By Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read: Acts 8:26-40

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.” (Acts 8:35)

By Rev. Ron Purkey

Any Christian would enjoy a revival such as that which God gave in Samaria, but not everyone would leave such a meeting to lead one soul to Christ. Philip obeyed the Lord and found an Ethiopian, undoubtedly a proselyte to the Jewish faith, a man who was a high officer in his land. We see in this event the factors necessary for effective witness for Christ.

First, The Man of God. Philip was obedient to the Spirit, going where God led him. He knew Christ as his own Savior. God’s method for winning others does not use organizational machinery, worldly attractions, or high-powered promotion. God uses people — dedicated men and women who will obey the Spirit. Philip was the kind of evangelist who was willing to leave the public meeting with its excitement to help a soul find peace in a private place where only God could see.

Second, The Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is the Lord of the harvest, and it’s through him that we have the power to witness (Acts 1:8). The Spirit opened the way for Philip to come to the man; He opened the scriptures to the seeking sinner; and he opened the sinner’s heart to the Savior. A man cannot be saved who does not understand what he is doing, and only the Spirit can teach the sinner the truths of the Gospel. When the Spirit brings a prepared servant and a contrite sinner together, there will be a harvest.

Third, The Word of God. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” says Romans 10:17. Isaiah 53 was the chapter Philip used (Acts 8:32-33), that wonderful picture of the Lamb of God; from that chapter Philip preached Christ. He began where the man was and took him through the Scriptures, explaining who Jesus was and what he had done. There can be no real conversion apart from the word of God. Consider these Scriptures: John 5:24; Ephesians 1:12-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 1:3. The personal witness that finally bears fruit is the witness that plants the seed of the word and exalts Jesus Christ.

The Ethiopian proved his faith by his baptism, in obedience to the word of God. Philip was caught away for a ministry elsewhere; and the Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing. When Philip preached Christ in the city, there was great joy (see Acts 8:8), and when he presented Christ in the desert, he sent the new believer on his way rejoicing. Joy is one of the evidences of true conversion (see Luke 15:5-7, 9-10, 23-24, 32).

Read Ron Purkey’s free Bible study outlines at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.