When the Lord commissions us, we must go. Acts 8:26-29, “An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: ‘Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is the desert road.) So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go and join that chariot.’

We have no choice in the matter, and we must not obey men. Paul didn’t wait when he was called, and Philip sought permission from no one else [Gal 1:16-17]. The saints were being scattered, and they didn’t have to report to Jerusalem for instructions [Acts 8:4]. We believe one gospel and have one Spirit. Men may approve of our commission, and they may not, but the Holy Spirit evidences that we’ve been called by God with good works following.

Philip was called to a deserted place, and he obeyed. Then, he received further instructions, and it is the same with us. We are called to take a step, no matter how irrational to our thinking, but then we’re given clarity as we proceed. Do not deny this calling of grace. We’ve all been called to make disciples: Give your life to it.

Secondly, we need help to understand the Scriptures. Acts 8:30-31, “When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, ‘Do you understand what you’re reading?’ ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone guides me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” This is why Christ commissions us! Evangelism is not merely passing out Bibles; it is giving biblical understanding. I’d rather give a person a Charles Spurgeon sermon, so they can see the message of Christ’s grace than to give them a Bible with no instruction: They won’t find Christ on their own. Somebody needs to help us, and after seeing Christ, then we can find Him on our own. The evangelist's job is to make Christ known, but every believer tells others what they’ve seen and heard, so eyes can be opened.

Take this responsibility seriously. You play a vital part in helping others see Christ. Supporting missionaries and expanding knowledge is great work.

Thirdly, it doesn’t matter where the Ethiopian was reading, Christ is the message of Scripture. Acts 8:34-35, “The eunuch replied to Philip, ‘I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or another person?’ So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture.” This is the difference between true Christianity and every other religion: true Christianity is all about Christ! We see Him in the Scriptures, and we follow Him. Moses said a greater Prophet was coming, and by Jesus we understand everything [Acts 3:22-24]. All sermons are preaching Christ, because all Scripture leads to Him [Luke 24:27]. Ours is not a moral religion of duties and rules. Ours is a gospel of godliness by a Person being made known who’s alive from the dead. Ours is Christ being formed in us by Christ being preached to us.

Judge your teacher by this: Is Jesus Christ and Him crucified set before you constantly in the Scripture? Is there power to obey?

Fourthly, a confession is needed for baptism. Acts 8:36-37, As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water! What would keep me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Do you believe that He successfully made atonement, and God raised Him? Are you trusting Him entirely for salvation - from acceptance to a holy life to heaven to come? Are you relying upon Him to guide your life and rule you? Is Christ all?

These things and more are the essence of what it means to believe on Christ; it is to acknowledge Him for who He is and pay Him proper respect; it is to call Him the Son of God and treat Him like it [John 9:35-38].

Finally, we don’t need the evangelist after we’ve heard the gospel. Acts 8:39, “When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer. But he went on his way rejoicing.”

I made the mistake of looking to man after hearing Christ, but never again. The evangelist went his way, but the Ethiopian kept on rejoicing! He’d seen the message, and he was saved. Now, he can see Christ for himself, and Christ will stick with him: He’ll be gracious, even without the evangelist. He’ll not only guide the Ethiopian, but He’ll use him to transform a nation.