{"id":747,"date":"2021-02-05T14:32:10","date_gmt":"2021-02-05T19:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/?p=747"},"modified":"2021-02-05T14:57:20","modified_gmt":"2021-02-05T19:57:20","slug":"a-man-along-lifes-highways-acts-825-40","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/?p=747","title":{"rendered":"A Man Along Life&#8217;s Highways                         Acts 8:25-40"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p style=\"text-align:center\">Lesson 14<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\">A Man Along Life\u2019s Highways<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align:center\">Acts 8:25-40<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;I can remember as a\nteenager deciding to read through the book of Isaiah.&nbsp; Why that book was chosen has faded from my\nmemory.&nbsp; What I discovered was that it\nwas not easy I thought it would be, especially when the only translation\navailable to me was the King James Version.&nbsp;\nAfter reading a few chapters I became so confused that I quit.&nbsp; I could not tell who was speaking.&nbsp; Was it God or Isaiah, I just could not\ntell.&nbsp; Because of my confusion the task\nbecame overwhelming.&nbsp; Having experience\ntrying to understand I can identify with the Ethiopian Eunuch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even when I seriously began to study the Bible, I found that\nI needed to start with the easiest editions to &nbsp;understand what was being said.&nbsp; Some of the ones that helped me are no longer\navailable.&nbsp; The Good News for Modern Man\nand the Living Bible both aided me in understanding God\u2019s word.&nbsp; Even as I progressed into translations I\noften used the paraphrase Living Bible to get the meaning of the passage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the reasons we do not feel comfortable and try to avoid\nsituations like the one in which Phillip found himself is our lack of\nunderstanding of God\u2019s word.&nbsp; Many of us\nwould have to trouble to explain almost and passage clearly.&nbsp; We just do not spend the time in His word\nthat it is obvious that the Jew and Christian did.&nbsp; Because of our biblical illiteracy the church\nhas suffered in its attempt to face the criticism and to be able to argue on\nChrist\u2019s behalf.&nbsp; The idea of arguing is\nto be able to defend truthfulness of the Scriptures against its opponents.&nbsp; Believe me they are increasing and are being\nemboldened by our lack of knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Acts 8:25<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Peter and John spent time in Samaria reinforcing what the\npeople had been taught by Phillip.&nbsp; They\ntook advantage of the trip back to Jerusalem by preaching in other cities along\nthe way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Acts 8:26<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following his experience in Samaria Phillip was directed to\ngo down to the Road leading to Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What did God not leave him in Samaria to help\nthe church to grow?<\/li><li>How would you have responded to the strange\ncommand to leave a dynamic ministry to go to the road that descended from\nJerusalem to Gaza?<\/li><li>What does Phillips obedience say about his\ncharacter?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Acts 8:27-28<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We begin to see the reason that Phillip was ordered to go to\nthe Gaza Road out in the desert.&nbsp; Let us\nlook at what the Scripture shares with us about the Ethiopian Eunuch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>He was probably from present day Sudan and not\nthe country we now know as Ethiopian.<\/li><li>His position with Candace was that of a\ntreasurer.&nbsp; Candace may have been a\ndesignation for the queen mother of his country and not a proper name.<\/li><li>He had been to Jerusalem to worship and was\nreturning home.<\/li><li>His choice of reading would have been somewhat\nstrange since the Jews did not accept the idea of a suffering messiah.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The narrative leaves us questions about this man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Why would he have gone to Jerusalem to worship?<\/li><li>As a eunuch what could he expect his reception\nby the Jews to be?<\/li><li>Why would he have come to Jerusalem to take part\nin the Jewish religion?<\/li><li>What does this say about his relationship with\nGod?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>His pilgrimage to Jerusalem would indicate some things about\nhim.&nbsp; Like many he had probably become\ndisenchanted with the worship of the false gods that was so pervasive in his\ncountry.&nbsp; They left him empty thus\ncausing him to turn to the religion of the Jews.&nbsp; He was either proselyte or a God-fearer.&nbsp; A proselyte would be a person, even though\nnot a Jew by birth, who accepted the Law and was circumcised into the Jewish\nreligion.