When Philip evangelized the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-39, God revealed 7 Wonderful Truths.
Truth #5: Sincere seekers find Jesus.
This Ethiopian was already a convert to Judaism, which proves he was a seeker who had rejected the pagan religions in his own country. In fact, he'd come to Jerusalem to worship with the Jews.
Other signs that he was a seeker: He was reading Scripture, and he genuinely wanted to understand what he was reading.
No wonder he so readily accepted Philip's explanation of the gospel.
God promises: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
Wholehearted seeking is also important after we come to the Lord.
Paul is our example in that area:
"I consider everything a loss...that I may gain Christ...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me...Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:8-14
Whenever we wholeheartedly seek God's wisdom and purposes, we will find them!
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Truth #1: All Nations, All Races
Truth #2: Rich and Poor Alike
Truth #3: Only With God's Spirit
Truth #4: Don't Underestimate the Old Testament
Note: Rahab is a similar example of someone raised in a pagan city who was a true seeker. See Rahab's Statement of Faith.
Bible Love Notes
During the Covid-19 isolation time, we've learned that even when we must "physically distance" we should never "socially distance."
1. We're designed for community.
Ephesians 2:19: You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.
2. We need others to grow in our faith.
Ephesians 4:15-16: Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
3. It’s everyone’s responsibility to stay connected.
Encouraging others brings us encouragement as well.
Galatians 6:2: Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Romans 12:10: Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Galatians 6:10: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
So let's do our best to stay in "touch" even if we can't actually "touch" each other. Let's use technology (Skype, Facetime, Whatsapp, etc.) to look people in the eye and take time for the small talk. Be especially aware of those who are living alone.
Bible Love Notes
When Philip evangelized the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-39, God revealed 7 Wonderful Truths.
Truth #4: The Old Testament is about Jesus.
The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53:7-8: "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished."
Philip began with that prophecy of Christ, explaining the gospel, and the eunuch came to faith in Jesus (Acts 8:32-35)!
Sometimes we underestimate the Old Testament. We shouldn't.
On the Emmaus Road, Jesus explained His death and resurrection by starting in the books of Moses and the Prophets (Luke 24:27).
The noble Berean Jews checked Paul's teachings by examining Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 17:11).
Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies, far more than any human mind could arrange. Nothing about Christianity requires "blind faith." We have ample proof to believe!
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Truth #1: All Nations, All Races
Truth #2: Rich and Poor Alike
Truth #3: Only with God's Spirit
To be inspired by the many prophecies Jesus fulfilled, see How Many Prophecies?
Please take a moment to read through a list of "Jesus clues" in every Old Testament book: Jesus in the Old Testament. You might want to pin or bookmark this post to refer to when you need a boost in your trust of God's Word.
And these 1-minute devotions also confirm the truths in this devotion:
Prophetic Whispers and An Incredible Prophecy of Christ's Death.
One of the most common questions I get about the Old Testament is about the laws.
If we don't understand which were temporary and which are permanent, we can be easily taken in by modern teachers who are teaching heresies about Old Testament law-keeping. If you have questions about the Old Testament laws, please read these posts:
Does God Hate Shrimp and Other Dumb Questions
This 1-minute devotion discusses an Old Testament dietary law which is used to discredit New Testament commands against homosexuality.
Christ's Complete Fulfillment of the Law
This 1-minute devotion explains the purpose of Old Testament laws.
Laws, Commands, and Errors
This 1-minute devotion explains the function of each type of Old Testament law.
All or Nothing, Christ's Fulfillment of the Law
This longer post addresses the teachings of the Hebrew Roots movement.
Muddled View of God, Scripture, and Women
This longer post examines the beliefs of Rachel Held Evans, best-selling author and popular teacher in the Progressive Christian, Ex-vangelical movement. The Progressive Christian movement denies the inerrancy of God's Word and often misuses Old Testament passages to undermine trust in God's Word.
Bible Love Notes
