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Philip the Deacon, September 25
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this
chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet
Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Acts 8:29, 30
.
God is looking down from His throne, and is sending His angels to this
earth to cooperate with those who are teaching the truth. Read the record of
the experience of Philip and the eunuch. “The angel of the Lord spake unto
Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down
from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and,
behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen
of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to
Jerusalem for to worship, was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias
the prophet” (
Acts 8:26-28
)....
This incident shows the care that the Lord has over every mind that is
susceptible to the truth. We see how closely the ministration of heavenly
angels is connected with the work of the Lord’s servants on this earth.
A burden was placed upon Philip to enter new places, to break up fresh
ground. Direction was given him by an angel who was watching for every
opportunity to bring men into connection with their fellow men. Philip was
sent “toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto
Gaza, which is desert” (
verse 26
). This brought him into touch with a man of
wide influence, who, when converted, would communicate to others the light
of truth. By the Lord’s working through Philip, the man was convinced of the
truth, and was converted and baptized. He was a highway hearer, a man of
good standing, who would exert a strong influence in favor of the truth.
Today, as then, angels of heaven are waiting to lead men to their fellow
men. An angel showed Philip where to find this man, who was so ready to
receive the truth, and today angels of God will guide and direct the footsteps
of those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify their tongues and
refine and ennoble their hearts.—
The Review and Herald, April 20, 1905
.
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