Truth Magazine

By Philip W. Martin 

The conversion of the Apostle Paul is one of the most striking accounts in the book of Acts. The details of the account are not given in one place, so to fully understand it we must consider all of them (Acts 9:1-18; 22:1-16; 26; 1 Tim 1:12-17). To begin to understand the conversion of Saul, we must first examine what we know of his life prior to our knowledge of him. Paul (Saul) was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:26), a Pharisee (Acts 23:6), a student of Gamaliel, a Jew (Acts 22:3), someone who had attained a certain amount of respect in the Jewish community of that time. 

When Stephan was martyred, he was there to hold the cloaks of those involved for he was in agreement with what they were doing (Acts 7:58-8:1). He persecuted the church with zeal unmatched in the New Testament (Acts 8:3). So much so that he went to other cities to stop what he saw as the destruction of the nation of Israel by what he saw as heretics.

It is on this trip that we begin to see the conversion of Saul. “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (Acts 9:3-4). One of the first things that I notice when I look at this moment when the gospel was being introduced to Saul is who the speaker was; it was our Lord and Savior, the very one Saul was persecuting. Who else could have had such a chance? Anyone else who would have tried to talk to him surely would have been put to death and imprisoned. He had persecuted others many times before.

So Saul was lead by the hand to Damascus so that he might hear what he must do. For three days he neither ate nor drank and it would be safe to say that he had plenty of time to consider what past sins he had committed. While there, Ananias was sent to him and he was told what he should do: “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Is there any doubt as to what Saul should do so that he might be saved? So simple is the command and great the reward. Saul displays the nature of faith plainly; God said it and he believed it. Right away Saul begins to preach and teach about the Christ, that Jesus was indeed the Messiah saying, “He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). After growing in strength and confounding the Jews in Damascus for some time, they were seeking to kill him so he left for Jerusalem where he joined himself to the disciples there.

Saul’s life gives us a unique opportunity to look at a Christian and his behavior in close detail both before and after his conversion. Saul epitomizes the nature of true repentance. After he heard the words that would help lead him to salvation and obeyed those words, he from that point forward becomes one of the staunchest defenders of the faith. At the close of his days he had the moral fortitude to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). Earlier it was said, “Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem” (Acts 9:13). Saul completely turns his actions around and protects this cause he once hunted.

In an old hymn we hear the words sung from time to time, “Did you repent, fully repent of your past sins, friend?” Of this Paul could have answered with a resounding yes!

We can look at Paul’s life and his work to see how he used this new found salvation. He goes from a time of being the persecutor to a life of persecution. In the book of 2 Corinthians he gives a small listing of some of the things he had endured: “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep, in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false bretren, in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” (2 Cor. 11:24-27).

This messenger of God inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit even received abuse by his fellow Christians (2 Cor. 10:10). All the while he learned to be content in whatever situation he was in (Phil. 4:11).

We can learn many important things from the life and conversion of Paul. He was one who understood and lived the simple life of a Christian in a tough and trying time, obeying the simple commands given unto him and placing his ultimate trust in God. He was open and forthright with his faith never shirking or hiding from it. Paul would rather have let his own freedoms be curtailed than to even risk offending his brother in Christ. But he was not one to hide from controversy or let sin and worldly ways invade the church. We would do well to reconsider our own ideas and actions and see if we truly are the example Paul wanted Timothy to be. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim 4:12). Possibly one day we too can have the faith to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7). 

By Jesse Flowers 

When one comes to the eighth chapter of the Book of Acts, one comes to a very crucial time in the spread of the gospel in the first century. In the opening verses we read of a great persecution arising against the church immediately following the stoning of Stephen. A young, not yet converted Paul, goes about harassing and tormenting those belonging to the Way. Something which would normally be viewed as negative, turns into something quite positive: “Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).

