south of Egypt, aud is sup,
posed to have included modern Naba and
Abyssinia. The term Ethiopia might posi-
bly, be applied TO a resident Jew; bui, it is
much more probable that it dsaignatss ma
tive Ethiopian, who was therefore heather
prOselyte to the Jewish religion. He helC
the Office of chamberlain and treasurer. 90
great authority, is the translation Of noun
meaning a potentate. Ethiopia was at this
time governed by dynasty Of queens, who
for many years succeeded one another, and
held the hereditary name of Csndace. Their
capital was on their fertile island Meroe.-
This Ethiopian as deVOus man, and proba-
bly, as an awakened sinner seeking more
light, had gone up to Jerusalem % worship.
It is highly probable tia: such visit would
be made at the time Of one of the great
feasts; and it is consistent with the history
to suppose, that he was st Jerusalem whilst
the persecution, that followed the death Of
Stephen was still raging.
V. %. His route, in returning to lis
country, was by GAIA, and thence through
Egypt. He travelled in a chariot, no doubt
with attendants, in style becoming the rank
of one of the highest officers of prosperous
kingdom. As be sat in his chariot, be read
the prophet Isaiah, reading aloud, according
to the common oriental custom. AS the
Greek version, called the Saptuagjnt, origi-
mated with the Jews in Esyps, aud was in
general use among all foreign Jews, except
those east of Palestine, it was no doubt from
this that the Ethiopian was reading, Il may
have been the circulation of these scriptures
lin his native land that led him to forsake the
heather religion Of his country for Jeyuss-
lem. At least he is now al inquirer after
truth, and for that reason is searching the
scriptures. From bis ready reception of the
gospel when Philip presentedit We have rea-
son to believe that ne vas awakened to feel
personal interest in religion. The excited
discussion of scripture truth at jerusalem,
between Jews and Christians, had probably
led to inquiry as to Christian interpFe-
tatiOn of scripture, and may have led to an
examination Of this passage of Isaiah. But
whatever may have been the intermediate
cause, Providence directed him to a portion
of scripture in which is presented the suffer
ings and death Of Christ as a substitute for
US, and bis ultimate triumph.
Has converaioa, vs.. 1886.
V. %. Philip had, in Obed. euce to the di
vine command, gone southwark TO the road
mentioned, not knowing the purpose of God.
This purpose ig here more fully revealed, in
the command Of the Spirit to go near and
join himself to the chariot.
V. 80. Philips running indicates the read
mess with which he obeyed the command
given. The question Philip asked, which in
the original seems to anticipate negative
answer, may have been suggested By the
manner Of the reader; or it may have been
asked merely to give an opportunity of pre-
senting to him the true Interpretation.
V. 81. The Eunach's question in reply is
an admission that he needed an interpreter.
He was not to be expected to understand
this Scripture, either because, as a stranger,
he had little light, or because of the difficulty
of the passage, which indeed puzzled their
learned men. Surprising Philip could give