Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 101, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1916 — DEACON PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DEACON PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN

Acts B:2G-ft—March 19. Another Faithful Deacon In the Early Church—A Gentile ‘fFeeling After God” —Co-ordination of Divine Providences Bringing "these Together. "Vnderetandest thou what thou readestt”— Acts 8:30. Deacon philip was just such a mamas the Lord is pleased to j use in the service of the Truth. ! Huving proved himself faith- ! ful in the work of serving tables, he had been made an ambassador for God ! in the preaching of the Gospel at Samaria. Faithfulness in little things is sure to bring larger opportunities. We are not informed by what means “the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip,” sending him to the road on which lie would find the eunueh’s chariot. It was a time when the Lord used miraculous means of communication jnore than at present, doubtless for tile very purpose of establishing both the faitli and the work of Ilis servants. Today we walk more by faith, less by sight and miracle. Yet so bright is the Jigiit shining upon the Word that we have much advantage every way, even over the early Church. There were no New Testament writings then. Tile eunuch belonged to the kingdom of Meroe, which lay on the right bank of the Nile, and thence east to the mountains of Abyssinia. He was a court officer, evidently deeply religious, who had come

into contact with the Jewish religion. In ids religious fervor he had gone up to Jerusalem to \vor-_ ship and to gain additional knowledge of the true God. Evidently this occurrence was after the close of Israel's

“seventy weeks” of special favor; for this eunuch was not a Jewish proselyte in every sense, eunuchs not being granted tlie privileges of the congregation. The eunuch had come away from Jerusalem with a manuscript copy of the Prophet Isfiiah’s writings—a very costly treasure in those times. That ho was doing more than simply reading aloud is evidenced by his language to Philip. The question. “Understandest thou what thou readest?” was a test, so to speak. If the eunuch understood what he was reading, he would have gladly said, "Yes, friend, I thank God that I do. Do you also understand it?” But bad he been in the wrong condition of heart, his answer might have been, “Mind your own business!” Or had lie been hypocritical, he would have professed a knowledge of the subject and then, to cover his real ignorance, would have turned the conversation into another channel.

The Gospel For the Meek.

It was evidently of Providence that the eunuch was considering Isaiah 53. Like the majority of the prophecies, this could be understood only in the light of its fulfillment, and then only by those iu proper heart attitude and under the instruction of the Holy Spirit. Deacon Philip had been taught of God through the Apostles, and was now able to communicate to .the eunuch the simple story of the Gospel—that Christ had come into the world to redeem mankind, had died for man's sin. had arisen and ascended to glory; that now God was calling out an elect Little Flock to be joint-heirs with Jesus in the Kingdom; and that as soon as this election should be completed. The Messiah (Jesus the Head, and the Church His Bodyi would he manifested in ruling and blessing jiower to all mankind. —Aits 3:19-23

Undoubtedly Philip further ex plained to the eunuch that those who accepted Christ as their Savior, and who desired to become His disciples, taking

up their cross to follow Hi m. should give their ass on t to this matter by baptism. Apparently it did not take the eunuch long to deci d e what his course should lie; and ' his readiness of heart to follow llie Lamb is indicated by bis

promptness to be baptized. Philip was ready to receive the eunuch as a fellow-memi»er of the Church of Christ and to administer to him the symbol of introduction into the Body of Christ—baptism—as soon as the eunuch gave evidence of having accepted tfie Lord and of having made consecration to Him. He made no refinest that the eunuch learn the catechism or confess something else, such as well-meaning but mistaken men in the Dark Ages promulgated as necessary and as explanatory of tin* Bible. Neither did he say. ”1 will write your name as a member of the Church and will procure for you authority to preach flic Gospel in Ethiopis." No; at that time the subject was not confused, befogged, as it is now.

'On the contrary, Philip preached the Gospel ‘in its simplicity; and the eunuch received it in like manner. Moreover, with the Gospel itself went the right and the authority to declare it. (Isaiah <>1:1-3; Jeremiah 23:28.) All who have received the anointing of the Spirit, the unction from the Holy One. are thus fully commissioned to tell forth the Good Tidings*.

"[?] Thou Believest.

The Ethiopian cunuch.