The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1907-10-25
Church of Christ
CONVERSION OF THE EUNUcH.
v. E. Hoven, Minister.
Acts S:26-28.


Acts 8:26-28.
We have in these days two classes Of
examples of conversions, and we are to
choose which gof these shall guide us.
One class is written down in the book
of Acts, the other is recited by mod
ern evangelists about modern couver-
sions. The account of the one is in
spired, that of the other not. We now
propose to study the inspired account
of case of conversion as recorded by
Luke in the book of Acts.
I. The Eunuch's condition before
conversion.
1. He was treasurer of Queen Can
dace. and very likely proselyte to
the Jewish faith. He had worked up
to the chief treasurer of the Ethiopian
kingdom. so he was trusted man.
2. He was good moral man, yet
unsaved. He had been to Jerusalem
to worship--a journey of more than
thousand miles-and was returning
home when Philip, the evangelist,
found him.
8. He was reading the Bible. In
this he differed from most of people,
even our so called church members.
They will rather read newspapers and
paper covered books. When a man
wants to become Christian and stay
a Christian. it is always good symp-
tom to see him read and study the
Bible.
4. He was ignorant of the Gospel
plan of salvation. He was reading
from Isaiah 53rd chapter and did not
understand it-"Of whom speaketh
the prophet this? of himself, or Of
some other?" Having lived SO far
from Jerusalem. he had not learned of
the Christ who had come and had al
ready fulfilled this prophecy in person.
hence could not understand this pass
age.
II. How he was converted.
1. The work of the angel. V. 26.
The angel came to Sanaria and told
the preacher where to go; that was
all he did; never said what he wanted
done. This shows us that man has a
part in the salvation of mau.
2. The work of the Holy Spirit, v.
80. He does not go to work in the
heart of the sinner. He does not say a
word to him, but speaks to Philip,
saying: "Go near, and join thyself to
this chariot" That was all. The
angel showed the preacher which way
to take; the Holy Spirit told him what
person he should speak to. If the
actions of the angel and the Holy
Spirit are to have any effect upon the
sinner. it will be through the words
of the preacher.
3. The greeting, w. 30, 81. "Un
derstandest thou what thou readest
This amounted to the same as oul
SLOW do you do" and gave him {
chance to approach the Euuuch a
once on what he must do to Ee saved
for he responded "How can I exoep
some one guide me?"
4. Philip preached unto him
Jesus" v. 35. The results of preaching
Jesus, in this case, were the following
First, "they both went down into the
water" water was not brought; sec.
ond, che baptized him." and he die
not take the Eunuch into the church
by this ceremony but it was unto sal
walton; third, the Eunuoh "went on
his way rejoicing" He has now had
religious experience by obeyiug the
Savior. and he feels happy. He feels
happy because he knows he is Chris
tian, not because he feels he is q
Christian; he has Gods Word fol-
every step he has taken. 1t is mutt
lated Gospel that leaves out baptism
in sermon to sinners. Baptism il
mentioned early in the Story of Jesus
for He was baptized by John in Jordan
and at the end of the Story, for III
commanded His Disciples, "Go ye in
to all the world and preach the gospel
to the whole creation. He that be
lieveth and is baptized shall be saved. ;
Nix. 1915, 16.
L