A “Conversion Conversation”

Yesterday we read in Acts 8:26-35 how Philip came upon a man who was reading from the prophet Isaiah.  This man was reading the part of Isaiah which we know as chapter 53, a part which talks about Jesus as the lamb of God who was sacrificed for our sin.  Let’s read that part again today: ”  30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”  31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this:  “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.  33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth.”  34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

Philip was able to take the man from where he was reading and explain Jesus to him.  Philip understood the scripture enough to know how to show the man that what he was reading was really about Jesus.  And of course, Philip had the new information about Jesus’ death and resurrection to share with the man.  When Philip explained Jesus to the man the man received Jesus and they had a baptism service right there.   I think the question for all of us is this:  “Could we have done what Philip did?”  Are we familiar enough with the Bible so that we can have a “conversion conversation” with others that we come into contact with?  That’s a question that you probably know the answer to and if the answer is “no” and you are a follower of Jesus, that needs to change.  Familiarize yourself with some important passages from God’s word about salvation.  Be comfortable in telling your own story about what Jesus has done in your life.   It’s not important to memorize 100 verses but being prepared to have a “conversion conversation” with someone is very important.  If you need help, just ask me.  I can help.