In this installment of Guidance for the End Times: A Study of the Book of Acts, we will discuss biblical evangelism. Remember the Bible is the instruction manual that God gave us to navigate through this life. As the end approaches closer, we must be rooted in the teachings of God the Father and Jesus Christ. See Matt. 7:21-27.
First Century Evangelism
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. (Acts 8:26-28)
In the last installment, we discussed verse 26 and the first clause in verse 27. An angel of the Lord told faithful Philip to go to Gaza, and he went. While there, he has an interaction with an Ethiopian man who was reading out of the book of Isaiah. We are told that this man had come up to Jerusalem to worship.
These two points show us that the Ethiopian man had some knowledge of the true God like the Samaritans (See John 4:1-30,39-42, emphasis on verse 22). Read Acts 8:29-31. The Ethiopian man declared that he needed guidance to understand what he was reading. Similarly, the Samaritans knew of a Messiah, but Jesus explained that they did not truly understand what they were worshipping.
The importance of focusing on this point is to talk about true evangelism. Christians must let go of the ideas they see in movies, television, and other forms of media. Jesus set the standard for evangelism, and the early disciples followed it. Unfortunately, modern Christianity has moved very far away from the example of Jesus Christ.
Note that the Ethiopian had some knowledge of the true God. This man even travelled to Jerusalem to worship God. The Holy Spirit sent Philip to this man. Philip was not sent to a complete nonbeliever or someone openly hostile toward God. Modern evangelism would have us believe that we must go attempt to convert everyone, especially nonbelievers.
If we look at the example of Jesus, we can clearly see that Jesus went to people who had some understanding or knowledge of the truth. He did not go the unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees. They followed Him around to try to discredit Him. Jesus went in the synagogues to teach people. He taught people who were looking for the Messiah. See Matt. 4:23; Matt. 13:54; Luke 4:14-16, 44; John 6:59; John 18:20; John 1:37-51.
Please read the listed verses carefully. When Jesus evangelized, He did not go to people who had no faith in the promises of God. He went to those who needed a better understanding than they had. Jesus Christ evangelized those who knew they needed the Messiah (See Mark 2:16-17).
Also, consider how Jesus trained the twelve apostles in Matt. 10:5-14. Verse 11 reads, “And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.” He told them to “enquire who in it is worthy.” This is not how modern evangelism is conducted. Evangelism is not manipulative or a continuous lecture about giving your heart to Jesus Christ. It is about letting God through His Spirit show who is worthy and teaching that person the true gospel.
Biblical evangelism is discriminatory. We can see this fact throughout the Bible. God does not deliver the truth to anyone and everyone despite what modern Christianity teaches. Note the following verse:
“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” (Matt. 7:6)
Jesus does not speak idle words that we can choose to ignore because those words make us uncomfortable. We must live by all of His teachings. Jesus taught His disciples to preach the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. Read Matt. 13:45-46.
Preaching this message of the coming kingdom of God to someone who has no interest in serving the Living God is like casting pearls before swine. There is no evidence in the Bible that shows Jesus or the apostles indiscriminately preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Nevertheless, there are examples of Jesus and the disciples correcting false understandings publicly. One such example can be found in Acts 17:18-31.
Paul gave this message because the Epicureans and the Stoicks pressed him. Read verses 16-17. Originally, Paul only talked to those in the synagogue, devout persons, and those who came to him because he noted that the city was given over to idolatry. Clearly, Paul was doing what Jesus taught in Matt. 10:11. Then the Epicureans and the Stoicks came to Paul because they heard rumors about his strange doctrine. Please reread Acts 17:16-21. Paul did not go to these men; they came to him.
Paul did what Peter wrote about in his letter. Read 1 Peter 3:15 several times. Yes, we should be ready to tell others about the hope that is in us if asked. Note that the word translated as answer means a plea. A plea is an answer to allegations. Jesus, Peter, Stephen and Paul responded to allegations against them with the true gospel, but they did not indiscriminately preach to those who had no real interest in the word of God. You can read the accounts of this truth for yourself in the Synoptic Gospels and the Book of Acts.
The most important thing to note about this encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian man is that Philip was willing to listen to the prompting of the Spirit. He did not resist what the Spirit told him to do. Acts 8:30 says that Philip ran over to the chariot of the Ethiopian man. Philip did not hesitate; he ran over to the chariot. This shows an eagerness to spread God’s good news.
Are you eager to spread the good news of the coming kingdom that will be ruled by the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you willing to run to the job at hand? As far as we can tell Philip did not have a preplanned script, pamphlets, booklets, tracts, signs, convincing arguments, or any other tactic that men have developed over the centuries. Philip simply ran over to the chariot and heard the man reading. This man had his own copy of scriptures which indicates he was interested in the word of God!
