A "Missing" Verse

This past Sunday we concluded our fall sermon series on the book of Acts by looking at the story of Philip and the Ethiopian found in Acts 8:26-40.  If you were using a modern translation like the NIV or ESV you may have noticed something peculiar – verse 37 is skipped.  The passage jumps straight from verse 36 to verse 38.  However, if you were using a KJV translation, you might have thought that I skipped verse 37, because the KJV includes it!

Here is the “controversial” verse in the KJV:

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

You might remember that I said that we believe that at some point Philip gave the Ethiopian an invitation to receive Christ and we believe that the Ethiopian did.  Verse 37 makes it clear that he did!  So what’s the deal?  Why do modern translations omit Acts 8:37?

Well, it is not found in any of the earliest manuscripts of the book of Acts that we have.  Many scholars believe a scribe added verse 37 after Acts was in circulation in the early church for a while.   Evidently the scribe felt that this story needed more context and so he provided the missing confession of faith.

The scribe may have been well-meaning in making the addition, but he was clearly in error in doing so.  God makes it clear through the Bible that no one is to add to it (Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:6, Revelation 22:18-19).  Furthermore, adding verse 37 was unnecessary.  Luke had summarized Philip’s sharing the gospel with the eunuch in verse 35 and, as I said on Sunday, we can assume it included an appeal for the eunuch to respond to Christ.  We know that the Ethiopian did because the conversation immediately turns to baptism. 

Verse 37 is added as a footnote in most modern translations of the Bible.  Although I don’t believe it is Scripture, that doesn’t mean that it has no value.  Many scholars believe that it was likely a very early Christian baptismal confession.  Right before the person was baptized they were asked if they believed in Christ with all his/her heart.  The person

responded by confessing Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

Here’s why this is important to us today - We ask essentially the same question today before someone is baptized at the Bridge:

Have you experienced the forgiveness of your sins through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord? 

Although we strive to not be bound by tradition at the Bridge, certain ones are worth keeping!

Here’s what’s happening:

1.      TONIGHT - The church is hosting a time of prayer for the Wagner family at 6:30 pm.

2.     SATURDAY - The Double Nickels are Christmas Caroling at the Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community at 5 pm.  If you’d like to join them they will gather outside the entrance to the Long Building.  If you are facing the front of the facility this is the entrance on the right.  One note – Saturday is also the “Christmas in Q-ville” event at the SECA park.  You can make a day of it!

3.     SUNDAY – Last day to bring in cans of pasta (like Chef-Boy-R-Dee), cans of soup, and canned meat (Spam, Dinty Moore Beef Stew, etc..) for the SWEEPS ministry at Solanco Neighborhood Ministries. Couple of things to keep in mind - pop top or microwavable containers are the best so the kids don't have to use a can opener.  The goal is for the kids to be able to have some meat with their pasta or in their soup.  Please watch dates...the ministry can't give out expired or soon-to-be expired food. 

4.     Next Thursday, 12/11 – Youth Group and Ladies Quilt Knotting

5.     12/13 – Youth Group Christmas Party – Youth should meet at the church at 12:50 pm to carpool over to Country View Manor over at the Buck.  They’ll come back to the church for a Christmas party afterwards.  Please see Tracy Alexander for a permission slip.

6.     12/14 – Double Nickels Luncheon

7.      12/19 – ABCF Christmas Caroling – Meet at the Kreider home at 6:15 or at Ellen Ranck’s home at 7 pm.  We’ll return back to the Kreider home for a time of fellowship afterwards.  Bring along your favorite holiday treat to share.  Please let Mary Lois know if you are joining in the fun.

8.     12/24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 pm.

9.     12/30 – Blessings of Hope Service Project.  This is an afternoon shift.  Anyone who would like to come should see Elizabeth Barrett by next Sunday, 12/14.  We need to submit names to BoH in advance.

10.  We are taking our holiday break from Sunday School on December 21, 28, and January 4.

11.   We are in need of a children’s Sunday School teacher starting in 2026.  Please see me if you would be willing to help or would like more information.

12.   We are in need of more help at the tech booth on Sunday mornings.  No experience necessary…see Bruce Fite if you are interested.

This Sunday we start our Advent sermon series that I have titled “Three Wise Women.” We will be looking at the lives of 3 of the ladies that appear in the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew.  In the book of Joshua we are introduced to a lady named Rahab.  She is considered to be one of the four most beautiful women of the ancient world, but her life is defined by a very public sin.  We'll be studying how Rahab redefined her life and how her story is connected to the Christmas story!

See you on Sunday,

Scott

PS – Parents, like this past week, I’ll do my best to keep things as “PG” as possible this week in regard to Rahab’s profession.

PPS – My son Trent went back to school today.  Thanks for the prayers and the phone calls/texts checking up on him.