the acts of the apostles-第20章
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Redeemer。
With Joseph of Arimathea； Nicodemus had borne the expense of the burial of
Jesus。 The disciples had been afraid to show themselves openly as Christ's
followers； but Nicodemus and Joseph had come boldly to their aid。 The help
of these rich and honored men was greatly needed in that hour of darkness。
They had been able to do for their dead Master what it would have been
impossible for the poor disciples to do； and their wealth and influence had
protected them； in a great measure； from the malice of the priests and
rulers。
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Now； when the Jews were trying to destroy the infant church； Nicodemus came
forward in its defense。 No longer cautious and questioning； he encouraged
the faith of the disciples and used his wealth in helping to sustain the
church at Jerusalem and in advancing the work of the gospel。 Those who in
other days had paid him reverence； now scorned and persecuted him； and he
became poor in this world's goods； yet he faltered not in the defense of his
faith。
The persecution that came upon the church in Jerusalem resulted in giving a
great impetus to the work of the gospel。 Success had attended the ministry
of the word in that place； and there was danger that the disciples would
linger there too long； unmindful of the Saviour's commission to go to all
the world。 Forgetting that strength to resist evil is best gained by
aggressive service； they began to think that they had no work so important
as that of shielding the church in Jerusalem from the attacks of the enemy。
Instead of educating the new converts to carry the gospel to those who had
not heard it； they were in danger of taking a course that would lead all to
be satisfied with what had been accomplished。 To scatter His representatives
abroad； where they could work for others； God permitted persecution to come
upon them。 Driven from Jerusalem； the believers 〃went everywhere preaching
the word。〃
Among those to whom the Saviour had given the commission； 〃Go ye therefore；
and teach all nations〃 （Matthew 28：19）； were many from the humbler walks of
lifemen and women who had learned to love their Lord and who had
determined to follow His example of unselfish service。
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To these lowly ones； as well as to the disciples who had been with the
Saviour during His earthly ministry； had been given a precious trust。 They
were to carry to the world the glad tidings of salvation through Christ。
When they were scattered by persecution they went forth filled with
missionary zeal。 They realized the responsibility of their mission。 They
knew that they held in their hands the bread of life for a famishing world；
and they were constrained by the love of Christ to break this bread to all
who were in need。 The Lord wrought through them。 Wherever they went； the
sick were healed and the poor had the gospel preached unto them。
Philip； one of the seven deacons； was among those driven from Jerusalem。 He
〃went down to the city of Samaria； and preached Christ unto them。 And the
people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake；
hearing and seeing the miracles while he did。 For unclean spirits 。 。 。 came
out of many that were possessed with them： and many taken with palsies； and
that were lame； were healed。 And there was great joy in that city。〃
Christ's message to the Samaritan woman with whom He had talked at Jacob's
well had borne fruit。 After listening to His words； the woman had gone to
the men of the city； saying； 〃Come； see a man； which told me all things that
ever I did： is not this the Christ？ They went with her； heard Jesus； and
believed on Him。 Anxious to hear more； they begged Him to remain。 For two
days He stayed with them； 〃and many more believed because of His own word。〃
John 4：29； 41。
And when His disciples were driven from Jerusalem；
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some found in Samaria a safe asylum。 The Samaritans welcomed these
messengers of the gospel； and the Jewish converts gathered a precious
harvest from among those who had once been their bitterest enemies。
Philip's work in Samaria was marked with great success； and； thus
encouraged； he sent to Jerusalem for help。 The apostles now perceived more
fully the meaning of the words of Christ； 〃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。
While Philip was still in Samaria； he was directed by a heavenly messenger
to 〃go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto
Gaza。 。 。 。 And he arose and went。〃 He did not question the call； nor did he
hesitate to obey； for he had learned the lesson of conformity to God's will。
〃And； behold； a man of Ethiopia； a 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。〃 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
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Spirit said； 〃and join 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 himself； 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 explained 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
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was found at Azotus： and passing 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 Philipmen who will hear the voice of God and go where He
sends them。 There are many who are reading the Scriptures who cannot
understand their true import。 All over the world men and women are looking
wistfully to heaven。 Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls
longing for light； for grace； for the Holy Spirit。 Many are on the verge of
the kingdom； waiting only to be gathered in。
An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light and who was
ready to receive the gospel； and today angels will guide the footsteps of
those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify their tongues and
refine and ennoble their hearts。 The angel sent to Philip could himself have
done the work for the Ethiopian； but this is not God'