Again, biblical evangelism is about going to the worthy with God’s message. Philip did not decide who was worthy! He was shown who was worthy. Consider that he did not preach to the Ethiopian man’s entourage. Philip preached to who the Spirit showed him to preach to. Philip was eager to do this. He ran to do the job. Philip did not force God’s word on this man. He was invited by the Ethiopian to join him in the chariot which is no different than being invited in the house of a worthy person (See verse 31).
In these last days, we must be willing to listen the Spirit of God when we are prompted to preach. We must be eager to do this work but not take it upon ourselves to do things however we see fit.
Evangelism is God’s work. We must be willing to yield ourselves as instruments of righteousness in God’s hands (Rom. 6:12-13, 22). If we yield to what and how God wants us to do things, we will produce fruit unto holiness which leads to everlasting life!
In an end time prophecy, Daniel records the following: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” (Dan. 12:3)
These are the end times Daniel wrote about. We must be willing to yield ourselves as instruments of righteousness in the hands of God that are used to turn many to righteousness. An instrument does do whatever it wants to do. An instrument is at the behest of the wielder. The first century church were instruments of God that were used to turn many to righteousness. The end-time church must be the same!
The Words of Isaiah and Philip
In Acts 8:32-33, we see what the Ethiopian man was reading. It comes from Isa. 53:7-8. Compare the two carefully. Some may declare this as contradiction, but the Hebrew and Greek meanings of these words match up. For example, humiliation in Acts 8:33 means to be made low and from prison in Isa. 53:8 means oppression or vexation. There is obvious change in the word usage; however, the meaning is not lost. Please investigate this for yourself using a Bible concordance.
This prophecy shows that someone who was innocent of all guilt would be murdered without disputing the allegations. This person would be made low (humbled) and put on trial unjustly. Who shall declare His generation means who shall tell about His life (His work or doings). Please note that the word “for” in old English often means because. Therefore, the question is: who shall tell about what He did because His life was taken away from the earth?
It is likely that Philip continued to read the rest of that prophecy to the Ethiopian man. See Isa 53:9-12. Also look at the last clause of Isa. 53:8 which says, “for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” From this clause to verse 12 is the explanation of why this person was going to be murdered. These verses explain that it is God’s will to sacrifice the person as an offering for sin to justify many (see verses 10-11). The word justify means to make right or cleanse. This prophecy explains that it is the will of God to sacrifice someone without sin to cleanse many of their sins. This shows that God planned to redeem many through a savior.
Acts 8:35 says that Philip began to read at the same scripture, but it does not tell us where he stopped reading. Philip explained to the Ethiopian man how Jesus Christ fulfilled this prophecy he was concerned with. Philip was declaring His generation!
Christians in these end times need to be as willing and eager to explain prophecy when the occasion arises. This means we must be knowledgeable of these biblical truths. Unfortunately, many who study prophecy are very speculative about how prophecy will be fulfilled rather than focus on the prophecies that have already been fulfilled.
Baptism
It is obvious that Philip spoke to the Ethiopian about more than what is written in the Book of Acts. We can know this because of verse 36. The Ethiopian asks about being baptized which means Philip would have had to talk to him about baptism. In verse 37, we see the condition for baptism. Philip says, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
This condition is not a light condition. What does it mean to believe with all your heart? This question is a hard one to answer because it is hard to fathom giving all of your affection to one thing. Let’s look at a few verses to glean a better understanding.
First, Jesus says that the greatest commandment is “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matt. 22:37) This implies that loving God with all your heart is not a singular action. It is simultaneous or in conjunction with loving God with all your soul and mind.
It is important to look at the original Greek from which these words were translated from. Heart means the heart, i.e. figuratively the thoughts or feelings; also the middle according to Strong’s Concordance. Please read Matt. 15:16-20. Jesus says that out of the mouth proceeds the things of the heart. Jesus then goes on to list things that violate God’s commandments. The reason why this teaching is important is because humans speak about things that fester within. If there is any wickedness in us, it will come out in the things that we say. Our words expose the evil or the good that we have internalized.
We must learn to examine ourselves by what we talk about. It is proof of what is in our hearts. Are we passionate about God and His righteousness or something else? Stop and reflect on what you spend most of your time talking about. Ask your friends and family to get an objective view of what you talk about frequently. You cannot love God with all your heart if your heart is filled with other things! See Matt 6:25; Matt. 12:34-37; Luke 6:45
The word soul means breath according to Strong’s Concordance. This word is often translated as the word “life.” This is about physical life. Note Matt. 6:25. This Greek word is translated twice as life in this verse. Life began when God breathed into Adam’s nostrils (see Gen 2:7). Notice the phrase “breath of life.” If we stop breathing, we stop living. Also see Matt. 16:26 where the same Greek word in the greatest commandment is translated as soul. Clearly, this Greek word is talking about physical life and not a spirit within mankind.