In the following verse we are introduced to a Christian and gospel preacher by the name of Philip. Of course, we are first introduced to him back in Acts 6, Philip being among the seven chosen to serve in a special capacity in administering to the Hellenistic widows that were being neglected in the daily distribution. He was chosen on ac- count of his good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom (Acts 6:3). In Acts 8:5, we read of Philip going down to the city of Samaria in order to preach Christ to them. Preceding Jesus’ ascension he told the apostles that they would be witnesses to him in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). The gospel of Christ had been proclaimed in Jerusalem and Judea, now the “good news” was brought to Samaria.

Philip is the man who makes his way to this despised area of Palestine, and there he begins to preach and teach. We find that the multitudes heeded the things spoken by Philip concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, and both men and women were baptized. What a successful and encouraging beginning for this evangelist. As a result of his work, lives were being changed, souls were being saved, and thus a church is started in the city of Samaria. It is after this grand event that we come to the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch. The writer Luke pens these words in Acts 8:26: “Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a deserted place . . .”

For a moment, put yourself in Philip’s shoes (sandals). Here you are in Samaria preaching and large numbers of people are coming to Christ as a result of your efforts. Then in the midst of all that success, God instructs you to go to an area where, as far as you know, there isn’t anyone around! The Samaritans are hearing and obeying and now you’re being told to move on — do you ignore or do you listen? Well, Luke tells us in five words Philip’s response to the instruction he received from the angel of the Lord, “also he arose and went”. He goes from a well-populated city to an unpopulated desert. Most likely a strange request to the ears of Philip, but no questions were asked or hesitations made, for the instruction was a divine one. Behind him the good news was being preached, miracles were being performed, and people were being converted, but at God’s instruction he headed to Gaza. What an amazing attitude Philip possessed! Philip realized that this wasn’t his work he was leaving behind, it was God’s. God said, “Go,” and Philip, a man whose heart was sensitive to the word of God, went!

It is interesting to note that Gaza as a destination was really insignificant for Philip will never make it to the actual city. At this point, neither Philip or the eunuch is even aware that the other exists. Yet out in a deserted place, the road going down from Jerusalem to Gaza, God will bring the paths of this sincere seeker and this sensitive teacher together. It is on this road that we find a political leader riding in his chariot, reading the word of God and receptive to its truths. We learn that this man was employed in the service of Candace, who is described as being the queen of the Ethiopians. This eunuch was placed under tremendous responsibility for he had charge of all her treasury. He had travelled at least 800 miles in coming from Ethiopia to Jerusalem, and he had made that trip in order to worship! As the eunuch traveled back home he read aloud from the prophet Isaiah. 

It is at this point that God will bring these two individuals together. “Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and overtake this chariot” (Acts 8:29). Philip, following the Spirit’s direction, engaged the eunuch in conversation. Philip did not wait for the man to lean out of his chariot to ask him for help. Rather, Philip took the initiative to ask him simply, “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip’s tactfulness paid off. For he asked a question that opened the door for the message of the gospel to be taught. I believe it is interesting to note that Philip doesn’t shoot into some sermon, but first listens to what the Ethiopian eunuch is curious about. For part of the eunuch’s curiosity was not what was written, but to whom the passage applied. First Philip initiated the conversation, next he listened, and then he began to teach. In fact, beginning at this wonderful passage in Isaiah 53, Philip proceeds to preach Jesus to him.

Philip recognized that for a man lost in sin, Jesus is the only issue that really matters! There is a multitude of subjects that can be discussed at a later time, but Jesus isn’t one of them.

One cannot help but to wonder what kind of things Philip spoke of when he preached to the eunuch about Jesus. Once again, God’s word does not always satisfy all of our curiosities. One subject we know without a doubt that Philip spoke to the eunuch about was the subject of baptism. It only makes sense that when one preaches Jesus, one preaches about baptism. As Philip spoke to this truth seeker about the identity of the One mentioned in Isaiah 53, the preacher must have spoken of God’s eternal plan in redeeming man from his sins. And that God’s only begotten Son, came to this earth and gave his life on the cross for the world, in order that all might have the opportunity to inherit eternal life. Naturally, Philip explained to this sinner that in order to come into contact with that precious blood that was shed for him there was a need to be baptized into Christ. It then makes perfect sense when the reader comes to verse 36, and sees the response of the eunuch. 

“Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” How wonderful those words must have been to the ears of Philip! Both go down into the water, Philip baptizes the eunuch, and then when they came up out of the water the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away. Philip’s part in bringing this Ethiopian eunuch to Christ was through, and the Lord wasted no time to send him where he was needed next. Some of the sweetest words in all of this text is found in verse 39, when it simply states that the eunuch went on his way rejoicing! Because of God’s love, mercy, and grace for one soul he made it possible for this eunuch to hear the “good news” of salvation. After learning about his loving Savior and after receiving the forgiveness of sins, how could he do anything but go on his way rejoicing?! Before meeting Philip he was without Christ, but after hearing Philip tell him about Jesus, he found Christ. And didn’t each of us go on our way rejoicing when we came to Christ?!

In the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, we find a willing teacher + a sincere seeker + the providence of God = the saving of a soul. Philip started with the road the eunuch was on and from there led him to the cross. Earlier in Acts we have seen 3000 and 5000 souls saved, and it is easy to be impressed with such figures. Yet we must never forget that those big numbers represent individuals, single solitary souls. Philip was in Samaria where he was experiencing a tremendous amount of responses. God took this preacher and sent him to a desolate place and brought him across the path of a man who was searching. Sent him to a city that to our knowledge he never reached (Gaza), but in the process of his going, he was able to reach one man for Jesus. One is never a waste of time, one is never too much trouble, one is never insignificant. May God always help us to see the value of only one soul, and may that realization produce a zeal within us to bring as many souls as possible to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“Much the greater part of Acts may be resolved into a detailed history of cases of conversion, and of unsuccessful attempts at the conversion of sinners. If we extract from it all cases of this kind, with the facts and incidents preparatory to each and immediately consequent upon it, we will have exhausted almost the entire contents of the narrative. All other matters are merely incidental The events of the first chapter were designed to prepare the apostles for the work of converting men; the gift of the Holy Spirit to them and to others was to qualify them for it; the admission of the Gentiles was an incident connected with the conversion of Cornelius, and others after him; the conference, in the fifteenth chapter, grew out of these conversions; and the long account of Paul’s imprisonment in Jerusalem, Cesarea, and Rome, with sea-voyage and shipwreck, constitute but the connected history of his preaching to the mob in Jerusalem, to the Sanhedrin, to Felix to Festus, to Agrippa, and to the Jews and Gentiles in Rome. The episode in the twelfth chapter, concerning the persecutions by Herod, and his death, is designed to show that, even under such circumstances, the word of God ‘grew and multiplied.’ All the remainder of the history consists, unmistakably, in detailed accounts of conversions.

“Such being the work performed by the author, we may readily determine his design by inquiring, Why should any cases of conversion be put upon record? Evidently, it was that men might know how conversions were effected, and in what they consisted. The cases which are recorded represent all the different grades of human society; all the different degrees of intellectual and religious culture; all the common occupations in life, and all the different countries and languages of the then known world. The design of this variety is to show the adaptation of the one gospel scheme to the conversion of all classes of men.

“The history of a case of conversion necessarily embraces two distinct classes of facts: First, the agencies and instrumentalities effecting it; second, the changes effected in the individual who is the subject of it. In the pursuit of his main design, therefore, the author was led to designate specifically all these agencies, instrumentalities, and changes. He does so in order that the readers may know what agents are employed, and how they work; what instrumentalities must be used, and how they are applied; and what changes must take place, in order to the scriptural conversion of a sinner.”

By James Carter Houchen

 

The Acts of the Apostles bring great significance to those outside of the body of Christ and those who are faithful members of the Lord’s church who are enjoined upon teaching the truth of God’s will. The stoning of Stephen, a devout man of God, closes out the seventh chapter of Acts. Those who stoned him for preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ laid their coats at the feet of Saul.

