Articles
The Conversion Of The Eunuch
Those who earnestly desire to know and understand God's word can do so. This is evident in the accounts of conversion in the book of Acts. No honest mind could read these simple, straightforward lessons, and not get the point. Consider the conversion of the eunuch from Ethiopia.
This account of conversion could be called: The work of the four. There were four agents involved in this conversion (Acts 8:26-40). First, we read about the angel of the Lord; the angel told Philip the evangelist to travel south to Gaza (v.26). Angels are extremely popular in our society. People are looking for ways to validate their "better felt than told feelings.” The movie Michael (played by John Travolta), portrayed angels in a less than favorable light. Please note that the angel exerted no direct influence on the eunuch. The eunuch did not need the angel in order to be saved. The angel was sent to instruct Philip, and that is all. Do you find it interesting that Philip never gave his "testimony" about seeing an angel?
Consider the work of the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:29 says: "And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot." The Holy Spirit guided Philip in his work; the Holy Spirit did not need to work on the eunuch directly to bring about salvation. There was no miraculous communication between the Holy Spirit and eunuch. Does the Holy Spirit work in conversion today? No one who knows the Bible would deny otherwise. The Holy Spirit guided inspired men "unto all truth" (John 16: 13). The Holy Spirit worked in the matter of revealing and confirming the Word of God (Mark 16:20). Yes, the Holy Spirit works today. He works through the medium of the Word to effect change in the hearts of men and women who will listen to His words.
Consider the work of Philip. This preacher asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading (v.30). Note the emphasis on what the word of God said. Philip did not ask the eunuch to recite his own personal feelings, or to tell some story, or to relate some emotional experience. Philip simply began at the place from which the eunuch was reading (Isaiah 53) and preached Jesus unto him. Conversion always starts with God's word; there is no substitute for it.
Consider the role of the eunuch in this matter. He was an important government man; he was a religious man (v.27). What more did he need? He needed the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was interested in being further instructed about Jesus Christ (v.31). There are many things Philip could have said to this man, especially when we consider the portion of scripture they were studying. The eunuch got the point! After coming to a certain body of water, the eunuch wanted to know what would keep him from obeying the Lord in baptism. He had heard the word of God. He obviously believed the words that were preached to him. He understood that his life was incomplete without the Lord and so, by faith, he yielded to heaven's demands and was baptized for the remission of his sins. God did not make him do this. Philip did not make him do this. The angel and the Holy Spirit did not make him do this. He obeyed because he was convicted he needed to obey the Lord. If you have not joined the eunuch in obedience to the Lord, you need to do so NOW!
Randy Harshbarger
