Topical Encyclopedia Queen Candace is a notable figure mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Book of Acts. Her mention is brief yet significant, as it provides insight into the early spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish world and into Africa. The reference to Queen Candace is found in Acts 8:27, which states: "So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship."Historical Context The title "Candace" is not a personal name but rather a dynastic title used by the queens of the ancient African kingdom of Kush, located in what is now modern-day Sudan. The kingdom of Kush was a powerful and wealthy civilization, known for its rich culture and significant influence in the region. The use of the title "Candace" is akin to the use of "Pharaoh" in Egypt, signifying the ruling queen or queen mother. Biblical Account In the biblical narrative, the Ethiopian eunuch serves as a high-ranking official in charge of the treasury of Queen Candace. This position indicates the eunuch's significant status and the trust placed in him by the queen. The eunuch's journey to Jerusalem to worship suggests that he was a God-fearer, a Gentile who revered the God of Israel and followed certain Jewish religious practices. The encounter between the Ethiopian eunuch and Philip the Evangelist is a pivotal moment in the Book of Acts. As the eunuch reads from the Book of Isaiah, Philip is led by the Holy Spirit to approach his chariot. Philip explains the Scriptures and shares the good news of Jesus Christ, leading to the eunuch's conversion and baptism. This event marks one of the earliest recorded instances of the Christian faith reaching the African continent. Significance Queen Candace's mention in the Bible highlights the early and expansive reach of the Gospel message. The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch under her reign symbolizes the breaking of cultural and geographical barriers, demonstrating that the message of Christ is for all nations and peoples. The account underscores the inclusivity of the Christian faith and the fulfillment of the Great Commission as described in Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Cultural and Theological Implications The account of Queen Candace's eunuch reflects the openness of the early Christian movement to diverse cultures and ethnicities. It serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and its ability to transcend societal divisions. The narrative also emphasizes the role of divine guidance in evangelism, as seen in Philip's obedience to the Holy Spirit's prompting. In summary, Queen Candace, through her official, plays a crucial role in the biblical narrative of the spread of Christianity. Her mention in the Scriptures serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of the Gospel and the fulfillment of God's promise to bless all nations through the seed of Abraham. Nave's Topical Index Acts 8:27And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Nave's Topical Index Library Exile: Appeals for a Phinehas, and a Jehu: 1554 The Holy Spirit Sending Men Forth to Definite Lines of Work. The Gospel in Samaria The Course Pursued by the Apostles after the Ascension of Christ. Laymen Called to the Field of Missions. Philip and the Ethiopian Acts viii. 26, 27 The Wyclif of the East --Bible Translation Letter Lxix. To Oceanus. Acts VIII Resources What does the Bible have to say about women missionaries? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn't that mean they are called to preach? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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