Verse 1. "Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.
And on that day a great persecution began against the church in
Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea
and Samaria, except the apostles."
Many of us are fans of Paul the apostle (a.k.a. Saul), but we all
should recognize that if we met him at the time of this verse, it would
not be a pleasant experience. He was going around, killing and
imprisoning people; ordinary folk, just like you and me. This actually
is very encouraging, because God chose a notorious sinner (Paul), who
was to lead many to Christ. If he can be forgiven (in 2 Timothy 1:3,
Paul said, "I serve you with a pure conscience"), we can, too. If he
can be taken from shame to usefulness, in the sight of God, so can we.
Here’s another instance of the suffering of God’s people (also see
Acts 11:19), and when we studied 2 Corinthians chapter 1, we saw there
is a good outcome for any suffering we might experience (God makes it
so). These people of 2000 years ago, by the way, wanted stability,
healing, safety for themselves and their children, warmth, and food,
just like we do. As a preview of the "good" involved here, you might
look at Acts 8:4, where we will see they were "scattered" away from
their homes and lives, for a purpose - that the Word of God might go
forth.
If you are feeling (about something), "How could this happen to me?",
you might recall these verses, these people of 2000 years ago: There is
a reason for what you are experiencing, right now.
Verse 2. "Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation
over him."
I have loved this verse for many years, and have quoted it to those
who teach that Christians should not grieve, but instead MUST rejoice,
during a time of loss. These people lamented their loss of Stephen
LOUDLY. It is true they only lost Stephen temporarily, and they could
have rejoiced, but they LOVED him, and MISSED him. Notice that God did
not condemn them for what they did. Certainly, the Lord had prophets
all over the place, in the early church, and He could have used them to
speak against this practice, if He wanted to. He did not use them.
The real truth is, that it’s all right to care deeply for someone we
love, and express that loss, when they are gone from us. We know they
are in a better place, but we miss them. And if we do not seem to
grieve the loss of them, it is often really just a mask we wear, and the
tears are only delayed, for a probably less appropriate time. Rejoice
if you can, within trouble (and I am pleased you can do that), but let
the sufferer, who has just suffered loss, grieve in peace. Follow God,
love others, be who you are, and let others do the same.
Verse 3. "But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after
house, and dragging off men and
women, he
would put them in prison."
Jesus had carefully warned them, "They will put
you out of the synagogues; yes the time is coming that whoever kills you
will thing that he offers God service, and these things they will do to
you because they have not known the Father, nor Me" (John
16:2-3). He went on, in the same chapter, to tell them of the Holy
Spirit of God - they would not be alone in their trouble.
You are not alone in your trouble. A lot of people don’t recognize
that the apostles were married men. They had children. Jobs. And they
had given all for Jesus, Who promised them TROUBLE in this world. Yet
they were not alone and neither are you. There is something much more
for you than success in life (which only lasts for awhile), - you will
have success with God (which lasts forever).
Are you a success? Is your life in ruins? Either way, give it all
over to Him. Whatever trouble you may have, lasts only for a moment, in
relation to eternity. And you are not alone.
Verse 4. "Therefore, those who had been scattered went about
preaching the word."
In verse 1, we saw, as in this verse, that the Christians were
forcibly scattered. They lost their homes, and some of them lost their
lives. But they were scattered for a purpose, that something much
higher than personal security would be accomplished through them. We
tend to think the greatest in life is a good job, a happy marriage,
successful children, health, and these are indeed good, but life has -
more.
Joseph Excell, of 100-years ago, who finds these verses carry a
strong suggestion of the Hebrew mind (written by Dr. Luke, from the
Greek culture, but influenced by the Jewish Paul), says this: "They
were all scattered; just as the wind blows the seed to a distance, to
fructify in different places." The problem in your life, which
seems to scatter your hopes and dreams, is intended to do something more
wonderful than you ever could expect. You may or may not understand in
this life, but God has a good purpose for you.
Verse 5. "Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began
proclaiming Christ to them."
