ACTS 15 - GRACE AND FAITH

Grace and Faith
Acts 15:1-21

Introduction
Margaret MacLachlan and Margaret Wilson stood with two other female prisoners before the court at Wigtown on April 13, 1685. These women are listed with the Scottish Covenanters who were martyred for their faith in Christ. Margaret MacLachlan was 70 years of age, and Margaret Wilson was 18. They were to die for their faith by drowning. Margaret the younger was tied to a stake a little further out than the older Margaret. As she watched her older friend drown, she was asked, “What do you think of her now?” She answered, “Think! I see Christ wrestling there. Think ye that we are sufferers? No, it is Christ in us, for He sends none a warfare at their own charges.” As the waters swirled around the 18-year-old, she began to sing from Psalm 25,
My sins and faults of youth
Do thou, O Lord, forget;
After thy mercy think on me,
And for thy goodness great.
God good and upright is;
The way he’ll sinners show;
The meek in judgment he will guide
And make his path to know.

By Grace through Faith we are saved, we are delivered from the evil one, we live in Christ! Margaret sung from Psalm 25 acknowledging that in Christ her sins were forgiven, forgotten in her Savior. For good and upright is our Savior who shows us sinners the way, guiding us in His path that He has made for us to see. For Christ executed His office as High Priest, “offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us” (WSC Q&A 25).
By an act of God’s free grace we have been justified to come into His presence, forgiven and righteous. For our Father in heaven “pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone” (WSC Q&A 33).
Herein is our fellowship with Christ, one with another, that “we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they” (Acts 15:11). There is one Israel. Jew and Gentile united together in Christ. For “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23-24).

Great Joy in Christ’s Body 15:1-4
We expect trouble from those who attack the Church from the outside. However, we are not always ready for an attack from the inside. Trouble within the Church family brings pain and discouragement detrimental to the unity of the body, and to the corruption of the Gospel itself. Certain men came from Judaea teaching the brethren, saying, “Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.” When we hear voices that say do this or do that, we must discern what is Biblical over against that which is of man. The church, which is the Body of Christ, has been decreed by their King to have a form of government to handle grievances or differences, according to His Word. Paul and Barnabas saw that this was not so small a dissension and disputation that they should handle it themselves. For these men from Judaea adopted a view that circumcision was necessary for salvation.
Not only must we discern what is evil, directing us away from the truth, but we must examine all things according to the Word of God. Wisdom tells us that we do not stand alone in this battle. As those who would pollute the Gospel and, therefore, the unity of the body, we must in the unity of the body as our Lord has established us. Our Lord, the King and Head of the Church, has established a form of Government, whereby He has established Elders, under-shepherds to feed His flock. Paul and Barnabas were therefore sent, with others, to “go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.” We have elders today, and presbyters, to undertake, by the guidance and work of the Spirit and His Word, to deliberate the cases brought before them.
On their way to Jerusalem, with full consent of the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, “declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.” They were convinced that the Gospel was for both Jew and Gentile, for the Lord had commanded them to preach Christ to both, that they would become one. There are no second class citizens in the Kingdom of God. There is but one Body in Christ, the chosen people whose unity of faith by grace brings much joy to their hearts. There should be an expression of joy in each congregation of believers when the Lord adds another to their number.
When they came to Jerusalem “they were received by the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.” The Apostles had appointed and ordained “elders in every church,” commending “them to the Lord, on whom they believed” (Acts 14:23). The Apostles’ had great fellowship with the elders of the church. This is seen in Paul’s relationship with Titus, whom he called “mine own son after the common faith” (Titus 1:4). He had left Titus, a Gentile from Antioch, in Crete, that he should “set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city,” as he had appointed him (1:5). The whole church had received Paul and Barnabas. Now the apostles and elders met to mediate the problem of the Gentiles. God is not seen in Paul’s testimony as one who is a fellow laborer, but one who has accomplished His work through them. It is God alone who receives the honor and glory.

Hear and Believe 15:5-11
The Apostles and elders of Christ’s court discussed the problem of a “sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” They came together to consider the matter of the Gentiles. After much disputing, Peter rises to speak. Peter draws his argument from an understanding which God alone can give. It comes not from a general experience, but from a true taste of what God has done. He begins with the commission that he himself has received, saying that they know of this, that “God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.” If God had them hear and believe, then they must be accepted as we have been accepted. Peter speaks of God, who alone knows the hearts, baring “them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us.” Therefore, no one has a right to put a “difference” between the Jewish Christian and the Gentile Christian. ‘Difference’ refers to a separation or making a marked distinction between one person and another. Paul admonished the believers “that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another?” (1 Cor. 4:6-7).
This was Peter’s argument which would put to rest the controversy of circumcision: 1. It was God who made the choice that the Gentiles would hear the gospel by the mouth of Peter; 2. It was the hearing of the gospel that they would believe; 3. Since God knows the heart, He therefore bears witness by giving them the Holy Spirit; 4. God gave the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles in the same manner that He gave Him to the apostles; 5. God is the one who places no difference between the Jew and the Gentile; 6. God purifies the heart by faith in both Jew and Gentile; 7. Therefore, we are not to tempt God by placing a yoke that neither can bear; 8. And, we are to know that we believe we are saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as are the Gentiles.
Are we to tempt God by our works, or demanding that certain outward acts by others must be the rule of salvation? Is it not that we are all saved by grace alone? “For by grace we are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). We must remember that “we believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”

