The Next Step

26.  And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise,

and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from

Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

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 charge of all of her treasure, and had come

to Jerusalem for to worship,

28.  Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the

prophet.

29.  Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself

to this chariot.

30.  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the

prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou

readest?

31.  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide

me?   And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit

with him.

32.  The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was

led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb is dumb before his

shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33.  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away:  and who shall

declare his generation?  for his life is taken from the earth.

34.  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom

speaketh the prophet this?  of himself, or of some other man?

35.  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same

scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36.  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.

40.  But Philip was found at Azotus:  and passing through he

preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.  (Acts 8:26-40).