God’s choices for life and eternity are interesting. Here is
Philip, alive and preaching, whereas Stephen (both were deacons - Acts
6:5) was taken home to be with the Lord. These were two good men, and
to wonder why the one and not the other, is an excellent consideration -
for you will often wonder about people in YOUR life. Why is this
person alive and that person not? We often don’t know, and that is a
place where FAITH comes in. We TRUST God is doing a perfect work in all
of our lives.
One person has cancer, and another does not, and you might LIKE the
sick one more than the healthy person. Why, God? (Trust in Him).
Stephen had a great ministry, though brief, but which continues to speak
to us, 2000 years later. Philip preached Christ, as in this verse, and
HE did well, also. God is creating a beautiful mosaic out of all of us,
and when we are with Him, we shall praise God - for we will SEE a
work of great beauty; perfectly done, in relation to every one of us.
Trust in Him.
Verse 6. "The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what
was said by Philip, as they heard and
saw
the signs which he was performing."
The phrase "with one accord" is used a lot, in the Book of Acts. An
example is 1:13, when they were in the upper room. The question "How
were they of one accord(?)" can be asked. We know at least one of these
people (Simon, verse 9 & forward), was still in the "gall
of bitterness" (8:23) after he "believed"
(verse 13). How indeed were they of "one" accord? (For Simon’s heart
was not changed).
There is an answer in the MOTIVES of some of them (such as Simon).
These people wanted miracles, just like many people today. We all want
hearts to be changed, the sick to be healed. They believed the words of
Philip and they saw "his" miracles. The danger is when people join the
church, not because they are changed inside, but because they are merely
drawn by the miracle of changed lives.
We’ll take a good look at Simon Magus (the magician), in this chapter
- Sometimes people can believe the words but as stated, do not truly
believe in Christ.
Verse 7. "For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were
coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been
paralyzed and lame were healed."
In 1 Corinthians 12:10, and other places, the gift of "miracles" is
mentioned, but not described. Here, we see the gift in action (in 8:6,
the word "miracles" or "signs" (depending on the translation) is a
direct lead-in to the miracles of this verse. In this gift, the Holy
Spirit literally entered the camp of the enemy and made spoil of him, in
two areas:
Unclean spirits were being flung out of those who had
been captured by the enemy. We also saw Jesus perform a dramatic rescue
of the man of the Gadarenes, as reported in such places as Luke
8:26-40. The paralyzed and lame were being healed, and when I meet
paralyzed veterans at the Spinal building of the VA hospital, in Long
Beach, I think of this verse (you might pray for those at the VA). If
not in this life, certainly in the next, God will RESCUE and heal, all
those who trust in Him.
Verse 8. "So there was much rejoicing in that city."
Jesus said "you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:5).
The first fruits of that baptism, was in Acts 2:4, where those in the
upper room "were all filled with the Holy Spirit." Peter soon gave a
public sermon (a testimony), in which he promised "you
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38),
and in verse 39, we see that the promise extends to all people,
everywhere, of all time, who simply receive our Lord.
Paul said "the fruit of the Spirit" (includes)…joy: You are
to have JOY in the Lord.
Some limit Luke 6:38 ("Give and it will be given to you") to
finances, but life is much more than money. Just give yourself
COMPLETELY to the Lord, and He will give you JOY, "good measure, pressed
down, shaken together, and running over…will be measured back to you."
One last item. The joy in that city (Samaria) was conditional.
They were joyous because many were restored. Let YOUR joy be IN
THE LORD, regardless of your circumstances. Then your joy will LAST,
even in the midst of the difficulties of life.
Verse 9. "Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was
practicing magic in the city and
astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great;"
The name "Simon" is of Jewish origin, but he was more probably a
Samaritan, a people of partly Jewish origin. Whether this man utilized
actual demonic forces, or simply was a sleight-of-hand magician, is not
clear. The fact is, he made great claims, and the people responded to
him. Those of our time are not much different, for we see every day
that most people will respond to any "star" who tends to do the bizarre
or unusual.
