A Clear Presentation
I am reminded of Phillip and the eunuch. We are all familiar with the story of Phillip crossing paths with the eunuch. The eunuch is sitting in his chariot reading the Bible (the O. T. book of Isaiah). Phillip comes by, asks him if he understands what he is reading, and he answers. Do you remember his answer? He asks a question back. He asks “How can I except some man should guide me?” Phillip then gets up into the chariot, sits down beside him and explains to him what the Bible is saying. He “preached unto him Jesus,” the Bible states. He took the portion in the O. T. about the Lord Jesus and explained it to him. By the time he was done, the eunuch settled on Christ, was baptized and both went their way. There are several things striking about this event. One, though, is the need for Phillip to explain the Bible and the Gospel to the eunuch. Well, he preached. But the point is he helped the eunuch gain an understanding of what God’s word was saying, which resulted in understanding and his conversion. So likewise this is the great need today as then. Granted, we are not all Phillip and how often do we see someone sitting, reading their Bibles? Yet the example bears learning from. It is this. It is my observation that what many people need is for someone to sit with them, open a Bible, and show them in Scriptures Who Christ is, what He has done and how they can believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is, we all agree, the word of God (not our words) that are powerful. And what better way to see that than to open that Word and have the lost person look at it and read it. The Holy Spirit can then directly address the need of that particular soul. I am afraid to many people are left with our words, not God’s Word. But more importantly, to see the need for a clear presentation of the Gospel. Consider this. Most of us are not like Phillip nor have his gifting, boldness and clarity. But we do have ones we know and are trying to reach for Christ. Have you, with those ones in your life, ever opened the Bible and shown them Christ in the Scriptures? Remember Jesus told some to search the Scriptures for in them they thought they had eternal life, but didn’t. Brethren, step out by faith in this regard. Have you ever opened a Bible and had the listener look, even read, so that God was directly speaking to them via His Word? If not, consider following this great example. There is no doubt in my mind it is greatly needed. It gets rid of all the opinions and arguments. It puts the sinner in direct contact with a living God. It is God’s way. It will not return void. It is bound to be blessed by the Lord.