“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”

–Parallel verses:
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬-‭15‬
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

The history of Christianity in Ethiopia dates back to around 4AD. The eunuch (who served the queen) that Philip encountered here is likely the first introduction to Christianity for the country of Ethiopia. Some accounts also credit two Syrian Christian brothers who arrived in Ethiopia via shipwreck. They are said to have converted the Aksumite King Ezana by healing him of illness and introducing him to Christianity. This likely happened around 330AD.

And so we find that Philip obeyed God’s call to go “into the desert” and he was ready to help this man understand the Bible. In doing so, he was a catalyst to start a major growth of Christianity in Ethiopia, so much so, that in 330AD Christianity was declared the official National religion and over 63% of Ethiopians identify as Christian today.

Believing in Jesus’ existence is not enough. The Devil does this. We must turn our hearts over to him, obey his commands, and profess our faith with our mouths. If we look at the parallel verse in Romans, we have a series of questions that prove a point. It all zeros in on being sent by God to preach the gospel. Everything comes from obeying this calling.

Jesus referenced this in the Great Commission as well: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭19‬-‭20‬) Notice the operative word, “Go”. This is a sending. We are already sent when we become his disciples. Then we draw close to God and listen to his Spirit to learn how he wants to send us out on our specific assignments throughout our lifetime. We then use our gifts as we are sent. God called me to write devotionals a few years back. This was how I was sent.

When we all see the fact that we are already called to be “on mission” to make disciples by Jesus, we then get to join him in his work and come together in unity by helping each other in our respective callings under Jesus Christ!

Lord, thank you for calling Philip to go witness to the Ethiopian Eunuch. He used his gifts to help convert a man who introduced Jesus to a nation. What will you accomplish through my simple obedience?