Deliverance Prophesied 15:12-21
Following Peter’s testimony, Paul and Barnabas attests to the miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. James then asks that he be listened to, affirming the testimony of Peter (Simeon) that “God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” James’ argument begins with the prophecy the Scriptures. He says that what has been done is in agreement with these words of Amos, “After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, . . . That all the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all things” (see Amos 9:11-12). Again it is confirmed that this is the work of the Lord, who does all things according to His will and purpose. Thus, He receives all the honor. “Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”
Judicially speaking James gives his sentence, “that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God.” They are to be encouraged to live righteously in Christ. Therefore the letters to Gentiles are to include that they “abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.” Note that these are the things which their environment will surely tempt them. Not only will this help them not to wander into the world’s moral depravity, but will also bring unity to the whole church. The Old Testament moral code will unite them, not to save them, but to live as the Lord would have them live. Biblical principles or moral codes encourage us to live lives pleasing to Christ. In this we find unity and strength.

OPEN DOORS - ACTS 14

Open Doors — Acts 14:1-28

Introduction
In the thirteenth chapter of Acts we are told that the Holy Spirit had separated Paul and Barnabas for the work whereto he had called them. Through worship and prayer the church had sent them on their way by the laying on of hands. The study of God’s Word opens up the true history of God and his creation, of Christ and his saving grace.
Paul and Barnabas sailed to Cyprus to preach the word of God. They traveled to Paphos where they met a false prophet called Bar-jesus. This sorcerer sought to turn away others from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him saying, "…thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?" Paul declared that he would be blind, and right away "there fell upon him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand." The deputy, who wanted to hear the word of the Lord, saw and believed.
Paul and his company came then to Perga of Pamphylia. From there they went to Antioch in Pisidia where Paul spoke in the synagogue of David's seed, Jesus, a Savior according to promise (Acts 13:23). He spoke of the Gospel of Christ that "through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins." Many of the Jews and Gentiles followed were persuaded of the grace of God.
The city was stirred up against them. Many were filled with envy. They were persecuted and ejected out of their coasts. However, the commission which Paul carried in his heart was not hindered. "For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." When the Gentiles heard this, they were "glad and glorified the word of the Lord." Therefore, as many as were ordained to eternal life, believed! Paul and Barnabas shook off the dust of their feet and came to Iconium "with joy, and with the Holy Ghost."

Opposition –Acts 14:1-7
Where there is the preaching of the Gospel there is both opposition and approbation. There will be those who actively resist the Gospel and those who will receive Christ with much joy.
Paul and Barnabas went to the synagogue in Iconium. There they preached the word of God, and “a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.” However the “unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles,” turning them against the brethren, to do them harm. We too must be reminded that it is not always a question of believing or not believing, but that those who oppose the Gospel seek to bring harm against the followers of Christ. The unbeliever also desires others to join in their evil efforts.
This opposition did not hinder the Gospel but encouraged Paul and Barnabas to speak boldly in the Lord, “which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” The signs and miracles did not stop the opposition. In fact it became more passionate. The city was divided between the unbelieving Jews and the apostles. Both Gentiles and Jews began to vigorously assault and insult the disciples of Christ, even to the point of stoning.
The darkness of evil sought to slander the Gospel by plotting against Paul and Barnabas. Paul and Barnabas heard of the plot against them and they “fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, ...And there they preached the gospel.”
Jesus had sent his apostles to the lost sheep of Israel, admonishing them to preach boldly that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. They were to bring the peace of this gospel to those who received them. Those who would not receive them, nor hear their word, they were then to leave that city and shake off the dust of their feet (Matt. 10:12-14). If they were persecuted in one city, they were to leave it for another (10:23). The minister of Christ may quit a city but never the work of the gospel.

