Readers familiar with the Bible will recognise that the heading refers to a book and chapter, and some will immediately be aware that it records a fascinating story. A Christian man called Philip is preaching in a city called Samaria, the crowds “paid close attention to what he said” and the outcome was “there was great joy in the city”.
Notwithstanding what some would describe as a successful evangelical campaign, Philip was told to leave for a specific area and on his way met a travelling Ethiopian eunuch. Following a mutual conversation, the Ethiopian man asked for baptism, which I believe to be the outward sign of his new relationship with Jesus as his Lord and Saviour.
But it is what happens next that intrigues me. Verse 39 tells us that “he didn’t see him (Philip) again but went on his way rejoicing”. Did his newfound faith develop, and how did he learn more about his new Christian faith? Readers familiar with this Bible account may have never considered this, or will have their own views. I feel encouraged by the words of John 14 verse 26 – The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and will cause you to remember everything I said to you.
God would not have left this man alone to face his future, but just as Philip had helped him to understand the Bible passage he had been reading, I sense God would have continued to teach him. And that belief encourages me as I hear of the many people who have become Christians through media contact and without any apparent human support.
PRAYER: We thank You for those You bring into our lives to help us to learn and mature as Christians. We pray for those who do not have that same human support, that they all may know divine help in their spiritual development. AMEN