The good news is that such a people may be ripe for revival. Excell
viewed it this way: "All over the known world (the people of that time
were) agitated by a vague unrest and a feverish anticipation of some
impending change. Everywhere they turned in their uncertainty to
foreign superstition, and welcomed any religion which professed to
reveal the unknown." Does it sound like America, today? - It sure
does! Pray for revival in our land!
Verse 10. "and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving
attention to him, saying, ‘This man is what is
called the Great Power of God.’"
It is amazing to me that people will reject the one and true God, but
then give god-like status to a mere human being. It is actually GOOD
that our Lord, Jesus Christ, has received such scrutiny by the critics,
over the centuries - for He has stood the test. Hebrews, Chapter 1,
reveals the Son, as God (1;8-9)), and also (verse 10) as the Creator.
The context continues through Hebrews 3:4, where it is declared that "He
(the Creator) who built all things is God."
Yet the same world that has rejected Christ, tends to follow
characters like this Simon Magus. Something very much like worship is
directed to persons such as athletes, movie "stars" and rock singers.
Members of the preceding three categories, cater to you, because YOU
give them money (you buy tickets to see them). From a heavenly
perspective, you are penniless and cannot buy a ticket to heaven, and
yet Christ (the Creator, DIED FOR YOU, that you might live.
Verse 11. "And they were giving him attention because he had for a
long time astonished them with his
magic
arts."
Continued success in the ways of this world, does not indicate the
successful one is acceptable to God. Simon had been at his "sorceries"
(or "magical arts") for a long time. And because he was successful as a
showman, the people listened to him. Not only are the
attainments of this world false (like the false front of a store), but
we are reminded that the world tends to listen to the wrong people.
Verse 12. "But when they believed Philip preaching the good news
about the kingdom of God and the
name of
Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike."
Suddenly, the REAL Power of God was in their midst. This was the
Holy Spirit of God, expressing Himself through Philip the deacon (an
ordinary man, a server of tables - see Acts 6:1-8). A revival broke out
and a lot of people turned to the Lord. But as we shall see in the
next verses, not all of them who believed Philip and were baptized, were
really converted.
Billy Graham, who is an evangelist comparable to Philip, refers to
those who come forward at his crusades, as "seekers." That is, they
want something, and come forward, but not all of those who seek,
actually receive our Lord. To be unsatisfied with our present life
circumstances is not enough. We must repent of our sins, truly
receive Him as Lord, and be willing to experience a life changed BY
Him. Those of us who receive Him, are no longer our own, but we are
His, who died for the sins of the world.
Verse 13. "Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he
continued on with Philip, and as he
observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly
amazed."
We should all take note of this verse (and the ones following), for
we read with great interest, that Simon believed and was baptized, and yet was an unconverted man. How does Simon (and
others like him) fit into Romans 10:9, where Paul says, "if
you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart
that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
The answer is that some really BELIEVE, whereas others only seem
to receive our Lord, for whatever reason. Our churches contain both
classes of people. As we look at Simon, we see a man who became a
friend of Philip, and followed him around, because he was amazed by the
miracles he saw. We of the church need to ask ourselves, "Why are we
here?" The answer should be that we truly love the Lord and love those
people. Paul cautions you and me to "examine
yourselves, as to whether you are in the faith" (2 Corinthians
13:5). Don’t be afraid - prayerfully take a look and who and what you
are. It’s better to find a problem now and repent, than to wait until
you are with Him, and it’s too late. Go to the Lord, examine yourself
with Him and in Him, and then TRUST anew in Him.
Verse 14. "Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent
them
Peter and John,"
The apostles were still in Jerusalem, in spite of the persecution.
They were in the midst of a "storm" of life, but knew they were safe,
for God was protecting them - just as He is protecting you, right now.
Finally, after the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4 &
context), they were able to understand what we now know as Mark 4:39,
where Jesus rebuked the storm, and said "Peace, be still." Jesus can
calm any storm in their lives and in yours. If He has not done so in
your circumstances, there is a good reason.
