36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. Acts 8:36-40

We do not know much more about this Ethiopian eunuch except that he was the first African who became a Christian. He didn’t need much teaching to be baptized. Just as Philip came into the man’s life, he left just as fast. How much did Philip talk with him about Christ? Presumably not long, but long enough to travel with him a bit.

Every so often people pop into our lives, leave an impact, and leave just as quickly. As a new baptized Believer, this Ethiopian was able to read the Scriptures with the knowledge that he had actually met someone who personally knew the Messiah. The Ethiopian now had a fantastic story to tell others when he returned home.

Like Philip, you and I can have great influence on people we talk to every day as well. We may not appear out of nowhere, share the Gospel message, and disappear like Philip did, but our great deeds and encouraging words can go a long way in building and maintaining relationships.