What does Acts 8:38 Mean?

Context Summary

From the great city revival in Samaria Philip was led to the desert to minister to one seeking soul. It seems strange that God should be able to spare him from his busy and fruitful ministry in Samaria; but probably the comparative retirement was needed for soul and body after the strain of that successful campaign. How certain these Spirit-filled men were of the heavenly impulse! Every appearance suggested that this man of God was needed in the city, but the inner voice was the deciding factor, and his journey was so timed as to bring him in contact with a soul that was groping its way toward Christ.

The Bible is good as a traveling companion. Take it on your journeys. Read it as other men do their newspapers; not exclusively but boldly. There are many stories afloat of bullets being stopped by pocket Testaments; and it is certain that many a desperate thrust of the devil has been warded off by the Word of God being hidden in the heart and worn as a breastplate. Live in touch with God, and He will put you in touch with souls. This conversion of a son of Ham was a worthy fulfillment of Isaiah 56:3-8. [source]

Chapter Summary: Acts 8

¹  By occasion of the persecution in Jerusalem, the church being planted in Samaria,
⁴  by Philip the deacon, who preached, did miracles, and baptized many;
⁹  among the rest Simon the sorcerer, a great seducer of the people;
¹⁴  Peter and John come to confirm and enlarge the church;
¹⁵  where, by prayer and imposition of hands giving the Holy Spirit;
¹⁸  when Simon would have bought the like power of them,
²⁰  Peter sharply reproving his hypocrisy and covetousness,
²²  and exhorting him to repentance,
²⁵  together with John preaching the word of the Lord, return to Jerusalem;
²⁶  but the angel sends Philip to teach and baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch