The Fulfillment of the Holy Spirit’s Outpouring: The Ethiopian

The final example is the Ethiopian recorded in Acts 8.  This Ethiopian was on his return trip back home from Jerusalem.  The Holy Spirit tells Philip to join this man (Acts 8:29).    When Philip ran to meet this man on the road, he taught him about Jesus Christ and baptized him.  The situation, in this case, is as follows.  There is no mention of the Holy Spirit or an apostle and this man is returning home in his chariot.  It was not the same situation wherein an apostle would be called from Jerusalem to Samaria.   While he was a candidate for receiving the Holy Spirit, he departed for home without Him.  We do not know how long he waited until an Apostle imparted the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Perhaps an Apostle(s) made a trip to Ethiopia or he had the opportunity on a return visit to Jerusalem.  Either way, he could still go on his way, rejoicing because he had his sins washed away.  Regarding such rejoicing, think about the contrast between miraculous power and remission of sins in another context, showing the priority of one over the other.  In the words of Christ to those disciples who were excited about the power to cast out demons, he said, “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” (Luke 10:20).