Living God –Acts 14:8-20
Paul met a “certain man in Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.” This was a man who had heard Paul speak and had come to a faith in the gospel. Paul, moved by the Spirit, cried with a loud voice, “Stand upright on thy feet.” And the man leaped and walked.
The people who had witnessed this miracle did not respond in praise to God. They said, “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.” They began to call Barnabas, Jupiter (or Zeus), and Paul, Mercurius. Paul was given the name of Mercury which corresponds to the Roman god, Hermes. Hermes was the spokesman of the gods, and so Paul was looked upon as the spokesman, or chief speaker. The chief priest of Zeus (Jupiter) appears on the scene with his sacrifices.
The response of the Lycaonians was another form of denial. They saw only the miracle and not the Christ of the Gospel. They held onto their own gods rather than giving themselves in the true and living God. Today men hear the gospel and receive it only if they can fit it in with their gods of pluralism, satisfying their own humanism.
The response of Paul and Barnabas was as radical as a surgeon’s scalpel. They rent their clothes and ran into the heart of the crowds, vividly expressing their grief at such blasphemy against God. Their passion for the truth of the gospel could not be contained. They must speak out, for the name of the Lord is at stake. For there is no other name (person) whereby man can be saved.
They declared themselves to be men with like passions of the people. It was their message that was most important. They had torn their clothes because God was to get the glory. Their preaching was the truth of heaven that men should turn from their vanities to the living God. The living God was the one who created heaven and earth. Yet the true God was patient, faithful to the witness he gave to men. For God continues to reveal himself in both the rain he sent and the daily provision of both food and gladness.
However, their passion for sacrifice to false gods deafened their ears. The opposition from Antioch and Iconium had followed Paul. They took advantage of the temperament of the crowd, urging them on, persuading the people to stone Paul. They left him outside of the city thinking that he was dead. The disciples stood around Paul, and “he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”

A REDEEMING LIGHT - ACTS 13

A Redeeming Light
Acts 13:13-48

Word of Exhortation –Acts 13:13-15
Paul and his company travel from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue. “After the reading of the law and the prophets,” the rulers of the synagogue said to them, “ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” Paul has been prepared by the Lord to preach the Gospel unto all people, as the risen Lord had declared, saying to Ananias, “for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15-16).
Paul knew that he was a chosen vessel to preach the Gospel. This Gospel was nothing less than Christ himself. Paul attests to this calling, saying that he was sent to preach “Christ Jesus the Lord …for God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:5-6). This is the Gospel which Paul preaches in Antioch of Pisidia.

According to God’s Promise –Acts 13:16-25
Paul stands in the Synagogue, calling the “Men of Israel, and those who fear God,” to hear what he has to say. For his message is both to the Jews and Gentiles. Paul begins with God’s covenant promise to the people of Israel. It was God who chose them “and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm brought he them out of it.” For forty years God had suffered “their manners in the wilderness.” He kept his promise as he “had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan” dividing their land amongst them.
God’s longsuffering with his people is again illustrated in that he “gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.” Their ingratitude is shown as they cried for a king like other nations. So he gave them Saul who reigned for forty years. And when God had removed Saul, “he raised up unto them David to be their king.” Thus God keeps his covenant in David, to whom He gave this testimony, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, who shall fulfill all my will.” (Note Psalm 89:20-21)
The Lord’s will and covenant are fulfilled in David’s seed, “according to his promise, raised unto Israel a Savior, Jesus.” This Gospel message is that of all God’s ministers. Peter preached that the house of Israel can know assuredly “that God has made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). Paul testifies in his epistle that he was separated “unto the gospel of God … Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God” (Rom. 1:1-4).

Jesus Fulfills the Promise –Acts 13:26-37
Paul addresses his audience as “Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham.” He embraces them as those who were chosen of God, along with himself, the seed of Abraham. The seed of Abraham are further characterized as those who fear God. David testifies to the right spirit that one comes before the Almighty God, saying, “But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy; and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple” (Ps. 5:7). In fear we stand in awe before our Lord, recognizing him as he has revealed himself in his Word, in all his glory and majesty. Paul preaches the Gospel to those whose hearts are God’s. The message of the Gospel is “the word of salvation;” which reminds us of the Angel’s message to Mary and Joseph, “and thou shalt call his name JOSHUA (Jehovah is salvation): for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).
An objection could be made by his hearers as to why they should accept one who was condemned and crucified. Paul’s answer to those of the faith is that the rulers who condemned Jesus knew him not, “nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.” Therefore, “so far from diminishing any whit of Christ’s divine Excellency, that it ought rather to serve to prove and establish the same, for whereby doth Christ better appear than because all that was fulfilled in him which had been foretold in the law and prophets?” (Calvin). Scripture attests that Christ would “be despised and rejected of men …was wounded for our transgressions” (Is.53:3-5).
However, it was also prophesied that “The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner” (Ps. 118:22). Verses 28 thru 37 can be summed up in the words of the Apostles’ Creed that Christ “suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from hence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.”

Faith in Christ –Acts 13:38-41
Jesus is not one Savior among many, but the only person under heaven (born of the Virgin Mary) by whom we are saved. Our faith is in him, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes we are healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Thus, says Paul, be it known “that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.” For “by him all that believe are justified from all things.” The things are that which we “could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
The remedy for sin is not found in the law of God, for we are unable to satisfy the justice of God by obeying his law, to show ourselves righteous in his sight. We need a Savior who would not only pay the penalty for our sin in death, but that he would be our righteousness in life. Paul writes in his epistle, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Rom. 8:3-4). The condemnation of the law, Christ nailed to his cross (Col. 2:13-14). Therefore, we place our faith in Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sins and the redemption of our souls.

