Messiah Baptist Church of Baesa, Inc.

Wednesday Bible Study

www.messiahbc.com

September 17, 2025

BIBLE STUDY: “Regardless of Race, Gender, and Age. all are same in the body of Christ” Lesson 12: Part 1

I – Regardless of Race, all are same in the Body of Christ 

The man named Philip who was called the evangelist (Acts 21:8) not the Apostle, which is one of the seven chosen men to serve in the early church (Acts 6:5), served as God’s evangelist to the Samaritans (Acts 8:5). Then after evangelist Philip preached to the Samaritans, God sent him to Gaza to be God’s special evangelist to one man. Who is that man?_ (Acts 8:27)

Acts 8:27 "And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of ______, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship."

Acts 8:27 "And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship”.

Ethiopia in that day was a large kingdom located south of Egypt. To the Greeks and Romans, it represented the outer limits of the known world. Its kings were believed to be incarnations of the sun god, and the everyday affairs of government were held to be beneath them. Real power lay with the queen mothers, known by the hereditary title Candace (Which is not a proper name, but an official title, like Pharaoh or Caesar)     

     The word “Ethiopia” in Greek is “Aithiopos” from “aithomai” to burn, and “ops” face. It means “burnt-face”. It indicates that the people from this African country of Ethiopia were dark-faced or were having skin of a dark color.

     While not all Ethiopians were black, the majority were and most Bible scholars agree that the Ethiopian Eunuch was probably a black man.  This, then, would be the first account of a black man coming to Christ, for we know that the gospel is for all races of men without distinction."

     Jeremiah asked a question:

Jeremiah 13:23 “Can the ________ change his _____, or the ________ his _____? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.”

Jeremiah 13:23 “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.”

     This is a collection of prophecies and laments from the prophet Jeremiah, who lived during the final years of the kingdom of Judah before its fall to Babylon in 586 BC.

     This a powerful question posed by the prophet Jeremiah, highlighting the inability of the people of Judah to change their ways and do good. The imagery used in this verse – an Ethiopian changing his skin and a leopard changing its spots – serves to emphasize the impossibility of the situation. Just as it is impossible for these things to change, so too is it impossible for the people of Judah, who are accustomed to doing evil, to change their ways and do good.

     It also implies that the people of Judah have become so accustomed to doing evil that it has become a part of their nature, much like the skin of an Ethiopian or the spots of a leopard.

     Jeremiah 13:23 comes at a time when the prophet is warning the people of Judah about the impending judgment and destruction that will come upon them if they do not turn from their wicked ways and return to God. Throughout the book, Jeremiah repeatedly emphasizes the need for repentance and obedience to God's commandments, and he warns of the dire consequences that will follow if the people do not heed his warnings.

     What is the answer to the question of Jeremiah? __________

Although it would take a miracle to change the color of the Ethiopian’s skin, but it would take even a greater miracle to change of the Ethiopian’s heart.

     So, God worked a miracle and used Philip the evangelist preached unto the Eunuch who? ________ (Acts 8:35).

Acts 8:35 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”

     According to the passage the eunuch was reading from in Isaiah 53:7-8 speaks prophetically about Jesus and his sacrificial death. Philip likely used this passage as a starting point to demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, and how this was evidence of his identity as the Messiah.

     The Ethiopian eunuch was a high-ranking official in the court of the queen of Ethiopia, and he had traveled to Jerusalem to worship. On his return journey, he was reading from the book of Isaiah 53:7-8 that speaks prophetically about Jesus and his sacrificial death. Then Philip approached him and asked if he understood what he was reading. In response, the eunuch invited Philip to join him in his chariot and help him understand the passage. Philip took the opportunity and begins to explain the scripture to the Ethiopian eunuch as he preached to him about Jesus.

     Philip likely used this passage as a starting point to demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies, and how this was evidence of his identity as the Messiah.

    This act of sharing the good news with others is a central theme in the Bible, as followers of Christ are called to spread the message of salvation to all people regardless of race. The race doesn’t make any difference in the body of Christ.

     This shows the importance of teaching and explaining the scriptures to anyone, no matter what race they belong, who may not fully understand the bible, demonstrating the responsibility of believers to actively engage in evangelism and discipleship worldwide, regardless what race the people of certain nation.

