Was the eunuch baptized by Philip in the Book of Acts a homosexual or sexless?

Question

Hey, Perry L, I have read Charles Darwin and Stephen Jay Gould and Stephen Hawkings and David Hawkins and ...

Answer 1

< In the Act of the Apostles, 8:26-39, we see the first time the Holy Spirit recruits members to the new covenant from the sexual outcasts of Israel. The Spirit leads Philip to encounter the Ethiopian eunuch, who is baptized into the Christian community. The Lucan author of this account is showing how the Holy Spirit formed the first Christian community. He emphasizes the fact that outcasts were included in the new covenant with God. First he tells of including the Samaritans. Then the Ethiopian eunuch was welcomed to the covenant.

The New Testament was written in Greek. At the time, Hebrew, Greek, and the translation between them used the term eunuch two ways: literally, meaning the castrated; and symbolically, meaning those who do not marry and/or bear children.

Jesus was the first to recognize sexual outcasts as worthy of God's kingdom. He and his disciples were discussing marriage and divorce in Matthew 19:12 when he said: "All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it."

This quote from Matthew is the closest biblical reference we have to our current understanding that homosexuality is a psychological identity, rather than just physical acts. For Christ to have known this in biblical times is a testament to his inspired understanding.

Jesus brought a new covenant with God, not only to the children of Israel but to all mankind. It is a covenant of loving your neighbor as yourself, and raising a joyful noise unto the Lord. The communities established by his disciples, who knew and quoted him, accepted all the outcasts of Israel and understood the Genesis account of sex as the gift of companionship as well as procreation.

This fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah. In Isaiah 56: 2-8, the eunuch is predicted to inherit a special place in the house of the Lord and the sons of strangers are predicted to take hold of the Lord's covenant. Verse 7 predicts: "Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." >

Answer 2

A eunuch is a guy that has been castrated...a male with no sex parts. Who really cares...it was 2000 years ago.

Read a different book! Put down that Bible and read something else...really.

Maybe you could start with the now 170 year old title "The Origin of Species" written by the Rev. Charles Darwin...yes he was an Anglican priest. This is a dangerous text because it blows the concept that Humans were some how "created" separately from everything else.

Or perhaps something from the last century...you know the 20th century..that seems to have passed you by. "A Brief History of Time" by Stephan Hawking...which probably has way too much math...so I'm sure you will avoid the headache.

Ok...How about this...find some used college textbooks like "Biology 101", "Basic Physics", "Chemistry 101" and "Physical Geography 101". That should get you occupied for a year or two giving you ample time to kick the Bible addiction.

...get tuned up a little...and quit reading authors from 5000 years ago when the world didn't know sh** and people thought dreams came from God.

Answer 3

Why Called a Eunuch?

Throughout the account in Acts chapter 8, the Ethiopian is referred to as a “eunuch.” However, since the Mosaic Law did not admit a castrated male into the congregation, this man was evidently not a eunuch in the literal sense. (Deuteronomy 23:1) The Greek word for “eunuch” can refer to a person in high office. Thus, the Ethiopian was an official under the queen of Ethiopia.

God’s angel gave Philip a new assignment. (8:26-40) In a chariot on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza rode a “eunuch,” an officer over the treasure of Ethiopia’s queen Candace. He was not a physical eunuch, barred from the Jewish congregation, but he had gone to Jerusalem to worship as a circumcised proselyte. (Deuteronomy 23:1) Philip found the eunuch reading from the book of Isaiah. Invited aboard the chariot, Philip discussed Isaiah’s prophecy and “declared to him the good news about Jesus.” (Isaiah 53:7, 8) Soon the Ethiopian exclaimed: “Look! A body of water; what prevents me from getting baptized?” Nothing did, since he knew about God and now had faith in Christ. So Philip baptized the Ethiopian, who then went his way rejoicing.

Answer 4

A eunuch is a person that has no desire for sex. Some have been operated on other are born that way but that is not being a homosexual.. Matthew 19: 12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. It has nothing to do with being homosexual. Why does everybody try to make homosexuality not a sin? It is not only a sin against God but a sin against nature. Romans 1: 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Answer 5

Isn't a eunuch by definition sexless?

Answer 6

Philip condoned being a eunuch?Mutilation is forgiven?You could not be a homosexual without genitals!(homosexual=gay)

Answer 7

"Eunuch" in this case probably meant that the man had taken a celibacy vow for religious purposes.

Such vows were not common back then -- but some people did take them.

Answer 8

He had been castrated so he could take care of the female members of the royal family, especially the queen, without danger to them. In Bible days this was common.

Answer 9

He was a eunuch, which means that he was castrated as a bodyguard for the queen to ensure that he did not molest her.

Answer 10

For Heavens sakes, He was a eunuch, what is your problem?