What does Acts 8:38 mean?

An angel has directed Philip, a Christ-follower and one of the first deacons of the church (Acts 6:1–6), to travel south to the road that connects Jerusalem to the city of Gaza on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Philip finds an Ethiopian court official reading the book of Isaiah while traveling in a chariot. The official had been to Jerusalem to worship the Jewish God and is now returning home. Philip explains how the passage he's reading is about Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified so that we might be forgiven and reconciled to God. The Ethiopian believes and insists that Philip baptize him immediately (Acts 8:26–36).

It's interesting to compare the Ethiopian to the Jewish leaders. They had studied the Jewish prophets their whole lives. They knew all about the Messiah—or thought they did—but never connected Him to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53. Like nearly everyone Jesus came into contact with, they believed the Messiah would come to politically rescue Israel and sit on the throne as their king. Even the disciples, right before the ascension, believed Jesus' reign was imminent (Acts 1:6).

This man, however, isn't a Jew. He doesn't have the political baggage that the Jewish leaders have. He is a eunuch, but he is in charge of the treasury of the queen of Ethiopia and has all the power and prestige he could want (Acts 8:27). Because of his lack of expectation, he is able to accept the great gift Jesus offers him. He enthusiastically formally identifies with the message that a Jewish teacher is the Son of God and offers salvation.