Light in the World –Acts 13:42-48
Paul testified, “For hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” To preach the Gospel to all men does not guarantee a positive response. For some seed will fall upon hard soil, while others will fall upon hearts made new by the Spirit of God. The joy which Paul and his companions received was in the words of those who urged them “to continue in the grace of God.” There were those who responded with jealousy. Filled with envy they spoke against the apostles, “contradicting and blaspheming” what they preached. Those who heard and believed, “were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord.” To every neighborhood, state and nation, the Gospel is being preached. And, as in the day of Paul, so today, “as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” The cause of faith and forgiveness unto eternal life is God’s election. Therefore there is only Christ who shall receive all the glory and honor. For all whom the Father gives the Son, he shall lose not a one. It is the will of the Father who sent the Son, “that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life.” Christ will raise each one who believes “at the last days” (John 6:37-40). We so preach Christ. May we see the fruits of his work! In Christ we are to be lights in this world!

THE GRACE OF GOD IN ACTION - Acts 11

The Grace of God in Action
Acts 11:19-26

Introduction
Faith in Christ Jesus enables us to know and understand the Grace of God; the Holy Spirit teaching us and giving us understanding that it is “by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). We look to Christ “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7). We do not have any reason to boast, for it is not of works that we are saved; for we are the Father’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:9-10). Paul writes to the church at Rome that we have been “justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:24).
This is the grace of God which Barnabas saw in the church at Antioch. We bear the mark of Christ in our Faith, which is called Justifying Faith and is defined by the Larger Catechism (Q&A 72): “Justifying faith is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and word of God, whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and of the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition, not only assents to the truth of the promise of the gospel, but receives and rests upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin, and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.”
Barnabas proved to be a true “son of consolation” as he had land which he sold and “brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:36-37). ‘Consolation’ is the Greek word, Paraklesis, meaning to help or encourage others to act uprightly. Barnabas recognized the grace of God in others. He was a Levite of the country of Cyprus. He was the cousin of Mark, who was the “sister’s son to Barnabas” (Col. 4:10). It was the Holy Spirit who called him and Paul to be the Lord’s ministers, saying to the church at Antioch, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). After this the church had “fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” Sent by the Holy Spirit they traveled to Seleucia, they sailed to Cyprus. At Salamis, “they preached the world of God in the synagogues of the Jews.” It is good to be reminded that it is not the laying on of hands that sent us to minister the Gospel to the entire world, but the Spirit of God. The laying on of hands confirms the call through prayer and encouragement.

The Hand of the Lord 11:19-21
The “hand of the Lord was with those who were preaching the Gospel. The result was that a great number believed and turned unto the Lord.” It takes the ‘hand of the Lord’ for one to be persuaded of the truth and to place full confidence in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. Persecution increased after the killing of Stephen. However, out of “many torn members did arise more bodies. … And as God did at that time make the endeavors of Satan frustrate after a wonderful sort, so we need not doubt but that even at this day he will make to himself triumphs of the cross and persecution, that the Church may better grow together, though it be scattered abroad” (Calvin). Though the preaching of the Gospel went first to the Jews who were in dispersion, the preaching of the Gospel of Christ Jesus came also to the Greeks at Antioch.
Luke writes to Theophilus, reminding him of his previous Gospel treatise, “of all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1). He writes of the ascension of Christ, the beginning of the church, the Pentecostal preaching of Paul, and the martyrdom of Stephan. The stoning of Stephan marked the progress of the persecution which scattered the Christians “as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch.” James, the brother of Jesus and leader in the church, wrote of the endurance and victory which belonged to those who were scattered for their faith, that they should “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience (endurance)” (James 1:1-2).
Our faith rests squarely upon the hand of the Lord who alone saves us. Faith is a gift that comes from the hand of the Lord, and will not fail. Though “faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory” (Westminster Confession, III).
James teaches us that “Faith without works is dead.” Faith produces a certain moral character within the child of God that reveals a strength and resolve in the midst of a wicked world. The dispersed Jewish Christians were facing fierce persecution. Faith produces the strength of being able to endure during times of trials and temptations. Faith that is unable to produce such a victory is a dead faith. Faith is victorious, a product of the redeeming work of Christ on our behalf. The cross of Calvary looms magnificently in our faith. Faith rests upon the accomplished promise of our Father in heaven who loved us and chose us to be his children in Christ. Faith rests upon the work of the Holy Spirit who gave us new birth and continues to walk alongside of us as our Holy Comforter. Faith looks to Christ Jesus the author and finisher of our faith!

His Servant Barnabas 11:22-26
Luke continues to write of the spreading of the Gospel by the hand of God in and through his servants. Many believed, put their faith in Christ, which was the result of the work of the Spirit of God. “Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which as in Jerusalem.” The church of our Lord Jesus Christ had a heart which saw the need of the new born Christians. They wanted to see what their Lord was doing and how they could be counted on to encourage these new brethren in the faith. It is in this spirit that they “sent forth Barnabas that he should go as far as Antioch.” Calvin writes that the purpose of the Jerusalem church to send Barnabas was “to keep all the faithful, wheresoever dispersed, in the pure consent of faith; to appoint ministers and pastors wheresoever there was any number of the faithful.” We need to be reminded that as others have been used of the Lord to encourage and help us to grow in faith and in the grace of God, we must be ready to disciple others. This is a command of the Gospel.
Barnabas saw the “grace of God” at Antioch. This made his heart glad and he “exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” The true Christian resolves to cleave, to remain close to their Lord. King David spoke of this fellowship with God: “Thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. ...I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait I say on the Lord” (Ps. 27:9-14).
The Christian knows God’s help and deliverance, and asks that he would never be rejected. He asks this because he knows that the Lord will keep his promise to never let him go. The child of God knows that he is tied to the Lord with the golden cord of grace. He waits on the Lord. He binds himself to the Lord who holds him. We bind ourselves to the Lord, resting upon Him alone for our strength and endurance.

These words of David become our words:
“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.”-Psalm 27:13-14
There is much joy in the heart of the Christian to see the preaching of the Gospel proclaimed in power, as the Lord raises up servants to preach his Word. The “faithful servants of Christ must rejoice (as did Barnabas) when they see the gospel increase, by whomsoever God shall make his name known. And assuredly those which help one another, so that they acknowledge that all the effect which springeth thence is the work of God, will never envy one another, neither will they seek to carp [at] one another, but will, with one mouth and mind, praise the power of God” (Calvin).
Luke adds a note of the servant who was sent to Antioch: “For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” Barnabas could say with Paul, “I am not ashamed the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth … For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17). Barnabas was a man of faith, one who was fully persuaded that Jesus was the Christ, and had confidence in the Word of Truth as revealed to him by the Spirit. Thus should our faith be as we come to Christ and the Scriptures. Barnabas was ‘good.’ Good in the sense that he was profitable as a servant of God, benevolent in his love toward the saints.

ACTS 10 - THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Acts 10:34-48

Introduction
The risen Lord Jesus gave this promise and command to his apostles: "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter and John, Stephen and Philip, along with other faithful disciples, proclaimed the gospel to those at Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, and to the Ethiopian, who would bring the gospel to Africa.
The Gospel of Christ would, by way of preaching and discipling, go to the uttermost part of the earth. The Lord gives two visions, one to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, the other to the apostle Peter. Not only will the gospel be preached faithfully to all parts of the earth, but from generation to generation. For in every age, from every tongue and nation, the Word of God would be used of the Spirit to bring to the Father those for whom Christ had died.
It is written that Cornelius was a devout man who "feared God with all his house," praying to God and giving to the poor (Acts 10:2). To this child of God the Lord gave a vision: the angel of the Lord speaking to him, "Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God" (10:4). Cornelius' desire was answered by the Lord in the sending of him to Peter, who would tell him what he ought to do.
Meanwhile Peter heard the word of the Lord through a vision (Acts 10:11-15), where he saw heaven open, "and a certain vessel descending unto him ... Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts ... wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air." He was then commanded to eat those things which were considered common or unclean. At Peter's refusal the Lord said (three times), "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common." The wall of separation between Jew and Gentile was broken down. Therefore, when Cornelius came to Peter, Peter said to him, “Stand up; I myself also am a man. ... God hath shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (10:26-28). Paul would write to the church at Ephesus: "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ; for he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" (Eph. 2:13-14).

Preaching Peace –Acts 10:34-38
Peter came to the house of Cornelius, to his household and to his friends. Peter came to hearts prepared by the living God. For Cornelius rejoiced, saying, “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.”
Peter replied, “Of truth I perceived that God is no respecter of person: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
Peter's message began with this truth: God is no respecter of persons. No wall of hindrance should be placed before the preaching of the Gospel whereby men and women are saved. We will not be known by the company we keep but by our love for lost souls. We look not to the outward appearance but to the inward soul which shall live eternally. Therefore, they who fear God and do the work of righteousness, is accepted by God no matter where they live. Cornelius and his friends and family are accepted on the same basis as any other people.
What is this righteousness but the word which God sent to the children of Israel, the word which belongs to the Gentiles as well. This word is the preaching of peace which comes through Christ Jesus. The wall of enmity is broken down between people as well as between God and his people. Peter then tells of the incarnate Christ, Jesus, whose healing and casting out of demons attest to His divine nature. For God was with him.

