The Ethiopian official continued his journey “rejoicing,” a remark that reflects the reality of his faith in Jesus as Israel’s Messiah and the Savior from sins, implying that he had received the Holy Spirit; the present participle (χαίρων) suggests a permanent reality of his commitment to Jesus. Irenaeus and Eusebius relate that the converted eunuch was the first missionary to Ethiopia.2017
Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Expanded Digital Edition., Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), Ac 8:39.
Cf. Acts 2:46; 5:41; 13:52; 15:3; 16:34.
