I love the old Superman TV shows from when I was a child. At a moment’s notice, Clark would transform into Superman to meet someone’s needs. Well, Philip, in Acts 8, was our first Superman. In Acts 8:26, we see where an angel tells Philip to go to Gaza. He was in Samaria when he was given the command. Gaza was near the confines between Palestine and Egypt. It was the direct road from Jerusalem to Egypt. Ethiopia was one of the great kingdoms of Africa. There, he met a man from Ethiopia who was reading the scriptures, a man of great prominence. He was in great authority under the Queen. Philip ran beside the chariot and could hear him reading the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him if he understood what he was reading, but his response was, “How can I, except some man, guide me?” Philip got in the chariot with him and explained the gospel. The man was saved!
Act 8:26-31: “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
Act 8:35 – 37 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
The charge is no different for us today. Millions don’t understand the simple plan of salvation. They can read, but they don’t comprehend. We are the ones who need to “climb up in the chariot” and tell them. We need to “run alongside” others until they show interest. We need to be there to answer their questions and help them understand.
The Ethiopian had obviously been around other Christians enough to know about baptism. After he proclaimed his belief, his next question was, “What is keeping me from being baptized?”
Here comes the “Superman” part.
Act 8:39-40 “And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.”
The Bible tells us that as they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip, and the Ethiopian eunuch saw him no more. Philip was found 32 miles from where he was when he baptized the Ethiopian. Amazing! Not only do we have the first Superman flying through the air, but we also see a man saved!
God had a plan, and he still has a plan for saving people. He doesn’t want anyone to perish. However, he works through people. Most of all, people like you and me who are willing to obey. No one had to coax Philip into going; no one had to discuss all the details with him. Philip didn’t ask, “Who am I going to see,” or “What if he won’t listen.” Philip simply obeyed. No bargaining with God or putting it on his calendar. No excuses at ALL! Obedience was Philip’s plan.
Have you ever felt God wanted you to witness to someone, but you put it off? Do you make excuses for not going on outreach? If there is no time to reach out, then you need to rearrange your schedule. Keep the Main Thing, The Main Thing. Nothing is nearer to God’s heart than for a sinner to come home.
