The Ethiopian eunuch believed with all his heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the eunuch's confession of faith was 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,' a heartfelt belief in His identity as the Messiah and King of Israel. Les highlights that this confession did not include Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, which were not part of the gospel message at that time.
Acts 8:37 — This verse records the eunuch's exact confession of faith: 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'
In Acts chapter 8, Philip, guided by the Spirit, meets an Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah 53. Philip explains that this prophecy refers to Jesus (Acts 8:35). As they travel, they come to water, and the eunuch asks, 'See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?' (Acts 8:36). Philip responds, 'If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest.' Then the eunuch declares, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God' (Acts 8:37). The biblical account of the eunuch's belief is specifically that Jesus is the Son of God, without any explicit mention of His death, burial, or resurrection in this confession.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the Ethiopian eunuch believed with all his heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, a heartfelt confession that he is the Messiah and King of Israel. This belief was distinct from a mere intellectual agreement, contrasting with Simon the Sorcerer who believed only in his head for personal gain. Les points out that the eunuch's confession, as recorded, does not include Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, which were not yet revealed as the gospel of grace. This was part of the gospel of the kingdom, requiring repentance and water baptism, and was consistent with other confessions like Peter's and Martha's, all stating 'thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.'
The Eunuch's confession was 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God' (Acts 8:37). Les Feldick underscores that this was a belief in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and did not include any mention of His death, burial, or resurrection.
Les Feldick notes that Peter, Martha, and the eunuch all made similar confessions: 'thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.' This was a consistent statement of faith among early believers, focusing on Jesus' identity as the Messiah, not on the specifics of His work on the cross, which were not yet fully understood or revealed.
Les Feldick points out that the biblical account does not record that the eunuch confessed belief in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Although some may assume this, the confession as given is limited to believing that Jesus is the Son of God. This was the crucial point for baptism at that time.
The eunuch's belief and baptism
Les explains that Philip preached only that Jesus was the Messiah, and the eunuch's request for baptism shows he believed this message, with baptism being the proof of repentance.
The eunuch as a proselyte
Les suggests the eunuch was a proselyte because he had been worshiping in Jerusalem, setting the context for his understanding of Jewish prophecies.
The confession of faith
Les highlights that the eunuch's confession was simply 'I believe that Jesus the Christ was the Son of the Living God,' and he did not mention death or resurrection.
No preaching of Christ crucified
Les stresses that Philip did not preach Christ crucified to the eunuch, revealing that the gospel at that time was about Jesus being the Messiah, not His atoning death.
Belief as the condition for baptism
Les shows that Philip made heartfelt belief in Jesus as the Christ the condition for baptism, and the eunuch's confession met that requirement.
Avoiding adding to Scripture
Les warns against adding words like 'who died for me and rose again' to the eunuch's confession, emphasizing the importance of sticking to what Scripture actually says.
Consistent confessions of early believers
Les compares the eunuch's confession with Peter's and Martha's, noting that all focused on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.
The difference from later gospel
Les contrasts the eunuch's confession with Paul's later preaching of Christ crucified, showing the progressive revelation of the gospel.
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 verse directly records the eunuch's confession of faith, which is the central answer to the question.
The Bible does not record that he did. His confession was simply that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, which was the required belief at that time. Les Feldick emphasizes that this confession did not include death, burial, and resurrection.
In Acts 8:37, Philip states 'If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest,' and the eunuch responds with a wholehearted confession. Les contrasts this with Simon the Sorcerer, who believed only for material gain, showing the eunuch's belief was genuine.
Les explains that Philip preached unto him Jesus from Isaiah 53, showing him that the prophecy referred to Jesus. He did not preach Christ crucified, as that was not yet revealed as the gospel.
Watch the Teaching: What Did the Ethiopian Eunuch Actually Believe? Acts 8