Daily Bible Study

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Day 99 Acts 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. A man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her treasury, had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and was returning. He sat in his chariot, reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 He said, “How can I unless someone guides me?” He asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, and who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” 34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” He answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” 38 He commanded the chariot to stand still. Both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. Many times, books, magazines, pamphlets, and brochures aren’t easy to understand. You need someone to explain what you’re reading. The eunuch from Ethiopia was reading from the prophet Isaiah and didn’t understand the portion of Scripture he read. An angel sent Philip to him to explain what he read. When Philip told him the Scripture referred to Jesus, the eunuch asked to be baptized because he believed. When Philip baptized him, he went on his way, rejoicing. Many Christians need someone to explain the Scriptures to them too. It doesn’t always take a theologian to explain Scripture. Philip wasn’t a theologian. He was a simple man of faith, studying God’s Word and relying on the Holy Spirit to teach him. He was one of the men chosen by the people to help with the ministry. He was a disciple of the apostles. Acts 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “We should not leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 The saying pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. A disciple studies the Scriptures so they can make other disciples. Philip was one such person. An angel used him to bring the message of salvation to the eunuch. When the eunuch understood what he read from the prophet Isaiah, he believed and asked Philip to baptize him. He went on his way, rejoicing in his salvation, while the Holy Spirit took Philip to Azotus to continue preaching the Word. Do people come to you asking for help in understanding Scripture? Do you study the Word daily so you will be ready when people ask you for help? 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (NKJV) When you spend time in Bible study and prayer, God will use you to bring the gospel to others so they too can believe. When they believe both of you will rejoice in what God did through you. Let’s pray: Father, use me to spread the gospel to those seeking You. Open my mouth so I can be ready when the opportunity comes my way and let me rejoice in Your salvation. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 23 October 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.