Good morning,
Jonah and Jeremiah were prophets of God. They viewed their responsibilities in this capacity differently. Jonah was a half-hearted prophet. He was not interested in seeing his enemies get saved. Jeremiah, whole heartedly, prophesized God’s message of repentance to backsliding Israel.
This week we will look at other men who presented God’s word. Noah, Philip, Jonah, Peter, and Stephen. Were these men faithful to God’s call and how did it change the lives of others.
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
“And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a 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,28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?37 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.38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.” (Acts 8:26-40)
Philip obeyed God. God said “Go” and Philip went. The Spirit of God led him. He knew the word of God. He was able to go from the passage in Isaiah and preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch. He also understood the difference between salvation and baptism. Trusting Christ as Savior and Lord before baptism.
Are we willing to go, when and where God sends us? Are the souls of the lost important to us? Do we know our Bibles well enough to tell them how to trust Christ? Does this challenge us to learn how?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
Leave a Reply