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Just prior to Saul’s encounter with the Lord in the ninth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles is a story of another conversion—one which provides insight into both Saul’s conversion and our own roles in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
This prequel conversion is that of the Ethiopian eunuch by Philip (Acts 8:26-40). While this encounter/conversion has much to teach us about our own missions to share the Gospel, to decipher what that is, we should first consider how it amplifies three themes important to Paul’s career: the necessity of understanding scripture; the importance of Incarnational meetings (preaching, simple conversations, etc.); and, more fundamentally, an obedience to will of God to share His Good News.
Moreover, in the conversion of the Ethiopian, we are seeing the Gospel message beginning its move into the realm of the Gentiles in far off lands. After all, this eunuch holds an important role in his nation. He is a court official of the Ethiopian queen.
The account of this conversion begins with the detail that it does not happen by chance. Prompted by an angel of the Lord (Acts 8:26), Philip alters his path. Because he has followed this divine change in plans, he meets the Ethiopian traveler. And then Philip converses with him.
This is an important point for all followers of Christ: While the eunuch’s conversion is prompted by the Lord, it is carried out by simple human interaction.
The eunuch, on a journey back to his homeland, is reading Jewish scripture. But he does not grasp its meaning. It is not insignificant that we learn that the eunuch—a convert to Judaism (he “had come to Jerusalem to worship” Acts 8:27)—is reading Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant. Here is when Philip approaches and initiates the encounter with the question “Do you understand what you are reading?”
The Ethiopian responds, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?”
Philip provides this understanding as they travel. And it is in this journey of faith, being instructed by an apostle, that the eunuch sees an invitation into life in Christ. The eunuch’s response is immediately to seek baptism. From there, he returns on his way home, rejoicing in the good news of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:39).
What follows is a similar chain of events—with one important difference.
Saul, also a traveler, is introduced in a parallel, although quite drastic, state of unawareness of the Lord. But while it was an apostle of the Lord that encountered the Ethiopian it would be the Lord Himself who would encounter Saul. For Saul, the good news would be experienced in the presence of the glorified Jesus.
Moreover, note how the initial interaction of Christ and Saul mirrors that of Philip and the Ethiopian: the opening words of engagement in both conversions is a simple question. For the eunuch it is do you understand the message of the prophets? For Saul it is why are you persecuting me?
As with the Ethiopian, Saul admits a lack of understanding (who are you, Sir?), and in a blinded state continues his journey before experiencing full awareness. Like the first apostles, Saul’s conversion into believing, living discipleship will take some time—three days, to be exact. These days of darkness are ended with the Lord’s direct intervention through Ananias to find Saul and restore his sight through baptism. While Ananias is wary due to Saul’s reputation, the Lord affirms the task with the words “this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites” (Acts 9:15). Then, with his baptism, Saul, now Paul, awakens into his new life in Christ.
While the eunuch also continued his journey, we know nothing of it. But Paul’s journey would be well known. And while full of suffering, Paul’s new life would result in the building of many Christian communities and, importantly, would add to the faith and understanding of those he had converted—and all Christians for age after age.
For you and me, the lessons are simple. We must first know the Gospel—through study and prayer—and then we must preach it, simply—most especially beginning with a simply question or two—and thus do our bit to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
W. L. (Bill) Patenaude is a mechanical engineer, holds a Master of Arts in theology, and writes on issues that link faith and reason. Having worked for over 34 years at Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management, for which he has received numerous state and federal awards, Bill has been speaking and writing about the Catholic perspective of ecology since 2004, most especially at CatholicEcology.net. In 2018, Bill published his debut novel, A Printer's Choice, which uses the popular genres of science fiction and murder mystery to examine the influences of faith and the power of free will. Set in a world damaged by eco-crises and war, the novel asks important questions about the choices humanity is making today. (Visit APrintersChoice.com for more info.) Bill's graduate thesis examined the influences of St. Bonaventure on Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI. Patenaude argued that a young Fr. Ratzinger's observation that a Church that "seeks peace in the future is nonetheless obliged to love in the present" echoed throughout his life and influenced his views on issues like ecology. And so it should for all Catholics. Bill has served as a special lecturer in theology at Providence College and writes for national publications, including Catholic World Report. He's provided analysis for The National Catholic Register, the Catholic News Agency, Associated Press, National Geographic, The Boston Globe/Crux, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.
