Acts eight closes with another example of conversion. Having finished his work in Samaria, Philip is commissioned by an angel of the Lord to travel south toward Gaza (ver. 26). Being a godly man, Philip did not question the command, but simply arose and went (ver. 27). On the way, Philip was instructed by the Spirit to join himself to a chariot, on which an Ethiopian eunuch sat, who was returning from worshiping at Jerusalem.

When Philip reached the eunuch’s chariot, he heard him reading from the book of Isaiah and asked him if he understood what he was reading (ver. 30). Then, the eunuch invited Philip to get into the chariot and explain the text, which came from Isaiah 53 (vers. 31-34). Philip accepted the invitation, and the record tells us that he “…opened his mouth and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus” (ver. 35).

This was pure gospel teaching by Philip. He did not engage in fanciful storytelling. He did not tell the eunuch all about himself. He merely explained what Isaiah was prophesying about concern-ing Jesus. As we strive to win souls to Christ, we should follow the example of Philip and simply teach. This was Paul’s approach when he attempted to win souls for Christ. He told the saints at Corinth, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord…” (2 Corinthians 4:5).

What does it mean to preach Christ? Let me tell you what it does not mean. It does not mean to “preach the man, not the plan.” That is a catchy statement that was coined by some who did not want to defend the doctrine of Christ. The idea was to avoid what some thought was controversial teachings of the New Testament and just focus on how wonderful Christ is. The error of that con-clusion is not realizing that the man (Jesus) and the plan (the gospel of Christ) can be preached at the same time. This is precisely what Philip did.

Philip first explained the teachings of Isaiah. We know this because that was the very purpose for which the eunuch invited him into the chariot in the first place. We also know, however, that at some point Philip taught the eunuch about baptism. This is necessarily implied by the eunuch’s desire to be baptized after hearing Christ preached (ver. 36).

The story of Philip and the eunuch is a perfect example of conversion. It mirrored what happened on the day of Pentecost when about three thousand souls were saved after they heard the Word of God, believed it, and were baptized into Christ (Acts 2:36-41). This is what the eunuch did. After hearing Christ preached, he believed, indicated by his desire to be baptized, and then he was baptized (Acts 8:38). Why did the eunuch want to be baptized so badly? It was because Philip told him the same thing that Peter told the people on the day of Pentecost, that is, that bap-tism is for the forgiveness of sins.

This is God’s plan of salvation. It was set forth by Jesus Himself in Mark 16:16. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” This is what we find in every detailed example of conversion in the book of Acts (Acts 2:36-41; Acts 8:5-13; Acts 9:1-18 w/ 22:1-16; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 16:11-15, 25-33; Acts 18:1-8).

God’s plan will never change. Everyone who is saved from Satan and sin are saved the same way. One must believe in Jesus and be baptized. If you have done that, thank God every day. If you have not obeyed the gospel the proper way, why are you waiting?

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.