Apostle Philip
Apostle Philip’s Work Completed
Welcome to today’s Acts of the Apostles Bible Study. Our main reference for today is Acts 8:26 – 32. The Samaritans received salvation and Apostle Philip’s work was finished in the city of Samaria.
Then the angel of the Lord gave Apostle Philip new instructions. By the way, there is no angel in heaven, name Moroni. That name is not in my Bible, so I know he is not in heaven.
Today, we will examine the motivation for correct understanding of the Bible. We shall look at the source of understanding the Word of God.
The angel of the Lord gave Apostle Philip new instructions: Get up, go towards the south to a roadway which descends from Jerusalem to the Gaza Desert, Acts 8:26.
The angel of the Lord did not give Philip an explanation but the Apostle obeyed the Lord’s command. Anytime Believers are obedient and available nothing matters besides obeying the Lord Jesus.
On arrival, at his new post Apostle Philip saw a “chariot” or carriage . This carriage had a distinguished passenger. We do not know his name but we know his status and job function. This passenger is an Ethiopian eunuch of great authority, Acts 8:27. This man had authority over “all” of the treasures of Queen Candace of Ethiopia. We shall call him the Ethiopian Eunuch.
The Ethiopian Eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to “worship” and was returning to Ethiopia. He was sitting on his carriage reading.
How perfect is the timing of the Lord Jesus Christ for Apostle Philip got there punctually to see the Ethiopian Eunuch driving home.
Apostle Philip Knew the Purpose of his Assignment
It is only after Apostle Philip obeyed the Lord,that, he received his second instruction. The Lord by His Holy Ghost told Apostle Philip, “Go near, and join thyself to this chariot,” Acts 8:29.
I have heard and read “how” the Apostle “joined himself” to the carriage I shall not address that issue here for it is outside the theme of this lesson.
It is at this juncture many Believers would disobey the Lord being uncertain of the “source” of the instruction. Our thoughts originate from three sources: within and outside our bodies. Thoughts which originate from the outside: come from Satan. Thoughts which originate from within you come from either yourself or from the Holy Ghost. Only with much practice are you able to correctly identify thoughts from within.
As Apostle Philip “ran” along side the “chariot” he heard the Ethiopian Eunuch reading from the “Prophet, Esaias,” Acts 8:28, Isaiah 53:7. It was only at this point the that Apostle Philip knew the purpose of his assignment. Then Philip, still running along side the carriage, ask, do you understand what you are reading? Acts 8:30.
The Ethiopian Eunuch response is substantive. He replied, “How can I except some man should guide me?”, Acts 8:31. Now, the Ethiopian Eunuch invites Philip to “sit with him.”
Whom you chose to believe will decide your future because you will act on his instructions, Romans 6:16. Who are you believing? Is your faith secure in the doctrine of man or Jesus Christ?
Teachers of the Bible are “guides” to knowing the Lord. We should not teach our doctrines or another man’s but the Apostles’ Doctrine and therefore the Doctrine of Jesus Christ. However, many religious organizations, which call themselves church, teach their own doctrines.
Holy Ghost Sent Apostle Philip to Ethiopian Eunuch to Guide him to Know Jesus Christ
The Holy Ghost sent Philip and assigned him to the Ethiopian Eunuch to guide him to know Jesus Christ. That is essentially the mandate of all teachers of the Word of Jesus Christ, a guide to others to know God through teaching Christ.
Many contemporary religious organizations like Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses have their respective prophetess and priests. SDA has Ellen G.White , Prophet Joseph Smith and Charles Taze Russell an agnostic and former Adventist are connected to Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses respectively. These social clubs follow the doctrines of their collective prophets and ignore the teachings of Jesus Christ. They will quickly quote their prophets on a subject there by ignoring the teachings to Jesus Christ.
Jesus succinctly described this practice when he said, ”But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” Matthew 15:9.
Satan knows the Apostles’ Doctrine is truth. There is only one absolute truth, Jesus Christ. Any teaching other than the teachings of Christ is relative, it’s a lie. Therefore, everyone is not teaching the truth for many teach the doctrines of man and not the Apostles Doctrineor the Doctrine of Christ. Apostle Philip taught the Doctrine of Christ, what are you teaching?
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Very nice article! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Thank you too Jasmine for visiting BATW and for commenting,blessings.
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