God requires that every breath we take is used in service to Him. Our lives should be all about God not food (see Luke 12:23 and Matt. 4:4). Our lives are sustained by God the Father and food is merely supplemental! In these last days, we can see mankind becoming increasingly absorbed in consuming food. Consider how large the food industry is and the science around crafting certain tastes with chemicals and the like. Western culture has given itself over to gluttony rather than give itself to God! We are taught to love the taste of food more than we are taught to love God and His word. We are taught to seek out the best restaurants, food trucks, fast-food places, etc., to satisfy our lust for food. Sadly, even professing Christians live to eat just like the rest of the world.
Read the following verses: John 12:25 and Rom. 12:1. John 12:25 uses the same Greek word meaning breath. If you excessively love your life, how can you use that life to love God? Excessive love for yourself will make you unwilling to sacrifice for God. We are to be a living sacrifice unto God. To love God with all your soul is to give your life to His service and give up your physical desires.
Return Matt. 22:37. The word mind means deep thought, properly the faculty (mind or its dispositions) according to Strong’s Concordance. This Greek word was only used 13 times which makes it easier to understand the meaning of the word by how it was used. For example, Luke 1:51 says, “He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” The word imagination was translated from the same Greek word that was translated as mind.
The phrase imaginations of their hearts indicates that there is something deep in their hearts. Remember, the Greek word for heart means thoughts or feelings. Thus, this phrase refers to their deeper or inner thoughts; the very core of their thinking and emotions. Also read Heb. 8:10 and Heb. 10:16 for more evidence. The word mind in these verses is the same Greek word. These verses show how the new covenant is to put God’s law into our inner most being. (Sidenote: this is evidence that the law of God is not nailed to the cross.)
What does this have to do with believing with all your heart? Loving with all your heart is similar to believing with all your heart. Philip told the Ethiopian man if his belief was deep enough to stake his life on it, then he can be baptized. Believing with all your heart is having full confidence in a fact in your thoughts and inner thoughts! It is belief which becomes a part of who you are! It is a belief you would give your life for! This is why many of the early disciples were killed for their faith.
Luke 21:16 states, “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.” This was a warning given by Jesus Christ to His disciples about the danger ahead. This is about the end times. The early disciples were given this warning, yet they risked their lives to preach the message Jesus Christ taught them. They believed that Jesus is the Son of God enough to stake their lives on this belief! They were unwilling to let go of this belief for any reason, including their families.
The word translated as baptized means to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet) according to the Strong’s Concordance. Baptism is a symbol of being immersed in the things of God. It is being saturated by God and His ways. Anyone who wishes to be baptized should be ready to submerge himself in the truth of God. Baptism is not a light thing; therefore, Philip said if the Ethiopian man believed with all his heart, then he could be baptized. He had to be ready to give his life (breath), thoughts, and inner thoughts to God.
If this Ethiopian was not ready to make this commitment, it is unlikely the Holy Spirit would have sent Philip to him. The Ethiopian man responded, “I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” This confession was affirmation that he was ready to stake everything on this truth!
In verse 38, we see the eagerness of the Ethiopian man to be baptized. He commanded the chariot to stop so he could be baptized. He did not plan a ceremony or a big event. He wanted to be baptized right away. Baptism is referenced in several places in the book of Acts. If you take the time to read these accounts, then you will find that baptism is not planned liked a birthday party or a wedding. People were baptized (a symbol of being cleansed of our sins by God) because of conviction. They were not compelled to be baptized. They wanted to be cleansed of their sins.
Are You Willing?
During the Great Tribulation, there will be a great multitude of people who repent and are converted. Their sins will be washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ. See Rev. 7:11-17. If you are truly converted and full of the Holy Spirit, you may be used to do what Philip did. We must be willing to listen to the Holy Spirit if we are prompted to join ourselves to someone’s chariot. We must be willing to run toward the task with the same eagerness Philip had. Remember, there are eternal lives at stake! Be willing to do whatever God gives you to do!
Verses 39-40 shows how this man went away rejoicing despite that fact that Philip left him. Note that Philip was prompted by the Holy Spirit to move on, so he did. As stated several times, Philip was extremely faithful. He did whatever God told him to do without hesitation. Are you willing to do whatever God commands of you? Will you let the Holy Spirit lead you just like Philip? (Rom. 8:14)
If we are faithful, we may be the reason many will go on their way rejoicing because they know that real life is found in Jesus Christ!
The 2 Olive Trees 