Acts 8:29
Verse
Context
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Then the Spirit said unto Philip - This holy man having obeyed the first direction he received from God, and gone southward without knowing the reason why, it was requisite that he should now be informed of the object of his mission: the Spirit said unto him, go near, and join thyself, etc. The angel who had given him the first direction had departed; and the influence of the Holy Spirit now completed the information. It is likely that what the Spirit did in this case was by a strong impression on his mind, which left him no doubt of its being from God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
the Spirit said--by an unmistakable voice within, as in Act 10:19; Act 16:6-7. go near and join this chariot--This would reveal to Philip the hitherto unknown object of his journey, and encourage him to expect something.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And Philip ran thither to him,.... Being very ready to obey the divine order, and hoping he might be an instrument of doing some good, which might issue in the glory of God, and the welfare of men: and heard him read the prophet Esaias; that is, "the Book of Isaiah the Prophet"; as before; and so the Ethiopic and Arabic versions read here, as there: he read it out, with a clear and distinct voice, so that Philip could hear him; and this he did, partly through reverence to the word of God, and partly to fix his attention to it the more, that he might the better understand and remember it, and also for delight and pleasure: it is very likely, that it was the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew tongue in which he was reading, and which language he might understand, though he might be at a loss about the sense of the prophet: and said, understandest thou what thou readest? meaning not the language, but the sense; for overhearing him, he perceived it was a prophecy in Isaiah he was reading; which was not so easy to be understood as laws and precepts are, which command this, and forbid that; whereas prophecies were more abstruse, and regarded things to come.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
8:29 The Holy Spirit guides the servants of God in where, when, and what to preach, teach, or do (9:15; 10:19-20; 11:12; 16:6; 1 Cor 2:13; 1 Pet 1:12).
Acts 8:29
Philip and the Ethiopian
28and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet.29The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Revival
By Leonard Ravenhill12K1:17:41Revival1KI 17:11KI 17:13ISA 6:5ACT 8:29ROM 8:27In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Isaiah chapter 6 and highlights three key words: woe, love, and go. The first word, woe, represents confession and recognizing our own sinfulness. The second word, love, represents the cleansing and forgiveness that comes from God. The third word, go, represents the commissioning of believers to share the message of God with the world. The preacher emphasizes the need for vision and passion in the Church today, and encourages believers to be spiritually minded and actively engaged in bringing revival and blessing to others.
A Word From the Lord
By Jim Cymbala5.1K21:18Word Of The LordISA 53:7MAT 6:33ACT 8:26ACT 8:29In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being obedient to God's promptings, even when they don't make sense or seem logical. He uses the example of Philip, who was instructed by an angel to leave a successful revival in Samaria and go to a desert road. Philip obeyed and encountered an Ethiopian eunuch who needed guidance in understanding the scriptures. The preacher highlights that God's guidance may come in various ways, and it is crucial to discern and follow His leading, even if it means leaving behind a comfortable or successful situation. The sermon also emphasizes the role of ordinary individuals, like Ananias, in carrying out God's plans and being obedient to His call.
(Biographies) D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
By John Piper4.4K1:20:06ACT 8:29In this sermon transcript, the speaker discusses Martin Lloyd-Jones and his views on caution and warnings in the church. Lloyd-Jones believed that lengthy and forceful cautions can have a negative effect on ordinary people, causing them to be fearful and hesitant in their faith. The speaker also highlights Lloyd-Jones' growing disillusionment with the effectiveness of the church, emphasizing the need for a balance between caution and excitement in preaching. The transcript includes testimonies of people who were deeply impacted by Lloyd-Jones' preaching, describing a sense of supernatural power in his services.
Power of True Religion: Power Over Us
By J. Glyn Owen1.5K55:24True ReligionISA 1:11ACT 8:29ACT 15:28ACT 16:7HEB 12:5In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of true religion and the power it holds. He discusses the three ways in which the power of true religion manifests itself: the power of God over us, the power of God in us, and the power of God through us. The speaker urges believers to not only believe in God but to also experience the power of God in their lives and exemplify it to the world. He encourages listeners to remove anything in their lives that hinders the expression of God's power in salvation.
Do You Understand Your Situation
By Robin McKeown90327:06SituationJER 29:13LUK 5:31LUK 7:34ACT 8:26ACT 8:29ROM 3:231TI 1:15In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that the message of the Gospel is for everyone, regardless of their race, religious background, or geographic location. He highlights three remarkable conversions from the book of Acts, which represent the three lines of the Sons of Noah, to illustrate God's reach to the entire world. The preacher emphasizes the importance of being saved and shares his personal experience of needing the Savior. He also discusses the role of a servant of God in carrying the Gospel to people and encourages the audience to seek God with all their hearts.
Two Reasons for Spiritual Error
By Charles Leiter65851:54ACT 8:29ACT 13:2ACT 16:6This sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing the Scriptures and experiencing the power of God in our lives. It highlights the need for both Word and Spirit in our spiritual walk, using examples from the Bible and personal experiences to illustrate how error in understanding Scripture can result from a lack of knowing the power of God. The speaker encourages testing all experiences and guidance by the Scriptures to avoid falling into spiritual error.
