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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you,
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"
(Matt. 28:19,20).
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August 21, 2016
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Contents:
1) The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch (Jesse Flowers)
2) News & Notes
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-1-
The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch
Jesse Flowers
When one comes to the eighth chapter of the Book of Acts, one comes
to a very crucial time in the spread of the gospel in the first
century. In the opening verses we read of a great persecution
arising against the church immediately following the stoning of
Stephen. A young, not yet converted Paul, goes about harassing and
tormenting those belonging to the Way. Something which would
normally be viewed as negative, turns into something quite positive:
"Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word" (Acts
8:4).
In the following verse we are introduced to a Christian and gospel
preacher by the name of Philip. Of course, we are first introduced
to him back in Acts 6, Philip being among the seven chosen to serve
in a special capacity in administering to the Hellenistic widows
that were being neglected in the daily distribution. He was chosen
on account of his good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and
wisdom (Acts 6:3). In Acts 8:5, we read of Philip going down to the
city of Samaria in order to preach Christ to them. Preceding Jesus'
ascension he told the apostles that they would be witnesses to him
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the
earth (Acts 1:8). The gospel of Christ had been proclaimed in
Jerusalem and Judea, now the "good news" was brought to Samaria.
Philip is the man who makes his way to this despised area of
Palestine, and there he begins to preach and teach. We find that the
multitudes heeded the things spoken by Philip concerning the kingdom
of God and the name of Jesus Christ, and both men and women were
baptized. What a successful and encouraging beginning for this
evangelist. As a result of his work, lives were being changed, souls
were being saved, and thus a church is started in the city of
Samaria. It is after this grand event that we come to the conversion
of the Ethiopian eunuch. The writer Luke pens these words in Acts
8:26: "Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise and
go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to
Gaza. This is a deserted place...."
For a moment, put yourself in Philip's shoes (sandals). Here you are
in Samaria preaching and large numbers of people are coming to
Christ as a result of your efforts. Then in the midst of all
that success, God instructs you to go to an area where, as far as
you know, there isn't anyone around! The Samaritans are hearing and
obeying and now you're being told to move on -- do you ignore or do
you listen? Well, Luke tells us in five words Philip's response to
the instruction he received from the angel of the Lord, "also he
arose and went." He goes from a well-populated city to an
unpopulated desert. Most likely a strange request to the ears of
Philip, but no questions were asked or hesitations made, for the
instruction was a divine one. Behind him the good news was being
preached, miracles were being performed, and people were being
converted, but at God's instruction he headed to Gaza. What an
amazing attitude Philip possessed! Philip realized that this wasn't
his work he was leaving behind, it was God's. God said, "Go," and
Philip, a man whose heart was sensitive to the word of God, went!
It is interesting to note that Gaza as a destination was really
insignificant for Philip will never make it to the actual city. At
this point, neither Philip nor the eunuch is even aware that the
other exists. Yet out in a deserted place, the road going down from
Jerusalem to Gaza, God will bring the paths of this sincere seeker
and this sensitive teacher together. It is on this road that
we find a political leader riding in his chariot, reading the word
of God and receptive to its truths. We learn that this man was
employed in the service of Candace, who is described as being the
queen of the Ethiopians. This eunuch was placed under tremendous
responsibility for he had charge of all her treasury. He had
traveled at least 800 miles in coming from Ethiopia to Jerusalem,
and he had made that trip in order to worship! As the eunuch
traveled back home he read aloud from the prophet Isaiah.
It is at this point that God will bring these two individuals
together. "Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and
overtake this chariot" (Acts 8:29). Philip, following
the Spirit's direction, engaged the eunuch in conversation. Philip
did not wait for the man to lean out of his chariot to ask him for
help. Rather, Philip took the initiative to ask him simply, "Do you
understand what you are reading?" Philip's tactfulness paid off. For
he asked a question that opened the door for the message of the
gospel to be taught. I believe it is interesting to note that Philip
doesn't shoot into some sermon, but first listens to what the
Ethiopian eunuch is curious about. For part of the eunuch's
curiosity was not what was written, but to whom the passage applied.
First Philip initiated the conversation, next he listened, and then
he began to teach. In fact, beginning at this wonderful
passage in Isaiah 53, Philip proceeds to preach Jesus to him.
Philip recognized that for a man lost in sin, Jesus is the only
issue that really matters! There is a multitude of subjects that can
be discussed at a later time, but Jesus isn't one of them.
One cannot help but to wonder what kind of things Philip spoke of
when he preached to the eunuch about Jesus. Once again, God's word
does not always satisfy all of our curiosities. One subject we know
without a doubt that Philip spoke to the eunuch about was the
subject of baptism. It only makes sense that when one preaches
Jesus, one preaches about baptism. As Philip spoke to this truth
seeker about the identity of the One mentioned in Isaiah 53, the
preacher must have spoken of God's eternal plan in redeeming man
from his sins. And that God's only begotten Son, came to this earth
and gave his life on the cross for the world, in order that all
might have the opportunity to inherit eternal life. Naturally,
Philip explained to this sinner that in order to come into contact
with that precious blood that was shed for him there was a need to
be baptized into Christ. It then makes perfect sense when the reader
comes to verse 36, and sees the response of the eunuch.
"Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the
eunuch said, See, here is water. What hinders me from being
baptized?" How wonderful those words must have been to the ears of
Philip! Both go down into the water, Philip baptizes the eunuch, and
then when they came up out of the water the Spirit of the Lord
caught Philip away. Philip's part in bringing this Ethiopian eunuch
to Christ was through, and the Lord wasted no time to send him
where he was needed next. Some of the sweetest words in all of this
text is found in verse 39, when it simply states that the eunuch
went on his way rejoicing! Because of God's love, mercy, and grace
for one soul he made it possible for this eunuch to hear the "good
news" of salvation. After learning about his loving Savior and
after receiving the forgiveness of sins, how could he do
anything but go on his way rejoicing?! Before meeting
Philip he was without Christ, but after hearing Philip tell him
about Jesus, he found Christ. And didn't each of us go on our way
rejoicing when we came to Christ?!
In the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, we find a
willing teacher + a sincere seeker + the providence of God = the
saving of a soul. Philip started with the road the eunuch was on and
from there led him to the cross. Earlier in Acts we have seen 3000
and 5000 souls saved, and it is easy to be impressed with such
figures. Yet we must never forget that those big numbers represent
individuals, single solitary souls. Philip was in Samaria where he
was experiencing a tremendous amount of responses. God took this
preacher and sent him to a desolate place and brought him across the
path of a man who was searching. Sent him to a city that to our
knowledge he never reached (Gaza), but in the process of his going,
he was able to reach one man for Jesus. One is never a waste of
time, one is never too much trouble, one is never insignificant. May
God always help us to see the value of only one soul, and may that
realization produce a zeal within us to bring as many souls as
possible to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
-- Via Truth Magazine, Volume XLII, Number 1, January 1, 1998
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-2-
News & Notes
Jim Lively returned home from the hospital on the 23rd,
following his open heart surgery. He has been doing
well. Let those of us who are Christians continue to remember
him in prayer as he heals.
In case you missed it last week, here is for those who have been
concerned with helping the brethren in Louisiana who were
affected by the recent flooding. R.J. Evans, who is a
preacher and elder for the Southside church of Christ in Gonzales,
sent me the following message: "A number of brethren from all parts
of the country have been contacting us, wanting to help the families
who have been flooded. Here in Gonzales, LA, the Southside
church has over a dozen families who had their houses flooded.
While this has not received a great deal of national coverage, it is
a historic, record-breaking flood -- the weather service down here
has been referring to it as a 1,000 year flood. It has ranged
from 2 feet to about 6 feet of water in the houses of some of our
members. Some of these families did not have flood
insurance. All the sheet rock, insulation, flooring will have
to be replaced; all furniture and appliances are, for the most part,
destroyed. The cost of repairing and replacing will involve
many thousands of dollars. Based on the pattern in Acts
11:27-30, the four elders of this church (Harris Lefort, Ken
Robertson, Dennis Stutzman, & myself) will distribute these
funds, based upon the needs of each family. We will keep
close, detailed records of this special fund (names, amounts,
etc.). Should we start receiving funds that are not longer
needed, we will return them, and notify others. If any
receiving this information would like to contribute, please make the
check out to the Southside Church of Christ. On the check, you
might want to write 'elders -- for families flooded' -- or something
similar. Please send to: Southside Church of Christ, P.O.
Box 686, Gonzales, LA 70707. Words cannot express
how thankful we are for your prayers, care, concern, and willingness
to help. May God continue to bless all of you in His service.
R.J.E. (Please feel free to forward this to those you believe
would like to receive it.)"
Prior to moving to Georgia in June 2014, I (Tom Edwards) had lived
in Denham Springs for 12 years. For the last four of those
years, I was also attending, in addition to the Tuesday midweek
services in Baton Rouge, the Wednesday evening services where R.J.
preaches and teaches. It was always good to be with the
brethren in Gonzales, and I know and respect all of these men
mentioned above who are serving as elders there.
WordPress version of this week's bulletin:
https://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com/2016/08/27/the-gospel-observer-august-21-2016/
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel, for that is how faith comes (Rom.
10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the deity of Christ (John 8:24; John
3:18).
3) Repent of sins (Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9,10; Acts
8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark
16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith, living for the Lord; for, if
not, salvation can be lost (Heb. 10:36-39; Rev. 2:10; 2 Pet.
2:20-22).
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Tebeau Street
CHURCH OF CHRIST
1402 Tebeau Street, Waycross, GA 31501
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10
AM & 5 PM (worship)
Wednesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (912) 614-8593
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://thegospelobserver.wordpress.com
(Gospel Observer website with pictures in WordPress)
http://thomastedwards.com/go
(Older version of Gospel Observer website without pictures, but
back to March 1990)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html
(audio sermons)