We Are Witnesses –Acts 10:39-43
Peter goes on to testify that the he and others of the disciples were witnesses of those things which Jesus did “both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem.” The apostles were eye-witnesses to the death of Christ on Calvary's tree. They were also witnesses to the resurrection of Christ Jesus, whom “God raised upon the third day.” The resurrection of Christ was not a secret event, but an open historical fact. The risen Lord did show himself to "witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.”
The atonement, the substitutionary work of our Savior upon his tree, and his bodily resurrection, is at the heart of the Gospel which we preach. What Cornelius and his friends were hearing was the good news of the Messiah, the Great High Priest, who offered himself in our place, receiving the punishment for sins which belonged to us.
The apostles were commanded to preach to the people, and testify to the truth that Jesus “was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.” The risen Lord, the divine (second) Person of the Godhead, was designated to be the judge of our souls. When Paul set Timothy apart for the preaching ministry, he charged him before God and “the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:1). Timothy was to preach the Gospel, the word of God, to be “instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). Men live or die in their service to their King. “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living" (Rom. 14:9).
Jesus is both Judge and Savior. Peter gives an invitation to life, eternal and abundantly in Christ. This same Jesus who died and rose again from the dead is the Messiah of whom the prophets themselves were witnesses. The witness is this, that through the person of Christ Jesus “whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” We know our Savior lives that he has died for the sins of his people. Our witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ must be as firm as that of Peter's, that whosoever believes in, trust in Christ as he is revealed in the Holy Scriptures, will be saved, we will know that our sins are forgiven in Christ alone.

Those Who Believed –Acts 10:44-48
The blessing of God upon the Gentiles is received by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit revealed by sign of tongues. They received the filling of the Holy Spirit as did the apostles on the day of Pentecost. They began to speak in different languages, magnifying and glorifying God.
While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit “fell on all them which heard the word.” Never divorce the preaching from the hearing of the word of God; for without the understanding given by the Holy Spirit, there is no hope. When we pray to our heavenly Father, for the blessing upon the preacher or evangelist, let us also pray for the hearts and souls of the hearers; in other words, the work of the Comforter who alone leads us into all truth. This includes our own hearing, that it may receive the blessing of gospel preaching from the right preaching of the Word of God.
These Gentile believers (of the circumcision) in Jehovah believed and with much astonishment. For the gift of the Holy Spirit had poured out upon the Gentiles. Therefore they were not to be denied baptism. Gentile and Jew, all who put their faith in the Lord Jesus as their Savior, being blessed by the Spirit of God, are one, each individual receiving the same grace and belonging to the same Body, the church.
The proselytes, those who feared the God of the Old Testament were no longer to be looked at as second class citizens. There is only on class of people in the Body of Christ, the one redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Eph. 2:19-20).

ACTS 9 - THE LORD'S DISCIPLE

The Lord’s Disciple
Acts 9:1-22

Introduction
The church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is made up of people, created after the image of God, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. There are people fishermen, carpenters, lawyers, congressmen, businessmen, laborers, and heads of households or leaders of nations; men and women out of every nation. The people of today are in its truest sense no different than those of the days of the apostles. Sin has darkened the heart and only Christ is the light that pierces this darkness. There is no sin today that has beset the life that the people in the days of Paul had to face.
The Book of Acts is the revelation of the Spirit's work with people, with the souls of those who have transgress, repented, and believed. There are also the souls of those who rebel and forever know the wrath of God. The preaching of the gospel and the growth of the church is as viable today as it was then. And there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, today, as it was when the darkest of hearts came to know Jesus then.
One of these souls was Saul, whose name was changed to Paul. His threats would be changed to witness; his persecution would turn to love of the brethren. And what a love it was. Paul expressed his darkness, saying, "For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it" (Gal. 1:13). He declared the light which pierced the darkness as that of the grace of God: "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace" (Gal. 1:15). This divine transformation of the soul resulted in God's glory: "And they glorified God in me" (Gal. 1:24).

Who Art Thou? –Acts 9:1-7
Saul was a Pharisee “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” He went to the high priest requesting letters of introduction to the Damascus synagogues that he may root out those found in the way of Christ, to “bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” After his conversion, Paul testified to the harm he desired against the Christians, especially in Jerusalem: “and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them” (Acts 26:10-11).
As Saul came near the city of Damascus a light shown suddenly from heaven. He heard a voice speak to him, saying, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” The church of our Lord Jesus Christ is his body. You cannot reject the body without blaspheming the Head. Saul must learn that to persecute Jesus is to reject him as the Messiah sent from the Father. Jesus said, “He who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges him” (John 12:48). Also, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Matt. 12:30).
The Sovereign God reaches down from his throne of grace and lays hold upon his chosen servant. He will not only save Saul but use him for His glory. Saul would become Paul with much thanksgiving and rejoicing.
The heart of Saul is being humbled. No longer being able to direct his wrath against Jesus, he quietly asks, “Who art thou, Lord.” Paul is convicted of his sin and then moved to repent: “the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” The word of the Lord will not return to him empty, it will accomplish what he wishes to accomplish. The Lord, the Good Shepherd seeks to save the sheep of his pasture.
Saul confesses his new found faith in Christ as his Savior and Master, saying, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” To which the Lord answers, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” As with every newly born again Christian, Saul must wait to hear what is the nature of his discipleship. For we not only grow in the Word of God but we also serve in that Word. Saul was used with the gifts given him of the Lord, so must we wait on him and see how our gifts and talents will be ours in the service of the King.