     The fact the Ethiopian eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah shows how even those outside of the Jewish tradition were seeking knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures, including those various races around the globe.

     Additionally, the act of Philip preaching to the eunuch in his chariot symbolizes the importance of meeting people where they are, which emphasize the missionaries going to the mission field in other countries to reach different races of people.

     Did the Eunuch from Ethiopia receive the message preached by Philip? ______ (Acts 8:37)

Acts 8:37 “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 

     This is a moment in the story of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch by Philip.

     After Philip had preached Jesus to him, the eunuch was moved by the Spirit and expressed his desire to be baptized.

     Notice when Philip asks the eunuch to make a confession of faith, the Eunuch declares “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” It emphasizes the confession of faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. This confession is a central tenet of the Christian faith, as it acknowledges the divinity of Jesus and His role as the Savior of the world. Throughout the New Testament, the confession of Jesus as the Son of God is considered essential for salvation and the foundation of Christian belief.

     We see also the requirement of sincere belief for baptism. The eunuch asks Philip to baptize him, but Philip responds by requiring a confession of faith and the demonstration of true belief as a fundamental theme of the Christian faith. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who emphasized the importance of genuine belief as a prerequisite for baptism. The verse underscores the idea that baptism is not a mere ritual or formality, but a public declaration of one's faith in Jesus Christ.

     The eunuch, a foreigner and a eunuch (a person who was likely excluded from the Jewish faith and community, is welcomed into the faith and baptized by Philip. This signifies the inclusive nature of the gospel, as it is meant for all people, regardless of their races, background, social status. The inclusivity of the gospel is a powerful reminder of God's love and grace, which extends to all people regardless of race, inviting them to become part of the body of Christ.

     We see here the early church and the missionary activities of the apostles and early disciples as they carried the message of Jesus and the spread of the gospel beyond the borders of Jerusalem, into different parts of the world, which signifies different races makes no different in the body of Christ. The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch is a significant event in the book of Acts, as it demonstrates the universal reach of the gospel message and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. It also serves as a model for the mission of the church to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to all nations.

     Was the Eunuch from Ethiopia was baptized in water? _____ (Acts 8:36-39)

Acts 8:36-39 “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? ³⁷ And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. ³⁸ And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. ³⁹ And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.”

     When Philip joined him in the chariot, he explained the text and preached the gospel to him. The eunuch was so moved by Philip's teaching that when they came across a body of water, he requested to be baptized. The verse in question describes the moment when Philip baptized the eunuch, signifying his commitment to following Christ.

     Baptism is a fundamental rite in Christianity, symbolizing purification, spiritual rebirth, and the washing away of sins. In the New Testament, baptism is often associated with the confession of faith and the public declaration of one's commitment to Jesus Christ. By being baptized, the Ethiopian eunuch publicly identifies himself as a follower of Christ and a member of the Christian community.

    Did God change the heart of this African nationality? _______

     The act of going down into the water for baptism represents a spiritual death and rebirth. It signifies a turning away from the old life of sin and a new beginning as a disciple of Jesus. The water itself is a symbol of cleansing and purification, reflecting the transformative power of God's grace in the believer's life. Yes, God changed the heart of this African race.

    Is God a respecter of persons with different color of skin or race? ________ (Acts 10:34-35)

Acts 10:34-35 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”

     To understand how Peter started his message. We should not forget that this chapter 10 begins by introducing a Roman centurion named Cornelius, who is a devout and God-fearing man. One day, Cornelius receives a vision from an angel instructing him to send men to bring Peter to him. At the same time, Peter experiences a vision that challenges his understanding of God's acceptance of Gentiles. As a result of these visions, Peter goes to Cornelius and, upon meeting him, proclaims the message in Acts 10:34.

     Peter is speaking during the early Christian church, to understand that God's love and salvation are available to all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or social status. Historically, this is considered a turning point in the inclusion of Gentiles—non-Jewish individuals—within the Christian faith.

     The truth that God shows no partiality or favoritism towards any group of people is a foundational belief in Christianity. It underscores the belief that all people are created in the image of God and are equally worthy of His grace and mercy.

     The statement of Peter “God is no respecter of persons” represents the breaking down of barriers and the unity of all believers in Christ. When Peter proclaimed that God shows no partiality, Peter is calling for the removal of the barriers that divide people and prevent them from experiencing the fullness of God's love.

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