The apostles remained there, in Jerusalem, and no longer asked
questions like in Mark 4:38: "Teacher, do You not
care that we are perishing?" Of course He cares, as they now
understood. They had been turned to a walk of faith, where their lives
were given to the purposes of God, and the needs of other people. In
that Spirit, two of them were dispatched to Samaria. Notice, by the
way, they sent their very best (Peter and John - God has His best in
store for you).
Verse 15. "who came down and prayed for them that they might receive
the Holy Spirit."
This verse draws lines between the acts of believing (verse 12),
being baptized in water (verse 12), and receiving the Holy Spirit in the
sense of service to others (this verse). Billy Graham, in his book,
"The Holy Spirit," addresses this, in presenting his conviction that the
experience of salvation (being born into new life in God), is separate
from baptism in the Holy Spirit (a preparation for service). Dr. Graham
presents the interesting observation that the whole of this life in
Christ, is a series of infillings by the Spirit of God. He cites John
21:22, and views that event in relation to the apostles as a literal,
rather than symbolic occurrence. Addition "infillings" he observes,
include Acts 2:4, and Acts 4:31, where the same people received
something additional, of the same Spirit. You can see other instances,
as John, in Revelation 1:10, who "was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day."
What we need to discover, as Dr. Graham would agree, is less that we
put our trust in human doctrines (as the mark of Christianity)
and more in our honest love for one another. Love will mark us, and
will be expressed toward God, toward other people, and we will love the
written Word of God. Jesus made this point, in speaking to the
Ephesians (Revelation 2:1-7, especially verse 4), that we can be
doctrinally perfect, walk properly, and yet miss it all, because we have
"lost our first love." He tells such
people to "Repent." It is His prayer, for
all the church, of all time (John 17:20-21), that we are to be "one"
(in love) – every one who truly belongs to Him. The mark of God’s true
people is love.
Verse 16. "For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had
simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
In Acts 8:13, we discussed Romans 10:9, where it is seen that if we
truly BELIEVE, we WILL be saved. It is the "heart" that must be made
new, and baptism is an outward witness that something has been changed
inside. These people had received, and yet they needed what the church
needs today, a touch from the Holy Spirit of God, in order to have the
COMPLETENESS so badly needed by all in this world. In our hearts we
know, that as Christians, we need to agree on Christ, and then
understand that God has infinite resources. He will give endlessly, to
the person who is open to Him. We need to become open to God.
You may ask, what is "baptism" in this context, for some teach we are
saved BY the act of being baptized in water. Some teach you have to be
baptized into THEIR church, and no other, in order to be right with
God. Baptism identifies us with the death of Christ (Romans 6:3), and
also His resurrection (Romans 6:4), that we should walk in "newness of
life." Baptism is WONDERFUL, and it is our testimony to the world, that
we have given up focusing on success in this world, and we have become –
His.
Verse 17. "Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were
receiving the Holy Spirit."
Matthew Henry observes that Philip had the gift of leading the people
to Christ, but Peter and John, had been given the ability to lay hands
upon them, that they might receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Philip had received the Holy Spirit but could not confer Him. There are
many gifts but one Spirit, within the people of God. Matthew Henry
comments (and this is interesting), that Peter was not in charge of the
other apostles, "but he was so far from this that he submitted to an
order of the house, and, as a servant to the body, went whither they
sent him." Peter had been sent to assist Philip’s ministry to the
Samaritans. We should periodically go back and read Philippians 2,
where we see that the true leader in the church, is actually a servant
of all. Peter served, and we should do the same.
Verse 18. "Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through
the laying on of the apostles' hands,
he
offered them money,"
If Simon had truly received Christ, he would have wanted to RECEIVE
the Holy Spirit of God. He saw that the Holy Spirit was being bestowed
on people, through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, and you would
think he would say to himself, "Why, that’s wonderful! I want the Holy
Spirit, too!" But instead, he was ambitious. He wanted, as Matthew
Henry commented, "to have the honor of an apostle, but was not at all
solicitous to have the spirit and disposition of a Christian." His
desire was to gain honor for himself. Our walk with Christ is not about
money, or personal gain.