The Lord's Disciple –Acts 9:8-12
Saul rose from the earth and as he opened his eyes he was unable to see. He was “led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.” He stayed for three days “without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.”
Meanwhile, in the city of Damascus, there was a disciple whose name was Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, saying, “Ananias.” He replied, “Behold, I am here, Lord.” Again, a servant of the Lord Jesus finds peace when called upon in a vision. The heart of the disciple is prepared to hear from the Lord. Ananias hears his Lord, saying, “Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.”
Note these things: 1. the heart of the Lord’s disciple knows who is speaking to him. 2. The Lord knows that his disciple will obey him, telling him where he should go to meet Saul. 3. The Lord is, at the same time, working in the heart of Saul, for he is telling Saul about Ananias. 4. Ananias is also told that he is to be an instrument of healing, Saul would receive his sight. The Lord sovereignly acts in the lives of his saints. What a glory these saints beheld as they were bought face to face with their Savior.

New Sight Received –Acts 9:13-20
However, Ananias speaks his heart, for he has heard of the evil this man Saul had accomplished among the saints at Jerusalem, and the authority he carried from the chief priests in order to “bind all that call on thy name.”
The assurance that the Lord gives to Ananias is grounded in this one particular fact, that the Lord has chosen Saul to be an instrument of obedience in his hand. The Lord says to Ananias: “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.”
Paul was to be a chosen vessel or instrument in the hand of the King of kings. Ananias, another chosen disciple of Christ, went to Saul, and putting his hand on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee ... sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” Immediately, he received his sight, and was baptized. Saul was united with Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, now made a saint, set apart as the servant of the Lord.
Saul, soon to be called Paul, later defended his commission as an apostle of Christ, telling his hearers that it was through Ananias that he received the command of the Lord: “The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For you will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.” (Acts 22:14-15). It was Jehovah, the Triune God who chose Paul to see Jesus and hear his voice and to testify to all men of what he had seen and heard. And so Paul preached Christ!
We must also see our calling as having a divine source as well as having a divine nature. It is not that we have made the choice to serve, but that our Savior has chosen us to serve him. We are not volunteers, as if we can claim the time and place of our service. Neither are we observers, looking for others to do what ought to be done. The Lord has placed us in his body, the church. We are not all ears or hands, but, with the talents and gifts and time, etc., that the Lord has given us, he places us in his body to do what he wants to be done. We are to exercise our calling with the strength and obedience that he has gracious given us.

Proclaim the Risen Lord! –Acts 9:20-22
Saul now preached Christ “that he is the Son of God.” Persecuting the Christians’ Saul was denying the death and resurrection of Jesus; thus repudiating the truth that he was God’s Messiah. He had now met the risen Lord. He now heralded, proclaimed vociferously that Jesus was the Messiah, the anointed Savior. He also clearly affirmed in his preaching that Christ Jesus was a partaker of the divine nature of God. Saul, who once went to the chief priests for letters of approval to bind the Christians for destruction, now preached Christ. Saul increased in strength, confounding “the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the very Christ.” Trained well in the Scriptures, and by the Spirit of God, Saul brought forth arguments and proofs from God’s prophecies, fulfilled in Christ Jesus. He spoke the “wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 2:7), a revealed mystery of heaven. He summed up his wisdom in these words, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16).
Jesus said that “God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18). Because of this the Jews “sought the more to kill him.” His answer an affirmation of the truth that he was truly the Son of God, “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself” (5:26). Those who closed their ears to his testimony did so before the very light that they possessed. Jesus called them to “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me” (5:39). We need not look to the sky for some special revelation through a bright light. God has given us the written Word that speaks of Christ. The beloved Apostle wrote: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25). John further informs us of God’s revelation, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (20:31).
When we come to the Scriptures, we are looking to see Jesus Christ, risen and alive. We come to God’s Word looking for Jesus, to be taught by the Spirit that he is alive and with us. Our faith in Christ as the risen Savior is affirmed in our hearts. We rejoice in the words of those who met the risen Christ on their way to Emmaus, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32).

Acts 8 - Except You Guide Me!

Acts 8:4-8, 26-40
Philip asks this question: “Do you understand what you are reading?”
The Ethiopian replied: “How can I, except some man should guide me?”
“Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”

