0128. Philip and the Eunuch

Philip and the 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" (Act_8:26).

The Spirit of God is the active agency, in this age, in fulfilling the purposes of God. It was He who came upon the disciples at Pentecost and gave them power to speak with tongues; it was He who spoke to Peter and sent him to Caesarea; and now it is He who speaks to Philip.

Philip is enjoying a gracious time in Samaria. He is preaching and working miracles and casting out demons and healing the sick. In the midst of these good things, the Spirit speaks to him and says: "Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert".

This was on its face, a seemingly strange command. Philip might have argued thus: "Why should I leave this splendid city, where the people with one accord are giving heed to my ministry, and where there is so much of real joy; why leave all of this, and go down a road which is desert?" But Philip did nothing of this kind–"He arose and went".

The next scene takes us from the crowded city to the lonely roadway. A man, an eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasures, had been to Jerusalem for to worship and was returning. He was sitting in his chariot poring over the words: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter".

The eunuch had found no peace of soul in Jerusalem. Perhaps he had gone to the Temple and heard the rabbi; if he had met with any of the Christians who lived there, they had done no more than to help him on the way, perhaps urging him to read the "Cross" chapter in Isaiah.

However that may be, the man was marvelously stirred. He longed for the peace which only Christ can give. But he had no man to guide him.

Now comes the climax of the story. Philip, obedient to the Spirit’s voice is coming hurriedly along the desert way; the Spirit bids him to join himself to the chariot. He obeys, he begins at the same Scripture and preaches Jesus, the eunuch is saved, and baptized, and goes on his way, rejoicing.

But what meaneth all of this? Was it the salvation of one lone man that caused the Spirit to send Philip forth? Yes, and no. It was one soul, a soul worth more than all the world–but it was more. The Holy Spirit saw in that one life a witness for the Truth in far off Ethiopia. The eunuch was saved not only that he might have peace; but, he was saved to serve.

This is the heart of God in missions. A multitude of people in darkness; a man "great" in their midst, seeking the light; this same great man saved and baptized and filled with joy, and doing what a new-born soul always does–preaching Christ to his friends and neighbors, a whole nation touched for God–this is the heart of God in missions.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR