About Us Quarterly Magazine Meditation: Breakthrough for Africa
Meditation: Breakthrough for Africa Print E-mail
Tuesday, 13 December 2011 19:31

By Dr. A. J. deVisser as referenced in Fall 2011

Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God. (Psalm 68:31b)

A unique passage in the book of Acts is the report about the conversion of the man from Africa (Acts 8:26-40). He was an important official in his country. He was the minister of finance, serving under Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. Although the man had a powerful position in his home country, he was also a bit of a tragic figure: he was a eunuch, which meant that he was unable to marry and have children. More importantly, however, this man was a worshiper of God. He had come to Jerusalem to worship the God of the Jews (Acts 8:27).
It is impressive to read how the Lord arranged for this man to hear the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. An angel of the Lord told the evangelist Philip to go south to the road between Jerusalem and Gaza (Acts 8:26). When the Ethiopian man passed through in his chariot, the Holy Spirit told Philip to approach him. The Lord had already set things up for the meeting by having the man read a passage from Isaiah 53, a passage which he did not understand. The Lord’s purpose was that this official would enter his Kingdom and that through him the gospel would get a breakthrough in the kingdom of Cush (which is Ethiopia and present day Sudan). By doing this, the Lord fulfilled his promise that “Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God” (Psalm 68:31b).
If we reflect on this remarkable event, we are impressed with at least two things: first, that the Lord is faithful to his promises to the Gentiles; second, that the Lord can use so-called “chance encounters” to work out his plan of redemption. Perhaps there is even a third lesson – that one person can be used as a key person for the conversion of a whole tribe or nation.
There is more to be learned from this event. When the African man was unable to understand the meaning of Isaiah 53, the passage about the servant of the Lord who was led like a sheep to the slaughter, the Lord provided someone who was able to explain the meaning. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked the man. And he admitted, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” In what follows, we see a prime example of an evangelistic conversation: the two men read Isaiah’s prophecy, and Philip “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.” (Acts 8:35).
If we reflect on this, there are again important lessons to be learned. First, we know for sure that Isaiah 53 indeed speaks about the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ. Second, if we are looking for a good approach to do evangelism, we will do well to follow Philip’s example: use the Scriptures, show how the Scriptures talk about Jesus, and show how this is good news for the person whom you are talking to.
The story ends with the Ethiopian eunuch being baptized and going home rejoicing in his new-found salvation. With this event in his life, another prophecy was being fulfilled, the prophecy of foreigners and eunuchs being accepted and included among God’s people (Isaiah 56:3-8).  It is a wonderful story indeed.
Today, as we hear reports about the amazing growth of the church in Africa, let us remember the prophecy of Psalm 68: “Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.” The Lord started it with the meeting between Philip and the man from Ethiopia. The Lord is still working on the completion of the prophecy today. Indeed, God lets none of his words fall to the ground.
Dr. A. J. de Visser is Professor of Ecclesiology and Diaconiology at Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Ontario. Professor de Visser has worked as a missionary in Soshanguve, close to Pretoria (South Africa) from 1989 to 2004. He also worked as a part-time lecturer at Mukhanyo Theological College in KwaNdebele, South Africa from 1997 to 2004.

 
 
Website by Pronk Graphics