Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached Jesus to him. (Acts 8:35)

Preaching Jesus

The work of an evangelist is simple in form, basic in nature, and powerful in transmission. When Philip joined the man from Ethiopia in his chariot, he asked his student if he understood what he was reading. The man had been examining the book of Isaiah when Philip joined him. Seeking the help of any who would help him know further the mysteries of God, the Ethiopian implored Philip to join him and explain the meaning of the text.

There is an important bridge that Philip used to teach the lost sinner what he needed to do to be saved. He recognized the Ethiopian’s desire to know the truth from the word of God (the book of Isaiah). Philip saw an open heart (belief) to accept what was taught in scripture. The hope of Philip was to convict the heart (repentance) in obedience to the gospel of Christ unto salvation (baptism).

When Philip began to teach the Ethiopian, he did not discuss the modern views of religious opinions of the Jewish leadership or interpretations of the Law of Moses. He did not seek to soften the responsibilities of what the Ethiopian must do to be saved. The Ethiopian was a curious student of scripture who knew the importance of following the word of God with respect for the authority of scripture. Philip did not offer some plan of human wisdom to make it more palatable for a man from another country to accept. What Philip did was to preach Jesus. That is what the man needed. The story of Jesus is what must be told. There was no other avenue to take the man when teaching him the word of salvation.

There is little known about what Philip shared with the Ethiopian. Only three things are certain. First, Philip began where the man was in the book of Isaiah. He started with the word of God. Philip did not bring the books of men into the discussion. Beginning with the message of Isaiah, the evangelist opened the teachings of God to instruct the student. Second, he preached Jesus. Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming Messiah was fitting to begin telling the story of Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested by God by miracles, wonders, and signs. Philip would tell the eunuch that the man Jesus was raised by God to be both Lord and Christ (Messiah). There is nothing more to preach than Jesus.

The third certainty known of the teaching of Philip was baptism. As Philip was preaching Jesus, the student asked about baptism. The response by the Ethiopian is profound when he tells Philip, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” It is clearly demonstrated that beginning with the word of God and preaching Jesus, the heart of the honest man will see the need to wash away sins in the waters of baptism. The eunuch is the one who pointed out the necessity. After confessing his allegiance to Jesus Christ, both the eunuch and Philip went down into the water, and the eunuch was baptized.

Philip preached Jesus. It is hard to find many churches today where Jesus is preached. Unlike the disciples of the first century, most pulpits talk about social issues, political controversies, and messages soothing to the ears of the listeners. If Jesus were truly preached in most pulpits, the preachers would not be popular. Modern preachers will not preach about sin. How can you preach about Jesus and not preach about sin? The pulpits of today spout human philosophy instead of preaching the Bible. Most people can attend a church service and never open their Bibles for all the good stories and feel-good sermons they hear.

When men stop preaching Jesus, they build a house built on sand. Religion becomes a social club with elite members ignorant of the basics of God’s word. If Philip were alive today, he would be shocked at the depravity of those who claim to follow Jesus and are not even close to being on the same page. If a man will not preach Jesus, he is not preaching truth. Jesus must be the central figure in preaching the gospel because the gospel is empty without Him. The heart of the message of salvation is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Take Jesus out of preaching, and you will have a crossless message. Without preaching Jesus, the blood of Christ becomes water. Convincing the audience they can be saved without obedience to the word of God is a loveless dedication.

Preach Jesus.