Verse 19. "saying, Give this authority to me as well, so that
everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive
the Holy Spirit."
Now, Simon’s assumption, in confronting the apostles, was that they
were mercenary men, just like he was. We tend to reveal who WE are, by
the assumptions we make about other people. Simon wanted authority; he
wanted to continue to be called the "Great Power of God" (verse 10).
When we come to Christ, we fall in love. It isn’t about "me" anymore,
it’s about Him. It’s about you, as well. I may or may not have met you
in person, but I love you. I cannot help it, because I am loved by my
Savior, and I must love in return. Simon’s demands that he be
placed in some position of authority, revealed that something was wrong,
deep in the foundation of his supposed belief in our Lord.
Verse 20. "But Peter said to him, May your silver perish with you,
because you thought you could obtain
the
gift of God with money!"
Peter saw right through him. Philip did not. There was nothing
wrong with Philip, by the way, for Peter was merely demonstrating the
gift of "discerning of spirits" (1 Corinthians 12:10). He listened
intently to Simon, as did Philip and John, but it was Peter, with this
gift, who saw to the heart of the person and knew he was false. The
person with this gift, can listen to someone, or read a book they wrote,
and KNOW what kind of spirit was behind that which is said or written.
Is it the Holy Spirit? – You know. Is that which is said or
written, subtly from the enemy? – You simply know.
It was in extremely poor taste, given the setting, for Simon to offer
them money, but it was more, much more that caused this response from
Peter. It was the Spirit of God, Who gave him the discernment to really
understand that Simon’s motives were from the very pit of hell.
Simon was a false Christian, and Peter knew it.
There is no real point in pretending we are something we are not.
God certainly knows the truth about us, and His opinion is the only one
that really matters. His holy angels are watching us (and watching out
for us), all the time. We are never alone, and when we think we are,
we’re just kidding ourselves. "No one will see me" is always an
oxymoron, a false statement. And finally, there really are people just
like Peter, in the church today, with this gift, who can see right
through every one of us. Be who you really are, for there’s no point in
pretending – ever again.
Verse 21. "You have no part or portion in this matter, for your
heart is not right before God."
J. Vernon McGee said about this verse, "This is the reason we know
this man is not converted. Simon Peter declares that his heart is not
right before God…His big interest is money. That was the important
thing to this man." You and I must look at ourselves in this context,
and the question right now is: "What is important to you?"
This verse goes to the a question in the heart of man: How can we
have "part (and) portion" with God? The answer is that our hearts must
become right before Him. There are two parts of becoming right with
Him, in this chapter: Believe in Jesus Christ (verse 12, and be
baptized as a sign of that belief), and receive the Holy Spirit of God
(verse 15).
The question, at the bottom of your soul (How can we become right
with God?), often below the level of conscious thought, has just been
answered. What will you DO about that information?
Verse 22. "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray
the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven
you."
This is a world of wickedness (it’s becoming more apparent all the
time), and we are all guilty before a Holy God. Simon’s predicament was
somewhat more precarious, because he was a hypocrite. That is, he did
something very dangerous, He pretended to be one of God’s own, when he
was not. (God is not pleased with those who pretend they are
His).
There is a Door to God for the sinner, and His Name is Jesus Christ.
Repentance (a change of heart; a change of your ways), and
prayer, are twin keys to open that Door. John (1 John 1:9) teaches
us to "confess our sins". A Way has been
given through the precious cross of Christ, and because of His
provision, "He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Note Peter says "if possible" in the
case of Simon, for Peter, with the discernment of spirits showing him
the heart of this man, saw the blackness of Simon’s heart. It was
doubtful, but all things are indeed possible with God.
Verse 23. "For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in
the bondage of iniquity."
Many years ago, I read an interesting account which asserted that
Simon Magus never did repent, but instead started an apostate (or
counterfeit) church, which was in existence for a number of years. It
is so difficult for the pretender, to ever turn to God. (Pride
gets in the way). The one who is in religion for the money, can seldom
change. Calvin said "Mere knowledge of God can no more connect a man
with God, than the sight of the sun can carry one to heaven."
