THE SIX QUESTIONS (ACTS 8:26-40): AN EXEMPLARY RESPONSE
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. The Six Questions
a) An Ethiopian, travelling by chariot on a lonely road, was reading Isaiah 53. He wondered who the prophet was speaking about. God answered his question.
b) We find six questions in Acts 8:26-40, and all of them are very important.
i) First, Philip asks, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
ii) Then the Ethiopian asks, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”
iii) He also asks, “Please, will you come up and sit with me in my chariot, and help me understand?”
iv) When Philip is seated, the Ethiopian asks the key question, “Who is the prophet speaking about — is it himself or someone else?”
v) After a while, the Ethiopian asks his fourth question, “Look! Here is water. What prevents me from being baptized?”
vi) Philip replies by asking the Ethiopian, “Do you believe with all your heart? If you do, you may be baptized.”
2. An Exemplary Response
a) As Philip explained this, the worshiper from Jerusalem would appreciate the message. He was a listener of a rare kind. We should have the deepest respect for the question he asked, and for the example he sets by his response.
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16)
b) When Philip preached the message of the cross, the gospel of Christ, the Ethiopian believed what Philip had taught him. He was ready and eager to respond to the message.
The End ...
1. The Six Questions a) An Ethiopian, travelling by chariot on a lonely road, was reading Isaiah 53. He wondered who the prophet was speaking about. God answered his question.
b) We find six questions in Acts 8:26-40, and all of them are very important.
i) First, Philip asks, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
ii) Then the Ethiopian asks, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”
iii) He also asks, “Please, will you come up and sit with me in my chariot, and help me understand?”
iv) When Philip is seated, the Ethiopian asks the key question, “Who is the prophet speaking about — is it himself or someone else?”
v) After a while, the Ethiopian asks his fourth question, “Look! Here is water. What prevents me from being baptized?”
vi) Philip replies by asking the Ethiopian, “Do you believe with all your heart? If you do, you may be baptized.”
2. An Exemplary Response
a) As Philip explained this, the worshiper from Jerusalem would appreciate the message. He was a listener of a rare kind. We should have the deepest respect for the question he asked, and for the example he sets by his response.
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18). "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16)
b) When Philip preached the message of the cross, the gospel of Christ, the Ethiopian believed what Philip had taught him. He was ready and eager to respond to the message.
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