Sovereign Grace Doctrines
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
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The conversion of an Ethiopian is recorded in Acts 8:26-40. This example is especially instructive, teaching us:
1. THE INTERNATIONALITY OF CHRISTIANITY. This convert was "a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship" (v.27). It is generally agreed that he was a native Ethiopian, a black man, who had become a proselyte to the Jewish faith (not a Jew of the Diaspora residing in Ethiopia, as some aver).
His conversion illustrates the universality of Christianity. The first Christian converts were Jews. But later were added converts "of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues" (Revelation 7:9). Christianity is international, not restricted to one race (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15f; Acts 1:8).
2. THE NECESSITY OF A GOSPEL PREACHER. "So Philip [a gospel preacher] ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said to him, 'Do you understand what you are reading?' And he said, 'How can I, unless someone guides me?' And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him" (vv.30f).
Here is illustrated the truth declared in Romans 10:13-15: "For 'whoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.' How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" It is for this reason that the Holy Spirit sent Philip to this man who was reading the Scriptures but not understanding them (vv.26,29; see 1 Corinthians 2:14).
3. THE CENTRALITY OF CHRIST IN ALL THE SCRIPTURES. "The place in the Scripture which he read was this [Isaiah 53:7f in the Septuagint]: 'He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away. And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.' So the eunuch answered Philip and said, 'I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?' Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him" (vv.32-35).
Jesus Christ is the theme of all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27; John 5:39). A gospel preacher will therefore take any text placed before him and head straight for Christ. The text Isaiah 53:7f was placed before Philip. Unlike the theological liberal, he did not waste his time trying to prove "which Isaiah" wrote this text. Unlike the sectarian, he did not waste his time trying to find his denomination or pet doctrine in this text. Unlike the mere expositor, he did not merely explain the meaning of the words in this text. As the ancients realized "All roads lead to Rome," gospel preachers realize "All texts lead to Christ."
4. THE PROPER CANDIDATE FOR BAPTISM. "Now as they went down the road, they came to some water [an oasis]. And the eunuch said, 'See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?' Then Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' And he answered and said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.' So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him" (vv.36-38).
The proper candidate for baptism is a believer. i. A mere believer: "If you believe ..., you may." Baptism is for only those who would be saved and justified by faith alone, apart from any other duty or requirement. ii. A personal believer: "If you believe ..., you may." Baptism is for only those who themselves believe. This truth reprobates the baptism of infants on the basis of their parents' faith. And it reprobates the Mormon doctrine of "baptism for the dead." iii. A whole-hearted believer: "If you believe with all your heart, you may." God will have no half-hearted disciples.
Have you followed the example of this Ethiopian?
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
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