Ethiopia's First Missionary

Ethiopia’s First Missionary

2013-07-28

Acts 8:26-40

This is a beautiful illustration of God’s sovereign providence as He worked out all details to save 1 individual & begin evangelization of the African continent.

·      It was a seemly unwise strategy: to pull Philip from roaring revival in Samaria to reach 1 man in desert.  Act 8:5-8, 26-29, Mt 18:12

God “led” Philip indirectly to Samaria out of necessity (fear persecution) & then extraordinarily guided Philip w an “angel of Lord” (OT) & Holy Spirit (NT). 

·      Bible does not rule out special guidance for today. Ps 19:1, Rom 2:15, 1 Cor .12:8–10

·      Scripture is all we need to be saved, grow spiritually, and determine right and wrong.

o   It is also sufficient for assessing and discerning all other kinds of revelations.

·      Pray for eyes to see, and ears to hear when Holy Spirit calls to divine appointment.  Lloyd-Jones

o   Holy Spirit has never audibly spoken to me like Phillip but I have had the Holy Spirit prompt me. 

o   It is wrong think direct supernatural guidance is more spiritual than indirect.

§  Easier to determine God’s desire with direct guidance.

o   Faith trusts God when we do not see (angel/vision), & we don't need to. 2 Cor 5:7  

The key for ordinary & extraordinary Holy Spirit guidance is being Spirit-filled like Philip.

·      He obeyed the illogical command w/o questioning God & went not knowing all that God had in mind.   Just like Abraham.

o   Follow Holy Spirit’s leading, even if it seems like demotion.

Governmental power in hands of queen Candace (this was not a personal name but a title)

o   The royal son was considered too sacred to be involved in secular affairs.

·      Extremely high-placed, trusted, well-educated, wealthy Secretary of Treasury returning 500 miles home to Ethiopia reading Isaiah. After worship God in Jer.

·      God is sovereign: Isaiah 53 (all implied in text) is the best OT picture of Jesus Christ—the suffering Servant’s coming, providing a substitutionary death, resurrection, and offer of eternal life. Act 8:30-34

Humbly expressed frustration everyone reading Bible…What means?

·      Do you understand what you read in Script or just read? Ps 119:18, 2 Tim 2:15, 1 Pet 3:15

·      Pray for understanding from Author of Bible & creator of mind…then study. 

o   Spurgeon: Butterflies flit over but bees dive into flowers & receive stomachs filled w/sweetness for their hives.

Philip knowledgeable enough in Scripture to know to begin where Ethiopian was.

·      1^st Gentile convert specifically mentioned in Acts was an African who was not won by an apostle but layman/deacon.

·      Effective gospel presentation based solidly on Scripture,  and the person and work of Jesus Christ.

o   not personal testimony, stories, tracts, etc., Rom 1:16, 10:17

See how the Gospel crossed racial differences (Greek/Ethiopian), religious differences (Jew/Gentile), and vocational differences (evangelist/government worker), socio-economic differences (poor/rich) in order to save a black Gentile eunuch.

·      His physical status is highly significant. Deut. 23:1, Isa 56:3-5

o   law prohibited eunuch from entering temple & inheriting Abrahamic promises but God pursued & saved the unclean and unworthy eunuch.

it was no coincidence that at precisely a critical time they came to water. Act 8:35-40

·      After baptism Phillip was instantly transported 20 miles away & disappeared from Acts. But 20 years later we read about him in Caesarea with 4 daughters who were all prophetesses. Act 21:8-9.

o   The eunuch was viewed as father of evangelism in Ethiopia. Ps 68:31; 87:4

God sovereignly brought each of us here today.

·      Salvation is a gift of divine mercy to the guilty/unworthy, not reward for works.

o   Isaiah: Jesus Christ makes us acceptable to God & fit to dwell with Himself in glory.

·      Christians should rejoice & be open to ordinary/extraordinary leading of HS. Spirit-filled

o   Anywhere (neighborhood, gym, club) could be your passing chariot or open door that God has prepped for gospel with results that may reach the nations or forever impact your life.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones…Here again is a most extraordinary subject, and indeed a very fascinating one, and, from many angles, a most glorious one. There is no question but that God's people can look for and expect "leadings," "guidance," "indications of what they are meant to do.  If you read the history of the saints, God's people throughout the centuries and especially the history of revivals, you will find that this is something which is perfectly clear and definite—men have been told by the Holy Spirit to do something; they knew it was the Holy Spirit speaking to them, and it transpired that it obviously was his leading. It seems clear to me that if we deny such a possibility we are again guilty of quenching the Spirit.” (The Sovereign Spirit, pp. 89–90)