Gospel in Samaria
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and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.” This Ethiopian was
a man of good standing and of wide influence. God saw that when
converted he would give others the light he had received and would
exert a strong influence in favor of the gospel. Angels of God were
attending this seeker for light, and he was being drawn to the Saviour.
By the ministration of the Holy Spirit the Lord brought him into touch
with one who could lead him to the light.
Philip was directed to go to the Ethiopian and explain to him the
prophecy that he was reading. “Go near,” the Spirit said, “and join
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thyself to this chariot.” As Philip drew near, he asked the eunuch,
“Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I,
except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he
would come up and sit with him.” The scripture that he was reading
was the prophecy of Isaiah relating to Christ: “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.”
“Of whom speaketh the prophet this?” the eunuch asked, “of him-
self, or of some other man?” Then Philip opened to him the great truth
of redemption. Beginning at the same scripture, he “preached unto
him Jesus.”
The man’s heart thrilled with interest as the Scriptures were ex-
plained to him; and when the disciple had finished, he was ready to
accept the light given. He did not make his high worldly position an
excuse for refusing the gospel. “As they went on their way, they came
unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what
doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with
all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to
stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and
the eunuch; and he baptized him.
“And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he
went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing
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through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”
This Ethiopian represented a large class who need to be taught
by such missionaries as Philip—men who will hear the voice of God