&nbsp; The person who was a\nGod-fearer was one who did not accept the idea of circumcision or like the\nEthiopian Eunuch who because of his physical condition would not be allowed to\nworship in the assembly of the Jews but believed in the God of the Old\nTestament.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Acts 8:29-33<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other than the prompting of the Holy Spirit Phillip would\nhave no reason to approach the chariot.&nbsp;\nPhillip was commanded to \u201cgo up to and join the chariot.\u201d&nbsp; When he did he noticed the man was reading\nfrom Isaiah.&nbsp; Notice his greeting to the\nman.&nbsp; He said, \u201cDo you understand what\nyou are reading?\u201d&nbsp; What an odd to ask\nsomeone whom you have never met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Why would the Ethiopian have chosen Isaiah 53 to\nread?<\/li><li>Why did Phillip feel comfortable asking the\nquestion that he did?<\/li><li>How would you have done in the same\ncircumstances?<\/li><li>What does this encounter say about the spiritual\ncondition of the man?<\/li><li>Why do you think he was he had or had not found\nanswers in his search for a relationship with God?<\/li><li>What might this say about the Jewish religion\nand its abilities to meet the needs of man?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The man then answered Phillip with total honesty.&nbsp; Having been to the seat of the Judaism he had\nnot found the answers for which he was earnestly seeking.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Acts 8:34-35<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The question the Ethiopian asked opened the door for Phillip\nto share with him the full counsel of God.&nbsp;\nThe man asked an important question about the identity of the person\nabout whom Isaiah was writing. We are told that Phillip began from Isaiah 53:7\nand taught him about Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Why could the Jews not explain this passage to\nthe Ethiopian?<\/li><li>What was Phillip able to tell him?<\/li><li>How could he go about convincing this man that\nJesus was the fulfillment of this Scripture?<\/li><li>If this was the beginning point of his teaching\nwhat other evidences could Phillip use from the Old Testament?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Acts 8:36-39<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>What was the reaction to the teaching of\nPhillip?<\/li><li>How did the Ethiopian know about baptism?&nbsp; All proselytes would have been baptized into\nthe Jewish faith.<\/li><li>What further explanation was needed before the\nEthiopian could be baptized?<\/li><li>What was his response that convinced Phillip\nthat the man was truly a candidate for baptism?<\/li><li>If you were to judge what took place there in\nthe desert would conclude that the new found faith was based on fact or\nemotion?&nbsp; Why do you answer the question\nin the way you did?<\/li><li>What was the reaction of the man after being\nbaptized?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Acts 8:40<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once again we see that Phillip\u2019s task was complete as he was\nsnatched away and found himself in Azotus.&nbsp;\nHe continued from that point and preached all the way over to\nCaesarea.&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thoughts to contemplate over the next week<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>&nbsp;How would\nyou react if confronted with a like unexpected situation?<\/li><li>What are doing in your life that will prepare\nyou for some a time?<\/li><li>Do you see yourself more like the Ethiopian with\nmore questions than answers or Phillip who was able to answer the questions\nbecause he was prepared both in knowledge and sensitivity to the Spirit?<\/li><li>Look for someone who might begin to mentor you\nif you believe that you need to grow in your relationship with Christ?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>As a church we need to take seriously the responsibility of\ndiscipleship.&nbsp; We should never want to\nleave anyone in the position of the Ethiopian who left a time of worship in\nJerusalem without the answers to life\u2019s questions.&nbsp; We can accomplish this kind of discipleship\nby providing solid Bible teaching in on campus and off campus small\ngroups.&nbsp; Those who are wise and mature in\ntheir faith should be willing to mentor those who need to grow in the\nfaith.&nbsp; What would our church look like\nif this was one of the essentials to be addressed by all of us?&nbsp; We could then turn loose on the world\nStephens and Phillips to be able to give answers for the fact of Jesus Christ\nand what He has done for us.&nbsp; Are each of\nus ready to get in line to go to Samaria, Gaza, Azotus and Caesarea? &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other Notes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RT-A person may go to the very seat of a religion and\nstill come away spiritually empty.&nbsp; A\nreligion can never satisfy the void in one\u2019s life.