Acts 8 - recap: Philip went to Samaria, preached there and people saved. Peter and John come to verify, lay hands on new Christians, Holy Spirit is given.
Acts 8:26
Angel comes to Philip and directs him to desert road going from Jerusalem to Gaza. Philip meets with the Ethiopian Eunuch
Side note: angel visitation was not a commonplace occurrence. A few examples of angel visitations:
John the Baptist's father, Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, the Marys at the resurrection, broke apostles out of prison, but still - not an everyday happening.
So this was a very big deal.
We are called to be Ambassadors and Witnesses. The Holy Spirit is in us!! May be scary.
Some truths to help us be effective Witnesses.
Truth #1. God Prepares the way.
Matt. 28:18-20, Acts 1:8 - Jesus has the authority. God is always working to change hearts, prepare the way.
Acts 8:27-28
Truth #2. Jesus is for all people.
Isa. 49:6, 51:4, Psm. 67:1-7, Psm. 68:31, Psm. 87:1-7
God had a plan for all people from the beginning.
The Ethiopian was a Gentile, traveled by chariot over 1000 miles, this is the area of the Queen of Sheba who came to visit Solomon.
Very complex: royal (was in the court of Candace - sister to the king) and lowly, powerful (handled all the secular things of the kingdomy) and a eunuch. He = in need and recognizes his need, is searching. Maybe a proselyte. Definitely is seeking hard.
Truth #3. People Need What You Got!
Matt. 11:28-30 - 1 John 4:7-12 -
If are a born again Christian, the Holy Spirit lives in you. Everybody needs what we have. May not realize it but they do.
Quote by Glassman: we have "possession of an elegant solution to the world's most vexing problem."
All the stuff we have will never satisfy. World doesn't know love. Unless the Son of God is living inside, you don't know love!
Acts 8:29 - Philip directed to the chariot and to stay near it. Going when directed should not be our biggest fear. Rom. 1:16 - don't be ashamed of the gospel.
Acts 8:30-35 - God is all over that. Eunuch just happened to be reading in the scroll of Isaiah. Happened to be reading Isa. 53 - this written 700 years before Jesus was despised and rejected by His own people; (My God...., (Nails), (Scourged), (behold), (between criminals), (Father, forgive). This = the Gospel according to Isaiah - the Old Testament story of Jesus.
What a softball! Spirit of God - using the Word - to proclaim the Son - by using people - for the glory - praise God!
Truth #4. Scripture is Powerful. God's Word does the heavy lifting. He prepares the ground.
Isa. 55:10-11, Heb. 4:12, 2 Tim. 3:16-17
Therefore, must read, know, meditate, use, trust God's Word. - never change or alter.
Acts 8:36-38 - Be baptized.
Acts 8:39-40
Truth #5: Salvation brings rejoicing ... God handles results
Remember: the Good News is GOOD!!
Acts 16:33-34 - Philippian jailer
Question: what happened to the Eunuch? Scripture doesn't tell us. Tradition states that there are 53 million professing Christians (64%) in Ethiopia. The Ethiopia now not the same as it was then, but general area.
All from one man - one encounter!!
Challenge:
A) pray for one lost person
B) pray for opportunity to share the gospel
C) if given, take the opportunity.
Closing Scripture:
Rom. 10:14-17
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