The Conditions of Success
By R.A. Torrey0Soul WinningConditions for SuccessLUK 19:10JHN 12:32ACT 1:8ACT 8:29ROM 10:17GAL 2:20GAL 5:221TI 1:152TI 2:211PE 1:23R.A. Torrey emphasizes that the conditions for success in personal work and soul-saving begin with a personal, experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior. He outlines the necessity of a clean life, absolute surrender to God, and a deep realization of the lost condition of those outside of Christ. Love, perseverance, practical knowledge of the Bible, prayer, and the baptism with the Holy Spirit are also essential for effective soul-winning. Torrey stresses that true success in personal work comes from a heart transformed by Christ and a life dedicated to His service.
A Flexible Spirit to Know God's Will.
By Watchman Nee0Discernment of God's WillFlexibility in SpiritJHN 3:1ACT 8:29Watchman Nee emphasizes the necessity of having a flexible spirit to discern and fulfill God's will, asserting that a rigid spirit hinders the movement of the Holy Spirit and leads to spiritual stagnation. He illustrates that just as Philip was guided by the Spirit, believers must remain sensitive and adaptable to God's leading, responding to the needs of others with an open spirit. Nee warns that a closed spirit can prevent the transmission of spiritual truth and that one must maintain a high spiritual standard to avoid descending into failure. He stresses the importance of cooperation between the spirit and the mind, as neglecting this relationship can lead to spiritual weakness and misinterpretation of God's messages. Ultimately, he calls for believers to live at the highest spiritual level they have attained to experience God's power fully.
Our Only Hope - a Mighty Move of God's Spirit
By Shane Idleman0PSA 119:105JHN 16:13ACT 1:8ACT 3:19ACT 8:29ROM 8:262CO 3:6EPH 5:18JAS 4:8Shane Idleman emphasizes the urgent need for revival and the crucial role of the Holy Spirit in today's society, as the world drifts further from God. He warns against falling into the traps of dead formality or wild fanaticism, stressing the importance of pursuing scriptural holiness filled with faith, the Holy Spirit, wisdom, and a sound mind. Idleman shares his personal testimony of transformation through repentance and complete trust in Christ, highlighting the power of the Holy Spirit to radically change lives and ignite a hunger for God.
(Finding God's Will) 3. Guidance Through the Inner Witness
By Zac Poonen0MAT 5:17LUK 4:1ACT 8:29ROM 8:6ROM 12:2EPH 5:17COL 3:151JN 2:20Zac Poonen emphasizes that God rarely guides us in spectacular ways, but rather through the Holy Spirit in this New Testament age. Believers are encouraged to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to listen to the inner pressure and peace that the Spirit brings. It is important to examine our motives and ensure they align with God's will, using tools like a 'balance sheet' to evaluate decisions. The inner witness of the Holy Spirit is highly valued as God's primary means of guidance, surpassing a mere moral code, as believers are called to live by the life of Christ within them.
The Revival Harvest Is Always Ripe Among Lost Sinners
By John R. Rice0GEN 50:20MAT 9:35LUK 7:37LUK 8:43LUK 13:4LUK 19:1JHN 4:35ACT 8:29ACT 10:1HEB 11:7John R. Rice preaches about the readiness of sinners to hear the gospel, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the hunger in people's hearts for salvation. Using the example of Jesus' compassion for the multitudes, he highlights how sinners are ripe for the harvest, longing for peace, forgiveness, and salvation. Through various Bible illustrations like Cornelius, the Ethiopian Eunuch, Zacchaeus, the sinful woman, and the woman with an issue of blood, he demonstrates how hungry sinners are eager to accept the good news when presented with love and boldness. The sermon also delves into fundamental reasons why sinners can be won to Christ, including the universal realization of God, the failure of the world to satisfy, the wages of sin, the loss of loved ones, the burning of conscience, and the fear of death as powerful influences aiding the gospel.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Then the Spirit said unto Philip - This holy man having obeyed the first direction he received from God, and gone southward without knowing the reason why, it was requisite that he should now be informed of the object of his mission: the Spirit said unto him, go near, and join thyself, etc. The angel who had given him the first direction had departed; and the influence of the Holy Spirit now completed the information. It is likely that what the Spirit did in this case was by a strong impression on his mind, which left him no doubt of its being from God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
the Spirit said--by an unmistakable voice within, as in Act 10:19; Act 16:6-7. go near and join this chariot--This would reveal to Philip the hitherto unknown object of his journey, and encourage him to expect something.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And Philip ran thither to him,.... Being very ready to obey the divine order, and hoping he might be an instrument of doing some good, which might issue in the glory of God, and the welfare of men: and heard him read the prophet Esaias; that is, "the Book of Isaiah the Prophet"; as before; and so the Ethiopic and Arabic versions read here, as there: he read it out, with a clear and distinct voice, so that Philip could hear him; and this he did, partly through reverence to the word of God, and partly to fix his attention to it the more, that he might the better understand and remember it, and also for delight and pleasure: it is very likely, that it was the Book of Isaiah in the Hebrew tongue in which he was reading, and which language he might understand, though he might be at a loss about the sense of the prophet: and said, understandest thou what thou readest? meaning not the language, but the sense; for overhearing him, he perceived it was a prophecy in Isaiah he was reading; which was not so easy to be understood as laws and precepts are, which command this, and forbid that; whereas prophecies were more abstruse, and regarded things to come.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
8:29 The Holy Spirit guides the servants of God in where, when, and what to preach, teach, or do (9:15; 10:19-20; 11:12; 16:6; 1 Cor 2:13; 1 Pet 1:12).