The eighth chapter of Acts begins with “Saul of Tarsus,” later name the Apostle Paul, bringing persecution among the first century Christians in Jerusalem. As a result, the church was scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. Saul continued imprisoning men and women of the faith, bringing havoc on the church. Though men were scattered everywhere, the Scriptures tell us that they “went everywhere preaching the Word” (v. 4). Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to the people. As the multitudes heeded the things spoken of by Philip and saw the miracles performed as confirmation of the Word, there was “great joy in that city” (v. 8).

 

Simon Was Saved

 

Among the multitude of people present was a man named Simon, “who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming he was someone great.” After Philip had preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women believed and were baptized. In verse 13, the Scriptures record the conversion of Simon. He too believed and was baptized and continued with Philip in fascination with the miracles and signs which were done.

 

Simon Fell From Grace

 

Simon “saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given,” so he offered the apostles’ money for this gift. Peter then replied, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money . . . your heart is not right in the sight of God.” Simon responds with a penitent heart and prayerful attitude, equivalent to what should be the actions of a faithful child of God who errs in his walk with God.

 

As a child of God, the importance of daily communion with the Lord through the avenue of prayer cannot be over- emphasized or underestimated. Truly we are saved by the grace of God through faith (Eph. 2:8). However, it is clear from this chapter that a prayer of repentance to our Father in heaven through Christ Jesus is the means by accessing this grace that God gives his children when they transgress his law. Yet, there are some children of God who will perish upon the day of judgment because they have not repented of their sins. If a lesson is apparent from the story of Simon, is it not the importance of recognizing when we fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23)? Perhaps our hearts too, at times, are not right with God. In recognizing this fact, we can pray that God will forgive us. David said in Psalm 51, “For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight: that you may be found just when you speak, and blameless when you judge.” Let the words of David’s prayer of repentance to God be the words that echo in our hearts when we separate ourselves from God through sin. Those who approach sin with grief and sorrow, striving diligently to walk righteously and let their bodies, “be a living sacrifice” as they serve God, will be pleasing to him.

 

The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch

 

The apostles continued teaching in many villages of the Samaritans. Verse 26 records that, “an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, ‘Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’” Here, in the verses that follow, lies the account of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch. The eunuch had been in Jerusalem to worship, and was returning on the road toward Gaza. Sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Philip approached the chariot asking the question, “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied that he could not understand unless someone guided

him. The place in the Scripture which he was reading was this: “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.” The eunuch asked who this passage was speaking of, and then Philip opened his mouth and preached Jesus to him. As they traveled, the eunuch spotted water and asked, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Philip told the eunuch, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And the eunuch confessed, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. And the Scriptures record that the eunuch “went on his way rejoicing.”

 

It is a safe assumption to conclude that many people in the religious world claim salvation. Yet, they delete or make additions to the very steps taken by those first century Christians who were taught by the apostles who were filled with the perfect teaching of the Holy Spirit. Verse 35 records Philip preaching Jesus to the eunuch. In preaching Jesus, the next words we have recorded that leave the mouth of the eunuch are, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” In preaching Jesus, it is evident that water baptism was preached as a means of reaching the blood of Jesus. It is through this death, burial, and resurrection that we are saved (Rom. 6:4). Upon hearing the word (Rom. 10:17; John 6:45), belief in Christ must be present (Heb. 11:6; John 8:24), there must be repentance of past sins (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31), and the name of Christ must be confessed (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10). Then upon your faith, you must be buried in the waters of baptism (Mark 16:15-16; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Pet. 3:21) for the remission of your sins. The Lord then adds to his church (Acts 2:47) daily those who are being saved. To the child of God who lives faithfully (Heb. 10:23-26; Gal. 5:16-26) while upon this earth, “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Cor. 15:54).

May I add, that it is the truth by which we shall be judged (John 12:48), therefore, let us preach it and teach it (salvation) like we read it from God’s inspired book (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21). The discussion of such a vital issue can be rewarding to those who are honestly seeking the truth. “Seek the Lord, while he may be found” (Isa. 55).