Introduction
Christ Jesus gave this promise to His disciples: “. . . the Comforter which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” [John 14:26]. Jesus had promised that, though He would leave them, His death would bring them sorrow, however, He would be with them for He would live: “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me; because I live, ye shall live also” [14:19]. He had promised that He would “not leave” them “comfortless” [18]. Christ would not remove or send away their ‘guiding teacher.’
Christ sent us the Holy Spirit as our ‘parakletos’ or ‘Comforter.’ Christ calls the Spirit to ‘walk alongside’ or to be our aid, especially as the One who pleads our case before the Divine Judge, our advocate. He is our Intercessor, our helper, one who gives us divine strength, that we might be able to undergo the trials and temptations that we face as subjects of King Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is our Teacher. Matthew Henry wrote, “To all the saints, the Spirit of grace is given to be a remembrancer, and to him, by faith and prayer, we should commit the keeping of what we hear and know.” This is a good picture of a true disciple of Christ Jesus, one who studies in the expectation that the Holy Spirit of grace will be the divine Instructor, and that He would, at the needed time, bring to remembrance what He has written upon our hearts, the Word which we have studied and retained.
What was intended to be a defeat for the Christians became a call to preach the word of God. Those who were scattered "went every where preaching the word" (Acts 8:4). The preaching of the word by Stephen did not return to God void of a blessing. The Lord appointed another servant, Philip, who went to the city of Samaria, "and preached Christ unto them." The Holy Spirit was active in Philip as the people heard the gospel, witnessing the unclean spirits crying out and leaving the possessed, and the sick healed.
The message of Philip was most clear concerning the kingdom of God. Peter and John were sent to be with Philip, undergirding his ministry. For the sign of the presence of the Spirit would be given them. Philip and the apostles "preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans."
It is the preaching of the word of God, holding high the standard, the gospel banner, that is the vanguard of the Kingdom. It is the word of God whose majestic truth shines brightly to give glory to God in Christ Jesus as the only way to the Father. For there is salvation in no other name except that of the Son whom the Father sent.

Spirit Sends Acts 8:26-29
The angel of the Lord is sent to Philip, saying, "Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert." The first step in any evangelistic effort is the acknowledgment that it is the work of the Spirit of God. It is the Lord who sends.
Philip goes and finds a man of Ethiopia, a Chancellor "of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all of her treasure." He was also a proselyte who came to worship Jehovah. God had chosen the object of His grace.
This Ethiopian from the Queen's court was returning from Jerusalem. He was sitting in his chariot reading "Isaiah the prophet." The Holy Spirit commanded Philip, "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." Philip was God's obedient evangel as he came near to the Ethiopian. Philip is to stick closer than a brother, for the opportunity is not to be lost. The Spirit of God has worked all things together for both the witness and the receiving of the gospel. Too often reliance is made on what we can do to make the situation such as would provoke a response.
The church and individuals seek to witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ through the study of God's Word, prayer, expectation of being sent by the Spirit, and obedience to the call.

Scripture Speaks Acts 8:30-35
The second step of any evangelistic effort is a desire to see the soul of another saved, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, whereby the person responds with faith and repentance. The Christian's desire is to see the fruit of the Savior's work on His cross, hearing His words: "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish" (Matt.18:11-14).
Philip had a great love for the soul of this Ethiopian. He ran to him, and as he did he heard him reading aloud from Isaiah. Philip asked him, "Understandest thou what thou readest?" Philip understood the need of the Ethiopian, the need to know Christ as the only way, truth, and life. And he knew that the only map, the only word of direction which would lead this man to his heavenly Father, and therefore eternal life, was the word of God. And God had provided the word which was in the hand of the Ethiopian.
The third step of evangelism is complete faith in the word of God to change lives. Surely by the grace of God and the work of the Spirit, and through the word of God, Written.
The Lord had already been working in the heart of the Ethiopian. For he did not question whether or not Philip had the right or not to intervene upon his thoughts, but responded from a heart made ready for the question. For the question spoke to a heart made humble by the Spirit. He asked, "How can I, except some man should guide me?" And then he asked Philip to come and sit with him.
It is recorded that the Ethiopian was reading these words, "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." We need to pray for the hearts of others to be made ready for the gospel. Were not our hearts prepared for the coming of the risen Christ that we may believe and know the forgiveness of sins?
The Ethiopian asked Philip, "I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet...? There is no other answer than that of Christ Jesus the Son of the living God. For all Scripture points us to Jesus in whom dwells the fullness of the Godhead, in whom is forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Therefore, Philip "preached unto him Jesus." Another important characteristic of Evangelism is the preaching and hearing of the Word of God. We must continue to grow in our knowledge of God's Word if we are to be used of the Spirit in directing others to Jesus.

Saint Secured Acts 8:36-39
Philip was sent to the Ethiopian. The Spirit was, at the same time, preparing the heart of Chancellor, for he had a love for the Word of God. God had already laid His grip on His lost sheep. You can almost see the countenance of each of these men shine with love and grace of their Savior. One who sees the Spirit of God at work in another's life, a soul ready to claim Christ as Savior. The other who sees the grace of God in one who is thirsting to understands Scripture, and with much hunger devours each truth as it is given him.
Therefore, as they travel together, the Ethiopian asks, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" The outward sign and seal is given to one whose heart and voice have expressed saving faith. For Philip voices the heart of this man, saying, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest;" and the confirmation comes, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." The chariot is stopped and the men go down to the water, and Philip baptizes this saint and believer in Christ.
The result is twofold. Coming out of the water Philip is caught away by the "Spirit of the Lord," and the Ethiopian goes on "his way rejoicing." Philip has finished the task for which he was sent. The Ethiopian has the joy of now knowing his salvation in Christ Jesus, yes, more than that, of knowing Christ in a very personal way. And in knowing Christ, knowing the Father who has loved him, and of knowing the regenerating work of the Spirit.
The Chancellor of Ethiopia goes on his way rejoicing. Philip “was found at Azotus; and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”