3rd July 2024
Philip preached Jesus
So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Act 8:34-35 (NKJV)
Jesus was prophesied in the Old Testament scriptures. From these scriptures, Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch who had come to Jerusalem to worship. On his way back, Acts records he was reading from the prophet Isaiah: ‘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. In His humiliation His justice was taken away…” ’ (Acts 8:32-33). It was the Holy Spirit who sent Philip to explain to the eunuch that the scriptures spoke of Jesus which led to him being baptised.
Having read this episode I asked myself: ‘Do I know Jesus?’ The answer is ‘Yes!’ I believe and know about him from the scriptures, who he is and what he has done for all of us, coming in the flesh. But do I know him personally as a person, as my friend for eternity, my Redeemer, my High Priest, my Creator and Saviour? Not really: not as fully and intimately as I ought to know him. But I always express my desire to know the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit more intimately and pray that my eyes are fixed on Jesus, described as ‘the author and finisher of our faith’ (Hebrews 12:2), and ‘the captain of [our] salvation’ (Hebrews 2:10).
Jesus revealed all about himself to the two disciples on their way to Emmaus: ‘…“Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.’ (Luke 24:26-27). After his conversion, the Apostle Paul also demonstrated to the Jews and preached Jesus: ‘…explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” ’ (Acts 17:3). This gospel was preached to Adam and Eve, as we read in Genesis: ‘So the Lord God said to the serpent: “…And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” ’ (Genesis 3:14-15). This gospel was preached to Abraham: ‘And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” ’ (Galatians 3:8).
We are greatly blessed to have the Scriptures which reveal the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are also blessed to have many eyewitness accounts, such as this recorded in 1 John 1:1- 4: ‘That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon… concerning the Word of life—and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us…that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.’
Prayer
Abba Father, I thank You for the Holy Bible revealing Your Son to us. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Study by Natu Moti
About the writer:
Natu Moti is a deacon in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Gracecom Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
Birmingham B23 7QB
Meeting time:
Saturday 1.00 pm
Local congregational contact:
David Gibbs
Email: birmingham@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church