The Baptism of the LORD (NTA)

Acts 8:26-39
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ac 8:26-39). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

There is so much in this text that one could talk about. But I think the simplicity of the text is so great. Philip is traveling and lead by the Spirit to someone in need of his knowledge set. Philip offers to help the Eunuch with his difficult question. I hear these same questions asked by Christians today, "Who is the prophet talking about himself or someone else?" Or maybe the question is slightly different today, "Is the prophet talking about 2700 years ago, 1980 years ago, Today, or the Future?"

The Holy Spirit opens Philip's mouth to begin with this very passage and not point to some future or past, but to point to Jesus Christ our Savior. It is the good news about Jesus Christ which opens the eyes of the Eunuch. It is the Gospel of our Lord who has present before our eyes the waters of Baptism. Philip then Baptizes the Eunuch and is immediately carried away to another place by the Holy Spirit.

The Christian has a great lesson for all others to learn. He has good news of Jesus Christ. This is the same good news whether it is concerning a eunuch some 1980 years ago or 20 years from now. It is this good news which leads people to believe in Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirit that opens us to various opportunities to share this message with the world around us. It is the Holy Spirit who opens our mouth and speaks the proper words. It is the same Spirit that cries into that person's heart 'Abba, Father.' Jesus reminds his disciples, "For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."