“Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.”
Acts 8:35 (NIV)
This wonderful account of the Spirit led, Spirit empowered conversion of the Ethiopian removes any doubts regarding the identity of the Servant described in Isaiah 53.
Tell me please who is the prophet speaking about is answered by Phillip telling him the good news about Jesus. This means categorically that Isaiah 53 is about our Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice that the Holy Spirit used the Word of God to convert this man, and the Holy Spirit used a human to tell the gospel - to relate the ancient prophecy to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. To tell a man who is concerned about his state before His Creator, that our Creator sent His Son whom He loved, to earth to suffer at the hands of humans, and to die on our behalf so that we could have peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Would we be willing today to be used by the Holy Spirit to tell the good news to a stranger?
Not to force it on them, but to surrender to the Spirit and ask Him to lead us to the individual, show our selves to them and answer their questions.
What about a neighbour?
What about a family member?
Ah you say - come on John, Phillip was a special individual, he was an evangelist, let the experts share the gospel. No friend, the same Spirit who miraculously gifted Philip and converted the Ethiopian is the same Spirit working in us and through us.
Ask Him to lead you - tell Him you are willing.
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