Spirit Led (by B.J. Price)

Acts chapter eight concludes with a powerful story of how the Spirit led Philip to witness to an Ethiopian official.

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.

"How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
"He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth."

The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea. (Acts 8:26-40)

There is much we can learn from this passage of scripture. For starters, note with me how Philip hears and obeys the Spirit. With the Lord's help we should tune our hearts each day to be sensitive to his voice and his leading.

Secondly, we should note that Philip's obedience to the Holy Spirit allowed him to join in the work that had already begun. This is the pattern that we will do well to recognize in the world - Christ has called us to be his witnesses, Christ offers salvation to all, the Holy Spirit draws men and women to God, the Holy Spirit then reveals his work to us, God invites and allows us to be a part of bringing men and women to himself.

Thirdly, we should note that Philip used the scriptures to share the message of hope. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

Fourthly, we should note that the Ethiopian official responded to the true gospel with immediate obedience. He wanted to be baptized right away. It would make sense that Philip must have spoke about Jesus' life, death, burial, resurrection, and commissioning of the disciples to go make disciples of all nations baptizing them.

Finally, we should note that the Ethiopian went away rejoicing and Philip continued preaching the gospel as the Spirit led him.

Today, as an act of worship, may we first delight in the Lord and in our salvation through Jesus Christ alone. May we fully surrender to God in order for our hearts can be tuned to hear and sense his leading. May we be faithful witnesses wherever we go.

written by B.J. Price (www.bjprice.blogspot.com)