“the rest of the story”
“ ‘How can I,’ the man replied, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ ” —Acts 8:31 Jesus, crucified and risen, is the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures (Mt 5:17). Jesus is not merely a great teacher or prophet. Jesus is the Messiah (Mk 14:61-62). He is God! (Jn 1:1; 8:58)
Traveling on the road to Gaza, Philip the deacon imitated what Jesus did on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24:16ff) by interpreting a passage of Scripture which referred to Jesus (Acts 8:35; Is 53:7-8). “Philip launched out with this Scripture passage as his starting point, telling [the Ethiopian] the good news of Jesus” (Acts 8:35; see also Lk 24:27ff). He explained that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Scriptures and taught the necessity of Baptism. Philip’s instruction was so well done that the Ethiopian was ready to be baptized as soon as he saw a body of water (Acts 8:37-39).
When we unpack the Bible and show Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Scriptures, people’s hearts burn within them (see Lk 24:32). Therefore, we should make our home in the Word of God (Jn 8:31-32). Like Philip, let’s be ever ready (1 Pt 3:15) to share the Good News of Jesus with others.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, may my heart burn with the Good News of Jesus the Messiah, Lord, Savior, and God. Make me a fruitful ambassador of the Gospel (2 Cor 5:20).
Promise: “Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me.” —Jn 6:45
Praise: Martha often prays, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Alleluia! Praise the Holy Name of Jesus!”
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
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