Follow Spirit's Leading: Acts 8:26

There’s a couple of applications I got from studying this verse and its context. The verse says, “But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, ‘Arise and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza (this is a deserted road)’”

I usually ask the question, “What does this verse/passage indicate I should do in my world?” We have to be careful to not take the (true) stories of the Bible’s history books, but sometimes there’s an example to follow. In this case this story is another example of the Holy Spirit directing Philip to further ministry. Philip was probably content, even excited, to be part of the Christian experience and explosion in Samaria. Things were happening there. It was an exciting place to be and there were lots of people becoming Christ-followers. Who wouldn’t want to be in on that excitement and celebration!

However, Philip was still open to the Spirit’s leading. And the Spirit (called in this passage “the angel of the Lord”) told Philip to leave the party, leave the ministry in Samaria to someone else, and go somewhere else. That somewhere else probably didn’t make a lot of sense to Philip. The Spirit told Philip to go to a deserted road where there were few, if any, people hanging around. But Philip did what he was led/told to do.

The application for me is three-fold. First, am I listening for the Spirit of the Lord? Sometimes when I’m reading the Word of God I will be pricked to do something. It’s not often but I think it probably happens more than I think and I’m just not listening. I need to pray before reading, during reading, and after reading for God’s guidance in my life.

Second, am I willing to do what the Holy Spirit tells me to do? Philip left immediately for the Gaza road. I need to be as obedient as that . . . taking action immediately. I’m not talking about leaving to go on a mission around the world (or even across the state). I’m talking about doing the things God has told us to do in His Word. I can’t just read about proper thinking and meditating (Philippians 4:8 – whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, good repute, excellence . . . let your mind dwell on these things), I have to train myself to turn my thoughts to those kinds of things instead of all the negative thoughts I, naturally in my sinful nature, tend to think about. There are many other things that are clearly the will of God as explained in Scripture that I need to be doing something about.

Third, am I willing to do what the Holy Spirit tells me to do even if it doesn’t seem to make sense to me? Philip was told to go to a deserted road. Presumably there would be no people there and Philip would be all alone. What I need to remember is that God has a purpose for us doing, thinking, going to the things and places He directs us. When Philip got to the desert road, there was a God-fearing man from Ethiopia who needed to hear the whole truth about Jesus. God may be sending us out to reach one person or a multitude. Our job is to take the next step in obeying Him, be all-in, and wait expectantly for God’s purpose to show up.

Acts 8:13-24: God Judges Sincerity

It’s not my place to judge the sincerity of another’s confession of faith. I can ask God for discernment so I know how to share with someone who may be seeking God, but it’s not my job to “make” them believe.

We have an example of this in Acts 8 when Luke records a situation involving a magician named Simon who was astonishing the people of Samaria with his tricks. He saw Philip preaching and many of the Samaritans were believing in Philip’s message about the Christ. Then Simon saw the apostles arriving from Jerusalem and laying hands on the new believers and the new believers received the gift of the Spirit. Simon wanted the power to do that, too and thought he could buy it from Peter and John. Scripture says in verse 13, “And even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip . . .” So it appears to us that Simon was a believer.

However, later we find out that Simon is still thinking in terms of money. Verses 18 - 19 says, “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’” Again it’s not clear as to Simon’s motives or to what extent Simon believed. That belief was to be determined by the Holy Spirit (through the apostles) and not by Philip. Philip’s job was to preach the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.

Fortunately, there is one that is not fooled and can determine who are true believers and have received salvation. 2 Timothy 2:19 tells us, “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, ‘The Lord knows those who are His . . .’” That’s a relief to me. I don’t have to worry about whether or not someone truly believes. I can focus, as Philip did, on the preaching of God’s Word, especially the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit knows who is sincere and who is not.