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Name: Griffith Walker
Date: 03.28.2021
Section: BIBL 104-C03
New Testament Bible Study Assignment
Passage: Acts 8:26-39
Instructions:
For this assignment, you will be studying a story from the book of Acts. More specifically, you
will be looking at Philip and the Ethiopian narrative from Acts 8:26-39. You will use the template
below to complete a study of this passage. In your research, you will use Observation,
Interpretation, Correlation, and Application skills to become familiar with your reading in
Everyday Bible Study.
I. Observation
A. I have read Acts 8:26-39 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB)
and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will
find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.
o Yes
o No
B. Having read the passage in both formal and functional translation, list at least two
similarities and three differences between the way both translations cover this story. You
may list as many similarities and differences that you find as long as you meet the
minimum amount.
Similarities
Differences
Verse 39:
In the version of KJV and NLT, they both
state that the Spirit of the Lord took Philip
away once he was done baptizing the eunuch.
Verse 26:
The NLT version says "Go south* ..." with the
astricts, which means it may additionally say
"Go at noon" (Acts 8:26, NLT). The KJV
solely says, "Go south" (Acts 8:26, KJV).
Verse 31-35:
In every version, Philip asked the man if he
understood what the Bible verse he was
reading meant; this causes Philip to
evangelize the man regarding Word.
Verse 28:
KJV refers to Esaias, the prophet, whereas the
NLT uses the name, Isaiah.
Title:
The KJV uses the title "The angel of God
sends Philip to show and baptize the
Ethiopian eunuch," whereas the NLT uses
"Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch" (Acts 8:26,
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NLT)
Verse 37:
The NLT version has associate degree * next
to verse thirty-six, and verse thirty-seven is
missing. It shows verse thirty-seven at an all-
time low and says some manuscripts add
verse thirty-seven (Acts 8:36, NLT). The KJV
has verse37 (Acts 8:37, KJV).
C. Identify the essential elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: (List them)
Philip
The Ethiopian eunuch
Holy Spirit
Angel of the Lord
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
Philip was by an Angel of the Lord to go south using the desert road that runs
from Jerusalem to Gaza. Philip heads out using that road. While Philip was on the
road, he comes upon a carriage that contains an Ethiopian eunuch who is the
treasurer for the queen of Ethiopia. The Holy Spirit tells Philip that he should
walk with the carriage. As Philip is walking with the carriage, he hears the eunuch
reading aloud from the book of Isaiah. He speaks with the eunuch about the verse
and continues to preach the Word of God. The eunuch sees water and asks to be
baptized; after Philip baptizes the man and he gets taken away by the Spirit of the
Lord.
3. Story structure: (50-100 words)
Hint: Be sure to consult the section on the narrative/story structure given in the
tutorial for this assignment (found in Week 3).
Introduction:
An Angel of the Lord instructs Philip to head south, taking the desert road that
runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.
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Inciting incident:
The Holy Spirit tells Philip to escort the carriage, which contained an Ethiopian
eunuch.
Rising action:
Philip started teaching the eunuch about the Word of God.
Climax:
The eunuch asked Philip if he would baptize him. Philip agrees once the eunuch
states that he believed that Jesus was the son of God.
Falling Action:
As they pass by a body of water, Philip baptizes the eunuch. Once that happens,
Philip is taken away by the Holy Spirit.
Resolution:
Philip was directed to a place he would not have known to be to share the
teachings of Jesus Christ to someone he would not expect to find. Philip is then
whisked away by the Spirit of the Lord to a different place to continue to share his
Word.
C. List basic observations about this passage using the "Key Question" for observation.
Remember to consult the chapter "How to Ask Key Questions" (Chapter 17) and the
chapter on studying Acts (Chapter 37). This will help you be more detailed in your
answers to "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," and "how."
1. Who:
These verses are about Philip, the Ethiopian Eunuch, and God.
2. What:
God is showing Philip how to preach his Word to others that will spread across
the lands. God puts Philip in the position and places in which he is needed.
3. Where:
The verse takes place in the desert road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza.
4. When: 32 A.D.
5. Why:
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To give salvation to those who are sinners and to spread God's plan to everyone so
that they may have salvation. There is also the essential message of the difference
in believing and understanding God's plan.
6. How:
God does this by instructing Philip to follow the desert road and instructing him to
approach the carriage on the same route. The Ethiopian is reading the Bible but
tells Philip that he cannot understand the meaning without being taught.
II. Interpretation
A. Determine the author's main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words), explain what you
think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember two things. First,
this passage is made up of both action and dialogue. Thus, this passage is both showing
and telling us something. Second, words like "I," "We," "Us, and "Our" are application
words and not interpretation words. Interpretation is about "then and there" and not "here
and now." We were not there, so the passage is not about us. Our "part" in the passage is
the application or how we will respond to God's Word.
