What the Story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch Reveals About Being an Ally

by Adam Allen in Transpirituality

There are ways to talk about the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch as told in Acts 8:26-40, such as addressing the theme of breaking boundaries. But now we’ll use that same piece of scripture to outline ways that allies can support LGBTQIA+ communities and people. Let’s start by reading the story. For ease of reading and commentary, we’ll be using The Message version.

Later God’s angel spoke to Philip: “At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.” He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. (Acts 8:26-28)

In the story just before this one, Philip is in the middle of a really successful revival in a Samaritan town. Some people might have blown off this word. After all, what could possibly happen on a deserted road that could be better than success in Samaria?

God might call you away from success and comfort to help us. Especially since a lot of LGBTQIA+ people have been pushed into the wilderness by the church and society.

The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was a minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. (Acts 8:28)

The Spirit told Philip, “Climb into the chariot.” Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” (Acts 8:29-30)

Talk with us about what we’re doing. Don’t open the conversation with your own agenda. LGBTQIA+ folks have hobbies outside of fighting for our existence. It turns out we’re actual people.

He answered, “How can I without some help?” and invited Philip into the chariot with him. The passage he was reading was this: (Acts 8:31-32)

As a sheep led to slaughter,
and quiet as a lamb being sheared,
He was silent, saying nothing.
He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial.
But who now can count his kin
since he’s been taken from the earth? (Acts 8:33)

The eunuch said, “Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?” Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him. (Acts 8:34-35)

Notice something here. Philip didn’t read the eunuch his denomination’s stance on being a gender and sexual minority. He didn’t tell them about one single church way up in Samaria where, if the eunuch traveled extra hours and took a chance, they’d be welcome. Probably — at least their money would be.

Instead, Philip helped with the question they’d been wrestling with. Reading Scriptures they wanted an answer to. And he saw how that Scripture led to Jesus’ message about life abundant. Answer our questions. It might not seem important to you, but they matter to us.

Now we’re going to use a different translation for this next verse. We’ll use the Holman Christian Standard Bible. The wording matters here. It speaks to how used to the eunuch is to being left out and pushed away. The Message version smooths that over in a way I don’t like. Let’s look at verse 36:

As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water! What would keep me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36)

“What would keep me… ?” Here’s someone who is used to being on the margins religiously. They’re very powerful in their day to day life. Being in charge of an entire treasury, I’d imagine they’re highly respected. At least socially.

But here they assume the same thing a lot of LGBTQIA+ people do. Promises of “abundant life,” coming to Jesus “as you are,” “without conditions,” aren’t for us. Because somehow there are always conditions when we show up.

Really listen when we ask questions about your house of worship. Hear what we’re saying in between the words. Notice what we’re assuming.

Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. (Acts 8:38)

Sometimes we don’t need endless words and promises. It’s your actions that will matter more.

You’ll notice we skipped verse 37. It’s where the eunuch proclaims belief in Jesus as the Son of God. According to scholars, most of the oldest and most historically reliable manuscripts don’t have that verse. It was added in much later.

Which means, as far as we know, Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunuch without them having to declare any specific belief system. Think about that act of radical inclusion.

How can you act radically on our behalf? Can you demand your church/house of worship donate money to GoFundMe funds for trans people and their families fleeing from hostile states? Open your doors to shelter trans and gender diverse homeless people turned away from gendered shelters? Whatever you do, do it with conviction and your whole voice.

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer. But he went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:39)

God may not intend for you to be with us long-term. Your only job may be to meet one need, or bring a bit of joy. Then you’re called away again. And that’s okay. You planted a seed, and it will get watered somewhere else. Trust God, and don’t get your ego tied up in “saving” us.

Philip appeared in Azotus, and he was traveling and evangelizing all the towns until he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:40)

“And he was traveling and evangelizing…” In other words, Philip went right back to Jesus’ basic message. Living his life telling the world about Jesus.

The verse doesn’t say he ran around bragging about baptizing a eunuch. But something about his day to day life led both a town full of Samaritans and a lone outsider to trust him enough to believe.

People of faith need to stop bragging about marching in Pride parades once a year and handing out brochures. Good grief, banks and porn sites march in Pride. What do you do during the rest of the year? Do you sit in your building, assuming since we saw you march, we’ll come to you?

Or do you show up for our lives? Do you sponsor events? Raise money for scholarships and healthcare costs? We have daily lives that happen the other 364 days of the year. Bragging about Pride shows you have nothing else going on. And that it’s about patting yourself on the back.

*Sigh*

And for God’s sake, iron your flags. It matters. When your flag has those square wrinkles, we know you bought it last minute. Or pulled it out of storage. That you don’t fly it regularly, and don’t use it any other time. It screams “tourist” and negates everything you say.

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