Each one of us must come to Christ on our own. The work of
salvation, must be ours alone, in Him. Paul said "let
each one examine his own work and then he will have rejoicing in himself
alone, and not in another" (Galatians 6:4). Simon had looked at
the miracles in the lives of the people, and wanted to do the miracles
himself. He needed more than the miraculous. It is the Lord we
need; it is HIM we seek.
Verse 24. "But Simon answered and said, Pray to the Lord for me
yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
Here’s where Simon Magus made his mistake – he did not repent. He
instead asked them to pray that bad things would not happen to
him. Sometimes, a Scripture verse or a sermon, will go directly to
your heart, and point out practices or thoughts in you, that need
correction. When this happens, you must act:
Go to the Lord. As stated before, our Lord is faithful and He is
just. He will forgive and cleanse the person who comes to Him in
confession and repentance. Simon was being rejected in his bid to
become the one to give out spiritual gifts. Did he repent at this
time? No, for he instead asked for a "quick fix" of prayer by somebody
else. He did not even bother to pray to the Lord on his own.
Verse 25. "So, when they had solemnly testified and spoken the word
of the Lord, they started back to
Jerusalem, and were preaching the gospel to many villages of the
Samaritans."
In spite of the fact they had been told "Go
into all the world", it had been hard for them to do so. But
they were getting the hang of it, as we see here – they were "preaching
the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans."
Note they solemnly testified and spoke the Word of the Lord. Matthew
Henry made the interesting observation, "They did not pretend to bring
them anything new, though they were apostles, but bore their testimony
to the Word of the Lord, as they had received it." Our Lord has given
us the written Word of God, and though we plumbed its’ depths for 10,000
years, we could not fathom it all – We don’t need a "new revelation" –
We need the Word of the Lord.
Verse 26. "But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, Get up
and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza. (This is
a desert road.)"
When the apostles went back to Jerusalem, Philip remained, fully
expecting to continue the work in Samaria, which was a populated,
relatively lush area, north of Jerusalem. But an angel of the Lord
spoke to him, directing him to what we know as the Gaza Strip, a
sparsely populated desert area, south of Jerusalem, on the coast of the
Mediterranean Sea. It would seem logical to remain in a populous area
(especially with a people who were turning to the Lord), and Philip must
have wondered about this, as he walked to the barren desert of Gaza.
A question might be, how did the angel speak to him? A
dream? A vision? We are not told, but it should be noted the Lord does
not have to use physical communication to impart information. God
speaks to His people today and the method often used, is
interesting – He causes us to simply KNOW. How does any true pastor
know he is to be a pastor? How does a missionary know which far-off
country is right for them? We just know, for the Holy Spirit,
who lives within us, reveals all that we every need. There are false
angels as well as true. How did Philip know this was one of the "good
ones?" He KNEW, and because he knew, he instantly went (verse 27), no
questions asked.
Verse 27. "So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch,
a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge
of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship,"
The country Philip had been sent to (Gaza), was quite empty. At that
time, you could walk for miles and not see much at all. Some of the
descendents of Ishmael were in that place – would he encounter them, he
perhaps wondered? But then he saw a chariot, containing an official of
a far-off land. Sometimes we are sent to a desert-place in our lives,
and wonder, what is all this about?
Notice that Philip was sent to a man of high influence in his
country. There were two Ethiopias, one in Arabia, to the east, but this
one seems to have been from the one to the south, on the east coast of
Africa (as it is today). He was sent to one man, but a very influential
person, someone who would take the gospel back to his people, and many
would be saved.
Sometimes we do little and few notice what is done. Yet we do not
see that God can take our little and turn it into much. The issue is
God’s strength, God’s purposes, and not our own.
Verse 28. "and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was
reading the prophet Isaiah."