God's plan was needed to be spread to the rest of the world, to reach past
Jerusalem. God sent Philip to a place that would typically not be expected to share
the Word of God. He further instructed Philip to go towards the random carriage
that was on the same road as Philip. Throughout this instruction, Philip
approached an Ethiopian eunuch who was reading from the prophet Isaiah. He
continued to ask the man if he understood what he was reading. The man said,
"How can I unless someone instructs me?" (Acts 8:31, NLT). This shows us how
believing is not the same as understanding the Word of God. Philip teaches the
man the Word of God and saves him through baptism. This is how God's Word
should be spread through any means available.
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B. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should be able to
express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
Many quote the Bible verses without knowing the meaning behind the verses. Someone
can quote the Bible, read the Bible, and sound religious without knowing the truth. We
should seek God through scriptures and teach others of him as well.
III. Correlation
A. How does this passage from Acts fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State that type of
story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and explain why
you think this to be so? Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in
length.
Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch's story belongs within the "new creation" metanarrative
of the Bible. In 2 Corinthians, it says, "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has
become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Cor 5:17, NLT).
This quote is about accepting God into one's life and becoming a new person. This is part
of the New Testament with Acts. Throughout this story of Philip and the Ethiopian
eunuch, God shows Philip how to show people the Word of God and trust God, and he
will put you where you are meant to be. This is part of the new creation of the Bible and
is part of spreading God's plan to more people so they can accept God into their lives.
B. How does your principle from Acts 8:26-39 fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle
is the one you have written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your
principle is a true Biblical principle, it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where
is the principle discovered in this New Testament narrative found elsewhere in the
Scriptures? Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
Believing in the Bible and God is more than just stating that Jesus was born, died, and
was reincarnated. Part of being Christian is understanding God's plan and following
God's Word to live by the rules that he has laid for us. "So you see, faith by itself isn't
enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless." (James 2:17, NLT).
Throughout the verses, in James, he means that simply knowing God is not having trust
in God. Salvation is about putting faith into Christ, and this transforms us in a way in
which we make new and better decisions.
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C. How does this passage from Acts 8:26-39 reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ?
State and explain at least one way that this passage's principle identifies something of the
person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200
words) in length.
Jesus Christ himself said, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.
Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved." (Mark 2:15-16, NLT). This is what
God intended for Philip to do upon his trip through the desert road. He was instructed to
find this man who was a believer of Christ but lost. Philip then told him the Good News
and showed him God's plan. The Ethiopian eunuch then believed in Jesus Christ being
the son of God and was baptized. This means that he shall be saved and brought to
heaven with his sins forgiven. This is Philip's story that demonstrates the exact words that
Jesus Christ himself spoke and instructed unto others.
IV. Application
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and
explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of
these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
A. The question of duty
As followers of God, we are responsible for ensuring that we share the Good News of
Jesus Christ and God's plan. We are to share so others may understand and have the
knowledge to understand God's plan fully. We are expected to ensure that those who
believe are also understanding. As Jesus Christ said, "Go into all the world and preach the
Good News to everyone." (Mark2:15, NLT). Our job is to preach the Good News to
everyone, and God puts us where he needs us to spread his Word and praise him. There
might be times where God sends us to places we would never have expected, as he did
with Philip. We should follow in God's lead to where we need to be, such as Philip did.
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B. The question of character
In Acts, Philip shows excellent character when he shows how much faith he had in God.
Philip is told to go down a desert road and immediately leaves. He continues by
following God's Word at every step of the way. Further into Acts 8, he is instantly sent to
the town of Azotus, and instead of questioning God's plan, he continues to preach the
Good News to every city. Philip shows characteristics that we all should pursue to
emulate. We should all continue to have absolute faith in God, followership with God,
and continue to spread the Word of God regardless of circumstance. Throughout this
story, God shows Philip where he is needed, and Philip has the faith to continue forward
without question.
C. The question of goals
Many try to ensure that there are as many believers in the world as possible. Throughout
the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, God shows that there should be a quality of
followership. With this being the time of tiny knowing God's plan, God sends one of his
best evangelists to go unto these remote places to spread the Good News's quality
preaching. By utilizing Philip, he can ensure his Word is sent to faraway places, with a
great understanding of the Good News. With Philip's undoubting faith in God, God can
send Philip to spread to ensure that those all over the world can live for God and be
saved.
D. The question of discernment
Throughout Acts, we are shown how God sends Philip and others to preach the Good
News. "But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus
wherever they went. Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people
there about the Messiah." (Acts 8:4-5, NLT). Discernment, as it pertains to the story of
Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, means to share the Good News of God. The passage
also communicates the need for understanding; as a believer of God, the Ethiopian
eunuch went to Jerusalem to worship God. God sent Philip to find him and to teach him
and help him understand the Word of God. He was also able to accept God fully and was
able to be baptized.
