THE ETHIOPIAN CONVERTED.
By J. O. Corliss
A FEW of the disciples were left behind at Jerusalem, when the persecution led by Saul dispersed the believers from that center. Peter and John were among these. So when tidings came to Jerusalem of Philip’s wonderful experience at Samaria, these two apostles were sent to assist him in his closing labors at that place. When they considered their mission in Samaria ended, they returned on their way to Jerusalem, leaving Philip alone to go on with his work. Almost immediately, however, an angel of the Lord visited Philip, and directed him to “go toward the south, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.” Acts 8:26. This definite instruction for the evangelist to go south by a certain route to the intersection of another road leading west from Jerusalem, was for a purpose. The sequel will show that the Lord not only knew who Philip would meet there, but also the condition of mind in which he would be found when met at the designated place. This reveals that the Lord saw just the occupation the stranger would have been previously engaged in, to bring about the certain frame of mind which it was foreknown he would have. The order was also timely. Arriving at the designated spot, Philip looked up and saw coming from toward Jerusalem a very influential man from Ethiopia, the treasurer, in fact, of Queen Candace’s dominion. He had been to Jerusalem to worship, and returning, was reading the book of Isaiah’s prophecy while riding in his chariot. Philip had then followed faithfully to the end of his previous instructions, and this incident probably awakened some inquiry in his mind as to the design of his mission. What was to be his next step, he had not yet been informed. But while God does not point out all the detail of men’s missions at once, upon sending them forth, He does not leave the faithful messenger to fall under perplexity. At the proper moment the Spirit said plainly to Philip, “Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” This was all that was necessary for the time. Without hesitation the evangelist gathered his garment about him, ran toward the coming traveler, and heard him reading aloud in a studious way. The passage which so seriously engaged his mind was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth; in his humiliation his judgment was taken away; and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.” Verses 32, 33. Hearing this, and seeing the troubled look of the Ethiopian, the evangelist’s mission was plainly defined. He needed no more direct instruction. Looking up at the puzzled man in the chariot, Philip ventured the question, “Understandest thou what thou readest?” Looking up from his task, the mystified reader said, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” Then making room beside himself, he asked the evangelist to sit with him. Philip being seated in the chariot, the officer of state turned to him with the question, “I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet thus? of himself, or of some other man?” Whatever query might hitherto have been in the evangelist’s mind regarding his mission to that desert region, it was all clear when this question was offered. There was now no doubt that God had sent him to preach Christ to that one lone man, so desirous to know the meaning of God’s Word. True, it was in wide contrast to the work he had just left, where thousands hung upon his words; but it was God’s lesson to him that heaven’s help is sent just as readily to a single individual who is desirous to know the way of righteousness as to the vast multitudes who sit in darkness. It is also our assurance that Jesus would have given His life for one individual as freely as for all the world. It also tells us that no one need lack for the sympathy and care of the Lord Jesus now, however isolated he may be. The text selected by the Ethiopian could not have been more wisely chosen. From this Philip pointed out the fulfilment of the Scriptures in the revelation of the Messiah. We are not instructed as to just how long Philip preached, or what definite line of thought he followed. But we are told that at just the proper time,—when the Ethiopian saw clearly3the claim of the Messiah upon men, and the relation believers should sustain toward Him,—they approached, in their journey, a certain body of water. Beholding it, the eunuch cried out, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” The ready reply was, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.” That was the only pre-requisite,—“believe with all thine heart.” No list of lifeless creeds or senseless forms was to be first mastered, but the simple expression of faith in Christ as the Saviour from sin, was enough. Conformable to this requirement, the eunuch fervently said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” The chariot was then halted, and, attended by Philip, the eunuch went down into the water, and there in that stream of the desert, in sight of only the angels of heaven, he gave himself into the hands of his teacher to be buried beneath the yielding flood, as his silent testimony of faith in the burial and resurrection of Christ for sin. Rom. 6: 3, 4; Col. 2: 12. This act completed, God’s design in sending Philip to the desert, instead of to some large city teeming with sin and degradation, was fully met. That was the only favorable time and place when and where the eunuch could be rescued. True, he had just come from Jerusalem, where were some of the leading apostles, and the eunuch had gone there expressly to worship. Why not have the church intercept him there? God knew best about that. He knew that in the midst of all the confusion of the Jewish ceremonies, there was little hope of winning the sturdy statesman to the truth. To meet him alone, in the midst of the desert, where he would have a reflective turn of mind and be free from class prejudice, there was hope that he would be brought to see the truth in its clearness. God’s plan of arrangement for securing the conversion of this single sincere soul, is but another evidence, not only of God’s general love for the world, but of His personal care for every one who desires it. True faith in God must embrace this thought. It is not enough to believe that God loves the world in general, but that He loves me in particular. With this in mind, prayer and praise will be more direct, because the mind centers on the relation between myself and God. Then we may say with the psalmist: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.” Psalms 23. Philip’s mission being completed, he was not anxiously concerned about his next station, yet he readily found it; for as soon as the baptism of the eunuch was accomplished, the evangelist was caught up by the Spirit, and borne to the next place where God desired to use him. But the eunuch “went on his way rejoicing.” Such was then, and should be now, the way of witnessing for Christ.