Here was a man who had come a long way, seeking God, and now he was
returning, without fulfillment (I am, by the way, impressed with
the distances people traveled, at that time – This guy came from
Ethiopia!). He was reading a scroll of Isaiah the prophet, and we shall
see (verses 32-33), he was in Chapter 53, of that Book.
Verse 29. "Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go up and join this
chariot."
Often there is quite some time, after God tells you to go, before you
learn what comes next. Faith is built from such experiences. It’s
important to realize that if you go at the first call of God, you will
then be able to experience the joy of His next Touch. Previously, it
had been an angel who spoke to him (verse 26), but now it was the Holy
Spirit of God, Who whispered to his heart, "Go…(to this) chariot."
Verse 30. "Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet,
and said, Do you understand what you are reading?"
The question of Jesus to His disciples was "Have you understood all
these things?" and that is the question to you and me. We may read
His Word, but do we understand? I remember very well reading from
Genesis through Revelation, in 1969-70, and not comprehending a bit of
it. Then I prayed, and God answered that prayer.
Answer this honestly - When you head and read the Word of God, do you
understand? Does it speak to your heart? Let this question echo
around within you. And here’s another: Why do so many Christians read
so little, in the Word of God? The answer to this explains much
of the state of the Church - they do not read, because the Word is not
alive to them.
The door to the understanding of life, you secretly hunger for, is
right here in this Book. But the Key to finding the LIFE it offers, is
the Holy Spirit. Go to God, and "hound" Him with your prayers, until
this Book is recognized as ALIVE with the life of God. He may come to
you directly, or open the Word through a person, but He WILL answer your
prayer.
Verse 31. "And he said, Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?
And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him."
The Ethiopian official's response was a little "testy" and he was
precisely where so many religious people are today. He was reading the
good Word of God, but he did not understand. The Word of God offers
LIFE, but this man, who had sought that life, had not yet received from
God.
Again, as in the commentary on verse 30, God may answer the prayer of
your heart directly, or He may send a person (or persons) to answer your
need. In this case, the man had come all the way to Jerusalem, and was
returning, unsatisfied. Note that God had communicated to Philip in
Samaria, and sent him to Gaza, to the need of this man. If God seemed
to be saying to us, "Go to Gaza," most of us would not go; but Philip
went!
If you don’t understand - pray! God will hear and answer. If you do
understand, and are prompted to go speak to someone about the Lord and
His Word - do so! You may be the answer to prayer for someone in need.
Verse 32-33. "Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was
this: He was led as a sheep to slaughter; and as a lamb before its
shearer is silent, so He does not open His mouth. In humiliation His
judgment was taken away; who will relate His generation? For His life
is removed from the earth."
These verses are a transliteration of Isaiah 53:7-8, a section
dealing with the suffering and death of our Messiah. This prophetic
material was written 700 years before the birth of Jesus, and yet, like
Psalm 22, Isaiah 53 is like an Xray, an explicit picture of His death on
the cross for the sins of the world. The bottom line for Isaiah 53, is
that the Messiah would give up everything for you and for me. His
prerogatives as King, His reputation, His life - He gave it all for
you. He became your Servant, who died in your place.
Verse 34-35. "The eunuch answered Philip and said, Please tell me,
of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?"
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he
preached Jesus to him."
This Ethiopian came right to the point, for he had no idea al all who
Isaiah was speaking about - was it about himself? Someone else? The
Jewish teaching has been that Isaiah was speaking of the Temple, or the
people Israel, but that rendition is not a good fit. The answer is,
that we really cannot know, except that the Holy Spirit of God reveals
His Word. Prophesies, as Matthew Henry pointed out, "had usually in
them something of obscurity, till they were explained by the
accomplishment of them…" And that is an aspect of prophesy we need to
understand.
It is often in the accomplishment of prophesy, that it is finally
understood. There was a famous preacher in the 1920’s, named Otto
Klink (that really was his name) who was giving a "Revelation" series.
He would "announce the truth of 666 next week," he said. He started
that next sermon but never finished it, because he died of a heart
attack right in the middle of his presentation. It is when these
Revelation events OCCUR, that we shall truly understand them.
