Bible Study - Seize the Day: A Call to Missions - Acts 8:26-35 - May 29, 2016

Bible Study – Seize the Day: A Call to Missions – May 29, 2016

This is a special lesson on reaching out to others who seek truth.

Take your place in GOD’S Mission to the nations.

Our focus scripture is Acts 8:26-35.

In last week’s lesson, the Apostle Paul gave his testimony to King Agrippa. This was a witness to King Agrippa, ordained by GOD, for him to receive the truth of the Gospel of CHRIST and an opportunity for him to accept CHRIST as his Savior. King Agrippa was almost persuaded to accept CHRIST as his Savior but did not at that time. Spiritual seeds were planted into King Agrippa’s life, which gave the Holy Spirit the opportunity to work in his life up to his earthly death, wooing him to accept CHRIST as his Savior. However, the choice was his to make.

This week our study focuses upon once we accept CHRIST as our Savior, our willingness to go witness to those seeking truth, as led by the Holy Spirit.  Christians need to study GOD’S Word and, as suggested in last week’s lesson, to have a two minute and a twenty minute testimony of our encounter with JESUS ready to share with others, as we journey along life’s road.

Christians must keep in mind that GOD equips those HE calls to obediently serve HIM. Christians are to study HIS Word, talk to HIM (Prayer) as we journey with HIM and be ready to respond when HE gives us opportunity.

I remember the first time I witnessed to a man. In the days leading up to my first witness, my wife and I had been meeting with a group of Christians. The LORD had been leading some in our group to bear witness to others. To me witnessing to someone was the scariest thing imaginable. Suppose the person to whom I was witnessing asked a question I could not answer? Or knew more about the Bible than I did? Or the person to whom I was witnessing responded in an angry fashion? Or I turned the person off to ever want to hear about CHRIST? Many questions! Satan fills our minds with many fears to keep us from witnessing. It is important that we be led to witness as GOD gives us opportunity and trust GOD to equip us as needed.

I used to fly a lot. I knew that the LORD wanted me to witness to someone on an upcoming trip. I had two legs to fly on a trip to New York City. On the first leg, as I recall, no one sat next to me. So I concluded that my opportunity to witness either missed the flight or there were some change in plans. I had to change planes in Charlotte, NC. I was among some of the first to board the flight to New York. I sat next to the window. I had the sense that the LORD wanted me to witness to someone on this flight. As more people boarded the flight I was praying and attempting to pick out the person. This person looks good but he or she would go to another seat. The plane was almost full and no one was seated on my row. I began to relax and somewhat relieved but disappointed. These next accounts are a bit over dramatic but consider that I was uptight.  

It seemed that the plane tilted to the left and the doorway darkened. Then the passageway between the first class cabin and coach was filled with a physically fit man. I immediately prayed and said, “LORD this is not the person to whom you want me to witness.” The man sat in the aisle seat on my row. I prayed even harder. The man got up and I felt a sigh of relief. I knew he was not the right person. He went to get a magazine and came back to his seat on my row. We had breakfast and after the flight attendants cleared our trays I began talking to the man.

The first thing I knew, I was giving him my testimony. As I was approaching the end of my testimony I began to pray. “LORD suppose this man becomes angry, he could backhand me and knock me through the seat.” Of course, this was an exaggeration but never the less a thought. As I finished my testimony, the man leaned over toward me and said, “You know what?” I thought here it comes. I was ready for a negative reaction but he said. “You know what, I have been thinking about things like this for some time.” Oh, what a relief it was. The blood drained back in my head and we had a good discussion. He did not pray to receive CHRIST but the seed was planted.

I have found over the years that the LORD prepares the way when HE leads us to witness to others. We must let the LORD lead us and give us the right entry point. I think of our lives, as Christians, are like arrows in GOD’S quiver. HE knows our testimony, witness and our walk with HIM and HE selects us as an archer selects the right arrow to be released to accomplish HIS purpose. Christians must trust GOD to direct their lives according to HIS plan and purpose.  HE equips us according to the need and provides the opportunity. Our part is to be obedient.  

Christians need to keep in mind that they may plant a seed, prepare the soil, add water, add fertilizer or any number of things our LORD calls us to do as we obediently serve in HIS vineyard. We may add a piece of Spiritual understanding to a person’s life which will ultimately lead to that person’s salvation. We must trust. When the LORD leads, HIS purpose always produces positive results. We may never see the positive results but HE does. Christians must be available to give a cup of cold water to those who are thirsty, physically or Spiritually, or encouragement to those who may need a kind word or a hug. Allow GOD to use you as HE desires. HE always prepares the way, as HE leads Christians by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Acts 8:26-27a:

The Conversion of the Ethiopian Official

26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: "Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to desert Gaza."