&nbsp; It will always leave one famished and\nthirsty.&nbsp; Only when he has the truth come\nalive as revealed in God\u2019s word can he experience the fulfillment which comes\nto him in Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:26-31)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>C-After the events in Samaria Philip was directed by\nan angel to go to the road between Jerusalem and Gaza.&nbsp; There he encountered the Ethiopian eunuch who\nwas reading from the book of Isaiah as he travelled, having come from worshipping\nin Jerusalem.&nbsp; Philip was told to go up\nto the man\u2019s chariot where he began a conversation with the man by asking him\nwhat he was reading and did he understand it.&nbsp;\nThe eunuch invited Philip into the chariot.&nbsp; Philip then explained the passage from Isaiah\nas it related to Jesus.&nbsp; Upon hearing the\ninterpretation the eunuch wanted to be baptized having become a believer.&nbsp; He was baptized by Philip and went on his way\nhome a new man. (Acts 8:26-38)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DM-Phillip was obedient to the instructions of the\nangel.&nbsp; He encountered the\nEthiopian.&nbsp; He was the right man for the\nright time.&nbsp; Because of his knowledge of\nthe Old Testament prophecy he was able to answer the questions in way that led\nthe Ethiopian to receive Christ. (Acts 8:26-38) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DM-As important as it was for Phillip to be there on\nthe Gaza Road, God was already preparing the heart and mind of the Ethiopian to\nhear what Phillip would share with him.&nbsp;\nHe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Had\nalready been to Jerusalem to worship.<\/li><li>Was\nreading from the book of Isaiah about the suffering of the Messiah.<\/li><li>Was\nopen to the interpretation of the Scripture given by Phillip.<\/li><li>Believed\nin Christ and was baptized.<\/li><li>Went\non his way rejoicing at his new found faith.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>(Acts 8:26-38)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>S-Philip was sent down to Gaza.&nbsp; There he would encounter the Ethiopian.&nbsp; By this act of faith he was able to lead the\nEthiopian to the Lord. (Acts 8:26-38)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>OC-The Ethiopian eunuch had been to the very center of\nthe Jewish religion.&nbsp; He came away from\nJerusalem with questions unanswered that is until he met up with Philip, one of\nthe seven deacons.&nbsp; Turning to the\npassage the eunuch was reading he used it to lead him onto the path to a new\nlife. (Acts 8:27-37)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>GC-People are to receive guidance in a way that they\nwill understand what the Scripture&nbsp;\nsays.&nbsp; This guidance implies a\nresponsibility on everyone\u2019s part to read and study on their own in order to\ngain understanding. (Acts 8:31; Rom. 15:4)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>GC-Whenever we teach or preach about Jesus it should\nalways from the background of the Scripture. (Acts 8:35)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>GC-To be effective in our witness we must use the\nScripture as our foundation to show Christ to the world. (Acts 8:35)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>RT-The beginning point of every opportunity to witness\nis to be the Scriptures.&nbsp; Even though the\nexact words may not be quoted, it is the source of the salvation narrative and\nthe plan of God. (Acts 8:35) <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>C-The Spirit of God snatched Philip away and he found\nhimself in Azotus.&nbsp; He preached not only\nthere but along the way until he came to Caeserea. (Acts 8:39-40)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>S-What a way to be sent to a new mission field, Philip\nwas snatch up after the Ethiopian was baptized and was plopped down in the\nmiddle of Azotus.&nbsp; He immediately began\nto preach as he went on his way.&nbsp; (Acts\n8:40)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DM-Phillip preached wherever he was sent. (8:40)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>GC-We are to share the gospel everywhere we go.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;\n(Acts 8:40; 13:5; Rom. 1:15; 15:19-20)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lesson 14 A Man Along Life\u2019s Highways Acts 8:25-40 &nbsp;I can remember as a teenager deciding to read through the book of Isaiah.&nbsp; Why that book was chosen has faded from my memory.&nbsp; What I discovered was that it was not easy I thought it would be, especially when the only translation available to me [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-acts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=747"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":753,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/747\/revisions\/753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/biblicalmastery.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}