Isaiah 53 was finally FULFILLED in Christ, 700 years after the words
were spoken. It was at that point, Isaiah’s words became utterly
clear. If you have not read that chapter lately (Isaiah 53), find time
to read it now, for it is beautiful and reveals what the Messiah of
Israel has done for you.
Verse 36. "As they went along the road they came to some water; and
the eunuch said, Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?"
The eunuch’s question is wonderful, and it is answered in the next
verse - it goes right to the heart of what it means to be a Christian.
Do I take on the outward symbols of the Christian religion, and do these
acts qualify me before God? I like the decisiveness of the Ethiopian as
shown in his response. If all this is true about Christ, I’ll get
baptized right now! I want to be a part of this!
And that is important. Christ died for you, that He might have your
whole life. He died that you might LIVE, and live abundantly,
in and for Him. In a church, you often see a FEW people, who do so
MUCH. Christ died for ALL, that we ALL might live for Him (and for each
other, in the Power of God).
Verse 37. "And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you
may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God."
To the man’s request that he be baptized in water (verse 36), Philip
answered: ONLY if you BELIEVE in Christ with all your
heart! Paul said, if you "believe in your heart that God has raised
(Christ) from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). The outward
act is good, but it does not benefit the person, unless the heart is
converted by the Lord. The Ethiopian eunuch understood, for he answered
"I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
And that is the answer needed by every one of us. My baptism will
not save me - I must believe that Jesus is the Son of God. If I
suddenly become charitable and give things to the needy, it does not
make me right before God, unless I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son
of God. Paul said to speak in tongues or prophesy, or to understand, or
to have faith, or give to charity, is nothing, unless we have love (1
Corinthians 13:1-3). And that love comes when we truly believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Verse 38. "And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went
down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him."
When your heart becomes right before Him, God WILL address your
outward needs. One of them will be that you acquire a need to tell
others you belong to Christ, and He allows you to express that need -
through baptism. David, who lived in an outward system of sacrifices,
saw this clearly. "For You do not desire sacrifices, or else I would
give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God
are a broken spirit, a contrite heart - these, O God, You will not
despise…then You will be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness,
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer
bulls on You altar" (Psalm 51:16-19). First the heart becomes right
before God, and then the outward act becomes acceptable.
The sacrifices looked ahead to Christ, and baptism looks back to
Christ. When our hearts are right before Him; THEN He will receive our
outward religious acts. Philip now properly baptized the Ethiopian
eunuch, for the man’s heart was right before God.
Verse 39-40. "When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on
his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he
passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he
came to Caesarea."
I am impressed with the lack of any space-time limitations in
relation to God. Philip was at Gaza, baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch,
and then suddenly he was caught up by the Spirit, and was gone! Philip
now found himself at Azotus, which was about 30-miles to the north (east
of Gaza). We see this also with Ezekiel the prophet. In Ezekiel 8:3,
the prophet seems to have been lifted in vision from Babylon to
Jerusalem. In Ezekiel 3:12-15, he was taken literally from one place to
another.
Daniel (Daniel 8:2) who was also in Babylon, was taken in a vision to
Susa, the capital of Persia. John (Revelation 4:1 & forward), was taken
up to the very throne of God. Was he literally there, or was it a
vision? We do not know for sure, but we do know that God can overcome
any obstacle in your life, and take you anywhere He decides you need to
be. Whether in the heart or in the body, there is no difficulty in your
life too great - God will RESCUE you, and show you all you ever need to
see.
It had become TIME for Philip to leave - he had a work to do in the
cities between Azotus and Caesarea. And God took him there, in an
instant of time, in His power. The Ethiopian official was ready
now. He was in the kingdom of God, and would return to his country and
to tell his people of the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophesy, of his
Savior, Jesus Christ. There is no desert, or prison cell, or hospital
bed that can hold you, and when your purpose in that place is done, you
will not be there, for God will take you and bring great purpose to YOU.
Ron
Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org
