Baptism 2

Seizing Evangelistic Opportunities

Acts 8:26–36 NKJV

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” 34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”

Intro: Today Baptism. By immersion. VS 39 :they came up out of the water” Always after salvation. No where in the will you find infant baptism. Or getting baptist for your dead relatives.

Would you love to see someone baptized because you lead them to faith in Jesus.

I. Philip Was Moved From A Place of Comfort (Acts 8:4-8 & 26-27a)

Philip: He was one of the deacons Acts 6. He was a Evangelist.

A. He was in the middle of a great soul-winning revival. Acts 8:4-8

1. He was enjoying preaching daily. Salvation.

2. He was enjoying people coming to him. Healing.

*There was a great revival going on in Samaria, and we might thin Philip should stay right where he was. But God cares about the one just as much as He cares about the crowd. God cares about you just as much as He cares about the crowd.

*So the Lord had another assignment for Philip. In vs. 26: "An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, 'Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.' This is desert."

*God sent Philip in a new direction. It was a desert place, and ordinarily it was a deserted place. But God knew who was going to be on the road that day, so, the Lord put Philip in just the right place at just the right time to help the Ethiopian.

C. He not only was instructed, but He listened to God

“So he arose and went.” – v. 27a

Many opportunities are missed because:

1. We don’t listen

2. We don’t take time

3. We don’t feel they are ready to hear

4. We don’t think we can.

II. Philip Took Advantage of the Opportunity (v. 27-35)

A. There was a divine appointment (v.27-28)

*This man was a very rich and powerful leader in his country. He had almost everything the world could offer. Plus he was religious. The Ethiopian had been to Jerusalem to worship. He was even reading the Bible when Philip got to him.

*But his religion was not enough to save him. His money was not enough. His position was not enough to save him. His power was not enough. His prestige was not enough.

*That man desperately needed Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for our sins! Everybody desperately needs Jesus! And vs. 29-30 point us to the cross, because here:

1. The eunuch was where God was sending Philip

a. The eunuch had been prepared for Philip

b. There are people where God is calling you to go.

c. God is preparing someone for you to share Jesus with.

B. There was the involvement of the Holy Spirit (v. 29)

“Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot’”. – v. 29

C. There was enthusiasm with the opportunity VS 30

“So Philip ran to him…” – v. 30

*God led Philip to the Ethiopian just in time to hear him reading a passage of Scripture from Isaiah 53. It is one of the most vivid descriptions of the Lord's suffering in the whole Bible. We find it in Isaiah 53:2-8, and there God's Word says this about Jesus:

VS 32-33 READ AND ELAB

VS 34

1. Philip was excited to share the gospel

2. Philip initiated the conversation (He opened the door)

3. Philip kept the message simple

“Then Philip opened his mouth and beginning at this scripture, preached Jesus to him.” – Acts 8:35

III. Philip Saw Results in Seizing the Opportunity (v. 36-40)

A. The Ethiopian Eunuch was gloriously saved.

1. His belief and confession came first. VS 37

2. His baptism came second as a testimony, But there was the desire to be baptized, VS 36

3. He was baptized.

B. Philip was not allowed time to glory in the man’s salvation (v. 39-40)

1. God moved him to another place

2. He stayed faithful to spread the gospel

1. The eunuch was rejoicing in his salvation. VS 39b

2. The eunuch went back changed and with a testimony