Acts 8: 26 – 40 NLT
“Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”
30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.
32 The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter.
And as a lamb is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth.
33 He was humiliated and received no justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.” (Isaiah 53: 7 – 8)
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.
36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”
(Some manuscripts add verse 37, “You can,” Philip answered, “if you believe with all your heart.” And the eunuch replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”)
38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.”
And now the Good News will begin to reach the “remotest part of the earth”. God sends Philip to a desert road where he meets an Ethiopian who has apparently heard of the Jewish faith. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was on his way home. Philip is able to explain the prophecies in Isaiah to this man who is open to this good news.
We want to share the good news about Jesus today. So much of our culture has turned away from Christianity. How can I share my faith effectively? Charles Swindoll had some interesting comments about sharing our faith in Living Insights: Acts that I’m going to summarize in my own words.
First of all, be sensitive and available to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Philip was involved in a exciting, growing ministry in Samaria when he sensed the Spirit leading him to a lonely road out in the country. You may be involved in various things in your community and church that are going well. Continue to pray for God’s guidance in your work. When you get that nudge that maybe something should change, pray! God may be sending you to a new area of service.
Sometimes we have to take the initiative to start a personal conversation with someone about our faith. We can’t always wait for someone to ask us questions. But be tactful. Love that person you want to talk with. Get to know that person. Start the conversation with a general questions. Notice that Philip asked the eunuch what he was reading. That got them started. Sometimes, God gives us opportunities that stare us in the face, and we’re too nervous to speak. Know that when those opportunities come up, God can give us the words to say.
When you share your faith, be precise. Talk about what Jesus did for you. Don’t get caught up in discussions about other religions, evidence for intelligent design, theological issues or social problems. Just be brief and kind, and talk about Jesus and how he changed you. (pages 158 – 160)
Our song for today is Send Me Lord by Matt Redman.