Untitled Sermon
I. The Spirit—vv. 26–29
Acts 8:26–40
There are various ways of evangelizing. The best method is personal soul-winning. This means work; it means visitation. This is the hardest way to reach man with the gospel. If this method would be followed by Christians, we could easily change the world. The next method is through the church. Other methods are church literature and mass meetings. Philip left a large crowd to win one soul.
I. The Spirit—vv. 26–29
A. Person—v. 26. Philip was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles. He had a revival in Samaria. An angel spoke to him and told him to go to another place.
B. Problem—v. 27. An Ethiopian or a eunuch, a man of great power and influence, came to Jerusalem seeking the Lord.
C. Prophecy—v. 28. This man was reading from Isaiah, the prophet. The New Testament was not yet completed.
D. Plea—v. 29. The Holy Spirit tells Philip to go to the chariot of this eunuch. Be open; allow God to speak to you.
II. The Speaking—vv. 30–35
A. Problem—vv. 30–31. Philip was quick to obey God; he ran to the eunuch, who was reading from Isaiah, but could not understand what he was reading. Compare with Romans 10:14.
B. Prophecy—vv. 32–33. He was reading from Isaiah 53:7–8. This was a prophecy concerning Christ, who would come to save man from sin.
C. Plight—v. 34. The eunuch asked, “Who is the Prophet speaking about?” The non-Christian is in darkness; he needs help.
D. Preaching—v. 35. Notice that Philip preached about Jesus. He told him all about Jesus.
III. The Salvation—vv. 36–40
A. Salvation—v. 36. The eunuch understood and accepted Christ. He wanted to be baptized. See Acts 2:38.
B. Sincere—v. 37. Philip wanted to be sure the eunuch understood water baptism, before he baptized him.
C. Showing—v. 38. Philip went down into the water with the eunuch and baptized him. Water baptism is an outward sign of salvation.
D. Spirit—vv. 39–40. The Spirit took Philip approximately twenty-five miles away from the eunuch. Philip stayed in the Caesara area for twenty-five years—Acts 21:8–9. His daughters were filled with the Holy Spirit and used the gift of prophecy.
All men are sinners—Romans 3:23. Though all men are sinners most do not know this, nor do they know how to have this sin removed. There is only one way they can know about forgiveness—they must be told. If each layman does his part in witnessing, soon all will know. God could work through angels, but He depends upon man—John 15:16. Every Christian should be a personal soul-winner. God gives us power to do this work—Acts 1:8.