Spirit-led Evangelism

Recently, I was asked by an international student, whom I was discipling, if I would baptize him and proclaim the Gospel to his gathered family at this special event. I was honored to do so and I praise God for the opportunity. I asked God to lead me to what Bible passage I should highlight and He led me to the following encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian.

Acts 8:26-39 ESV Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. ²⁷ And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship ²⁸ and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹ And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” ³⁰ So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” ³¹ And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
³² Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. ³³ In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” ³⁴ And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” ³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. ³⁶ And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” ³⁸ And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. ³⁹ And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

This Philip was likely the same man named in Acts 6 as one of a few whom the Apostles set apart, ordained, to assist them in ministry at that time. They were looking for men of good reputation and full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (see Acts 6:3). Philip was one of these men.

Earlier in Acts 8, we read that Philip was ministering in Samaria to crowds; proclaiming the Gospel and healing people (by the power and name of Jesus Christ).

Then the Angel of the Lord spiritually called Philip to go to a certain deserted pathway. He was not called to a mega-church or stadium crusade. In this instance, Philip was called away from a crowded ministry setting to what probably seemed like the middle of nowhere. But there were some people there. This was a divine appointment.

Philip came near an Ethiopian man whom the Holy Spirit told Philip to approach. In fact, Philip ran to him, probably because the chariot was moving. This man was very important in his Queen’s courts. He also had some level of belief in the Lord God almighty because he had just come from worshiping Him in Jerusalem. On the road, he was reading aloud a Bible scripture by the prophet Isaiah. Philip politely asked if he understood what he was reading, but the man said he needed guidance to understand this passage (as do all when it comes to our salvation and discipleship; Rom. 10:14-17). The man was reading verses from Is. chp53, a passage that points to the coming Messiah, the Savior, we all need.

Here are a couple verses from Isa. 53; 5-6 ESV But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Just recently in the days of Philip and this Ethiopian, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, fulfilled these prophetic statements written hundreds of years earlier by Isaiah and Philip knew this. Then Philip opened his mouth and told this Ethiopian man the great news, Gospel, of Jesus Christ beginning with Isa. 53.  And since the Ethiopian soon afterwards wanted to stop to be baptized in water, I read between the lines that moments before his baptism he accepted Jesus Christ into his life as Savior and Lord.

Here are four take-aways from this passage I want to highlight:

1) The Importance of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism.

The Holy Spirit knew there was an Ethiopian in seeker mode for salvation (because God drew/pointed him in this direction) and the Holy Spirit knew he had an empowered Spirit-filled Christ-follower, Philip, who “could” go share the Gospel with this Ethiopian.

The Spirit (Holy Spirit) somehow impressed upon Philip to go up to the Ethiopian’s chariot. And after the baptism the Spirit carried Philip away. God directed Philip to the right person at the right time. The Holy Spirit was at work before, during, and after this Gospel encounter between these two men. The Holy Spirit is an essential component to evangelism. We shouldn’t be trying to do evangelism by way of our flesh; what we think we can do in our own efforts.

The Holy Spirit will impress upon a Christ-follower through different means (i.e. thoughts, burdens, convictions, Scripture, people) and we need to ask God to fill us with the Spirit and help us discern His voice and take the next steps.  Being “full of the Holy Spirit” (see Eph. 5:18) means one is “led by” the Holy Spirit (also “walk by”, “live by”; Gal. 5:16-25) and discerning of His leading in your life.

The most effective evangelism will be Spirit-led evangelism. God is at work all around us and He expects His people to be Spirit-led.

2) The Importance of Faithful Obedience to God.

I believe God’s primary evangelism vehicle comes through a human instrument, especially a Christ-follower who is faithful in sharing the Gospel. When I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord at age 9 it followed many Gospel presentations I had heard from my church Sunday School teachers and Children’s Church leaders and my own mother.

God is not forcing His people to share the Gospel but He has called us to do so and He desires to equip and empower us for this important ministry. Are we willing and faithful, though? Philip was. You may not be uniquely gifted as a professional or large scale evangelist but all Christ-followers are called to be Christ’s witnesses to proclaim the Gospel.

Philip accepted this witnessing commission from Christ. In Acts 8, we notice Philip was faithful and obedient to the leading of God in his life. This is spiritual success in one’s life. God is the One who spiritually draws people unto Himself as their needed Savior. God does the actual saving/salvation. Philip did not save anyone from their sins. God is the One who did great evangelism ministry through Philip who was willing, available, and faithful to serve God in sharing the Gospel with people.

Praise God, Philip was not the common mute Christian witness that is so prevalent today nor was he a vague witness nor an overly aggressive witness. Following God’s prompting, he politely began a conversation with this stranger in a friendly way right where the man was spiritually at that moment (actually reading a Messianic Bible passage).