27 So he got up and went.

Philip was one of those chosen to serve food to the followers of CHRIST to allow the disciples to preach the gospel. Acts 6:5:

Seven Chosen to Serve

1 In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

2 Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, "It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to wait on tables.

3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.

4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry."

5 The proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.

Philip was referred to as “the evangelist.” He was eager to witness to others about CHRIST.

The Jews began persecuting Christians in Jerusalem, which resulted in many Christians leaving Jerusalem to go to other areas. This was GOD’S way of spreading the Gospel of CHRIST to others. It is referred to as the “Diaspora” or the scattering. Philip went to Samaria.

Acts 8:5-8:

5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to them. 

6 The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing. 

7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 

8 So there was great joy in that city.

Philip was busy witnessing in Samaria when the “angel of the LORD” called Philip to leave his ministry and go “south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to desert Gaza."

Philip did not hesitate. He was obedient to his call even though he was serving the LORD where he was. He did not try to second guess the call, he responded.

As Christians, do we respond when we are prompted by the Holy Spirit?

Philip was not told why he was going, he trusted and responded.

Let’s read Acts 8: 27b:

There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem –

Judaism classified worshipers into three categories:

-        

J     Jews because of their race.

-             Proselytes, Gentiles who become full converts to Judaism.

-           GOD-fearers are those drawn to worship the one GOD of the Jews  (monotheism with ethical guidelines).

The Ethiopian eunuch was a GOD-fearer.

We learn the reason for GOD’S call to Philip. There was a high official of the queen of Ethiopia traveling back home after worshiping in Jerusalem. His reference to “Candace” is a title like “Queen Mother.” We learn that he was, in essence, the Minister of Finance in Ethiopia and he was a eunuch.

Eunuchs could have been castrated in order to serve in the harem or it could be the title of a government official. It is not clear if this man was castrated or a reference indicating that he was a government official. The eunuch had been to Jerusalem to worship. He likely bought a scroll which could have been written in Hebrew or in Greek, the universal language at that time.

If he was a eunuch by castration, he would not have been allowed to convert to Judaism but he could have worshiped in the outer courts but not the inner courts of the temple complex.  

In Deuteronomy 23:1 we read:

1 "No man whose [testicles] have been crushed or whose penis has been cut off may enter the Lord's assembly.

But we also read in Isaiah 56:3-5: (A day was coming when this ban recorded in Det. 23:1 would change.)

3 No foreigner who has converted to the Lord should say, "The Lord will exclude me from His people"; and the eunuch should not say, "Look, I am a dried-up tree."

4 For the Lord says this: "For the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold firmly to My covenant,

5 I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters. I will give each [of them] an everlasting name that will never be cut off.

Let’s read Acts 8:28-35:

28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud.

The chariot was likely a four wheeled horse or oxen drawn wagon with some type of cover.

29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go and join that chariot."

The Holy Spirit gave direction to Philip and identified the specific chariot. The Holy Spirit will give all Christians specific direction when they desire to obediently serve our LORD.

30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you're reading?"

This is a reason for all Christians to study the scriptures, to know them and to understand them. Keep in mind that GOD equips so don’t fret over what you do not know but what you do know. Your testimony is one of the most powerful tools in your equipment shed. Trust GOD to lead you to use the right equipment.  

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

The Holy Spirit can reveal truth and HE can reveal truth through Christians either as teachers or through their lifestyle.

32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so He does not open His mouth.

33 In His humiliation justice was denied Him. Who will describe His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.

This scripture is found in Isaiah 53:7-8:

7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, He did not open His mouth.

8 He was taken away because of oppression and judgment; and who considered His fate? For He was cut off from the land of the living; He was struck because of My people's rebellion.

Let’s continue with Acts 8:34-35:

34 The eunuch replied to Philip, "I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about-himself or another person?"

35 So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture.

36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, "Look, there's water! What would keep me from being baptized?" [ 

37 And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart you may." And he replied, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."] 

38 Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer. But he went on his way rejoicing. 

40 Philip appeared in Azotus, and passing through, he was evangelizing all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

The Ethiopian eunuch accepted CHRIST as his Savior was baptized and continued his journey home, rejoicing. GOD had a plan for the eunuch and GOD had a plan for Philip. It appears that the LORD may have transported Philip to Azotus in a mysterious manner. It could be that both men were so filled with the Holy Spirit that the rest of their journey was seemed effortless.

Are we, as Christians, ready to obediently serve when GOD issues us the invitation? Satan will attempt to fill our minds with all sorts of doubts but keep in mind 1 John 4:

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (the spirit world), because the One Who is on you (JESUS) is greater than the one who is in the world (Satan).

Christians are conquers! Claim it! Blessings!!!