Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch Quiz

Answer: An angel of the Lord.

The correct answer is an angel of the Lord told Philip to "go south to the road -- the desert road -- that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." The name of the angel is unknown as no further details are given. Incidentally, only two angels are mentioned by name in the Old Testament and the New Testament -- Michael and Gabriel.

In the vast majority of instances, Scripture refers to them as "an angel of the Lord."

Answer: Candace

The correct answer is Candace. According to notes in the NIV Study Bible, "Candace was the traditional title of the queen mother, responsible for performing the secular duties of the reigning king, who was thought to be too sacred for such activities."

Answer: Isaiah

The correct answer is Isaiah. It is not known if the Ethiopian was a convert to Judaism or was a Gentile who feared God. However, he definitely took his religious beliefs seriously as he had traveled to Jerusalem to "worship," according to Scripture.

Answer: He invited Philip to sit with him.

The correct answer is "he invited Philip to sit with him". Incidentally, notes in the NIV Study Bible indicate it was customary for people in Biblical times to read aloud. Quite a change from today. Incidentally, the Ethiopian likely had someone who was driving the chariot as he was able to read while traveling along. However, there is no mention of a driver in Scripture.

Answer: True

True. The eunuch was reading the passage from Isaiah 53:7-8. Many Christians believe the passage in question, as well as other passages in Isaiah 53, foretell the arrival of Jesus Christ. In various places in the New Testament, references are made to Old Testament Scripture foretelling the birth, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Christ, in his three years of ministry, made references to Scripture stating he was indeed the Messiah.

Answer: "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?"

The correct answer is "tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" The royal official was confused and Philip was delighted to tell him about the King of kings. Incidentally, Philip, after this episode, rose to the forefront among the Grecian Jewish disciples, replacing Stephen, who was seen as the leader of the group before his death. Stephen was the first recorded martyr in the early church.

Answer: Told him the good news about Jesus

Philip seized the opportunity to speak about the "good news" pertaining to Jesus Christ. Verse 35, in the NIV Bible, states Philip began with the very passage of Scripture the Ethiopian was reading "and told him the good news about Jesus." The word gospel is literally translated as "good news."

Answer: "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"

It seems as soon as the Ethiopian saw the water, he wanted to be baptized by Philip. Acts 8:38, in the NIV Bible, states: "And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him." According to notes in the NIV Study Bible, there are several possibilities as to where the baptism actually took place.

The possibilities are: "A brook in the valley where David of Elah (which David crossed to meet Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:40); the Wadi el Hasi just north of Gaza; water from a spring or one of the many pools in the area."

Answer: "When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing."

Scripture reports Philip was whisked away, apparently in the blink of an eye. It reminds me a bit of Elijah being taken up in a whirlwind, as per 2 Kings 2:11. Incidentally, the Ethiopian is the first Christian convert from Africa, according to Scripture.

As stated in the answer to the third question, it is not known if the Ethiopian was a convert to Judaism or if he was a Gentile who feared God. Nevertheless, it appears he may have been the first non-Jewish person to become a Christian. Acts 10 tells of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and other people in Caesarea who converted to Christianity.

Answer: Azotus

Azotus is the correct answer. Here's some interesting trivia about Azotus and Philip, as per the notes in the NIV Study Bible. In the Old Testament, the community was known as Ashdod (1 Samuel 5:1). Azotus was just under 20 miles from Caesarea and Caesarea had been rebuilt by Herod as it had an excellent harbor and served as a headquarters for the Roman procurators. "The account leaves Philip in Caesarea at this time: his next appearance appearance is 20 years later, and he is still located in the same place (Acts 21:8)," the study notes state.