I remember once in seminary when I was walking from my basement apartment to my car and I chatted with a contractor doing some work on the neighbor’s house. He told me he was very down because of a murder suicide his high school friend was recently part of. The Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart to point this man to the living hope that exists in the resurrected Christ but instead I kept things brief and general with that guy and did not mention what was really eternally significant and needed in that moment. Afterwards, I regretted that missed opportunity for ministry and my lack of obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Praise God though, there have been other times when I sensed the Holy Spirit leading me to go talk to someone and transition the conversation to the person and works of Jesus Christ and I did that. How about you?

3) The Importance of God’s Word in Evangelism.

The Word of God is our major source of Gospel revelation from God to us. Acts 8:35 (ESV Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.) summarizes a key reason why the Holy Bible was written.

Romans 10:17 ESV So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God, especially the truth of the Gospel, to illuminate essential truth and draw people unto the Lord.

Let’s not major on extra-biblical illustrations and personal stories. These have their uses in evangelism but let’s be sure to major on using relevant Holy Scripture to communicate needed divine truth.

Do you and I have a good summary understanding of the Gospel according to God’s Word? Can you and I share the Gospel on a moment’s notice? I believe we should be able to do this and we should practice this and engage in this. If you had the opportunity today to talk with someone several minutes about the Gospel of Christ, which Bible verses might you highlight? Would any be from the Old Testament?

Let’s stay saturated in the Gospel of Christ; in our learning, in our remembering the truth we have learned, in our spiritual growth, in our proclamation of it.

4) The Importance of Cross-cultural Evangelism.

Philip was a Greek name and he was likely a Hellenist; a Jewish Christian who spoke Greek. His roots were possibly Palestinian. The Ethiopian was from another culture and land, Africa, and he was likely a dark skinned man. The point is, Philip did not just speak the Gospel to Jews or even Greeks. He spoke the Gospel to an African man (and to mixed-race Samaritans; earlier in Acts 8).

The Gospel is for people of all nations and tribes and Christ-followers are called to proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation (Mk. 16:15, Mt. 28:19). God created me Caucasian and I was born in Florida and my recent ancestors are Caucasian and were born in the US. This Gospel of Jesus Christ is not a US thing though, or a Caucasian thing, or just for or primarily for Caucasians and people who live in the US. This Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest news in all of creation and intended to bless everyone. It is a cross-cultural Gospel. The eternal Son of God became flesh. God came to us, the Jews first, then to non-Jews.

I’ve been outside the US to share the Gospel with people from another land and I’ve been down the street to share the Gospel with people from another culture or the same culture. Recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to a room of people who were from multiple continents and cultures and I spoke of this Acts 8 passage. In your circle of influence, are there people from other cultures (or you culture) you can speak to about Christ? Are we praying for such opportunities? Are we engaging in such ministry for the glory of God?

There are many people who would consider themselves religious and may even worship Jehovah/Yahweh but do they know Jesus Christ as Savior and the Lord of their lives by God’s grace through faith in Christ? And do you?

What are your thoughts about this encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian recorded in Acts 8 and what I’ve written here?

Mike

Six Baptisms; #2 Baptism by Holy Spirit (& into Christ)

This blog entry is the continuation in a series called ‘Six Baptisms.’ The first entry ‘#1 Baptism by Fire,’ which includes an introduction to this series, can be read at http://mikesmorals.blogspot.com/2014/03/six-baptisms-1-baptism-by-fire.html

As I wrote previously, the Greek word “baptizo” in the New Testament of God’s Word means to immerse, submerge, and/or cleanse.

It is by God’s special grace through faith in Christ through which a person receives Christ as Savior, receives the Holy Spirit, receives imputed righteousness from Christ, and receives the fruit of the Spirit among other divine blessings. We, unholy sinners, can enter into a current and eternal relationship with God by His grace through faith in Christ. This is amazing and this spiritual process of salvation in Christ involves a spiritual baptism sometimes referred to in Scripture as ‘baptism of the Holy Spirit, ‘baptism into Christ,’ or ‘baptism into one Body.’

I believe these biblical phrases refer to the same spiritual act of God in the life of a Christian today. This spiritual immersion and cleansing involves a spiritual union with and identification with the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ and His universal Body of believers.

Let’s consider some Bible verses that refer to this spiritual baptism.

Matthew 3:11 ESV “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John 1:33 ESV I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’

John the Baptist taught here that Jesus Christ baptizes with the Holy Spirit which is different than the baptism John the Baptist was providing people before the public ministry of Jesus Christ. I’ll write more about water baptism and what John was doing in a later entry.

Galatians 3:26-27 ESV for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

This phrase ‘baptized into Christ’ refers to a spiritual immersion into Christ.

Romans 6:1-11 ESV ¹ What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ² By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ³ Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ⁶ We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. ⁷ For one who has died has been set free from sin. ⁸ Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. ⁹ We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. ¹⁰ For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. ¹¹ So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

To be baptized into Christ, to be a born-again saved Christ-follower, means to die to your sins (vs3) and to live a new life through the resurrection of Christ (1 Pet. 3:21).

What does this look like for a Christian? Consider Paul’s testimony: Galatians 2:20 ESV I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 6:17 ESV But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Christians are spiritually placed into Christ, in union with Him, and they have the Holy Spirit within them, and so we should live accordingly.

In 1 Cor. 12, Paul was dealing with a situation where the Corinthian church was splitting into factions over the issue of spiritual gifts. Overemphasis on certain spectacular gifts had led to the attitude that some people had the most desirable gifts, while others were deficient. In response, Paul wrote, "We're all one (in Christ)! Don't divide up into cliques!" And to prove his point, he wrote this to the Corinthian Christians, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 ESV For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

What’s his main point here? All true Christ-followers share the reality of being baptized into Christ by way of the Holy Spirit. The phrase ‘into one body’ here refers to the Body of Christ, not meaning His physical body, but referring instead to His spiritual body which includes the universal Church of true Christ-followers in which He is the head.

Titus 3:4-7 ESV ⁴ But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵ he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

I believe this passage refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit through Christ.

When does this spiritual baptism occur? In modern day Christianity, I believe that the ‘baptism of the Holy Spirit’ and ‘baptism into Christ’ (& into one Body) occur simultaneously at the salvation conversion moment in a Christ-follower’s life. There is a spiritual justification conversion moment in God’s plan of salvation for people today. This is the moment when the person called by God begins trusting Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. It is God who declares the person is saved, and that they now have a position in His heaven, and he or she is reconciled with Him. I believe it is at this salvation moment that the person is sealed by and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, baptized by the Holy Spirit, and baptized into Christ and into one Body. Consider, in addition to the above verses:

Ephesians 1:13 ESV ¹³ In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Romans 8:9 ESV ⁹ You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

So, for personal example, when I was nine years old I received Christ into my life as my Savior and Lord. In that spiritual salvation conversion moment I was baptized by the Holy Spirit and baptized into Christ (& into one Body).

There are moments in early Christianity when some individuals received the baptism of the Holy Spirit after a salvation conversion moment; such as at Pentecost to the original Apostles (Acts 2) and to some Samaritan believers in Acts 8:14-17. I believe this was just part of the transition period from the incarnated days of Jesus Christ, to the beginning of the Christian church, and to the spread of Christianity to Jews, to Samaria and to the ends of the earth. By the time we get to Acts 10, I think we have the model for today; personal impact of the Gospel, trusting belief, and receive the Holy Spirit.

These days, I believe the ‘baptism of the Holy Spirit’/’baptism into Christ’ is a one-time spiritual act by God at the salvation conversion moment that spiritually identifies a person with God. There doesn’t have to be miraculous signs and wonders or dramatic recoveries from addictions or other major things occur at that moment, although salvation itself is miraculous and a big life-transforming deal! Praise God! If you are a true Christ-follower already you don’t need to seek a baptism of the Holy Spirit. It already took place.

Each genuine Christ-follower has the Holy Spirit in their life as God’s gracious gift; however, they are exhorted to be filled with the Holy Spirit (aka ‘led by’, ‘walk by’ or ‘walk in’, and ‘live by the Holy Spirit’). This means the individual Christ follower must decide regularly to ask God to fill him or her with the Holy Spirit, to choose to regularly yield to/submit to the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 ESV And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Galatians 5:16-26 ESV But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

The above passage gives us a glimpse of what it looks like to be a Holy Spirit-filled Christ-follower in contrast with being characterized by the immoral works of the flesh. Which do you align more with?

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is part of ‘progressive sanctification’ in a Christ-follower’s life. This maturing spiritual sanctification in Christ varies for each believer in their lifetime. There can be many fillings of the Holy Spirit, all the while the Christ-follower continues to be indwelt by and sealed by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit-filled life is characteristic of the Christ-follower who acknowledges their ‘baptism of the Holy Spirit’/‘baptism into Christ’ and they live accordingly for the glory of God.

I hope and pray that you have been baptized by the Holy Spirit and into Christ and are living accordingly. What do you think about this subject in Scripture and what I’ve written about here?

The next entry in this series will be about ‘baptism by water.’ 

Mike