Acts 7-8, Psalm 122
Acts 8:30-31 (NLT)
“Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ The man replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’ And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.”
In Acts 8:30–31, Philip, one of the seven men appointed to serve the Jerusalem church, encountered an Ethiopian court official who was returning from Jerusalem. After Stephen's death, Philip had gone to Samaria to preach. Later, the Holy Spirit told him to approach the chariot of the Ethiopian official. Philip heard the man reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah and asked whether he understood what he was reading. The man replied that he could not understand unless someone guided him. The Ethiopian court official then invited Philip to sit with him in the chariot.
What I liked about these verses is that they reminded me that I didn't really understand the Scriptures until I joined a Pentecostal, Holy Spirit-filled church. The pastors at my new church explained the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life and how to ask Him for guidance in my life. The pastors wanted to minister as the apostles did when the early church was being formed. My pastors teach about signs and wonders and pray for miraculous healings. I have witnessed what I believe were supernatural healings, including people whose hearing was restored. I've also heard testimonies of debts being mysteriously cleared overnight and of various health conditions being healed, sometimes accompanied by before-and-after medical images.
The preaching I received at this church made me feel like the Ethiopian court official in these verses. I felt like I didn't really understand the Bible until I heard my new pastors explain in depth what it meant to be in a covenant relationship with the Lord. Their preaching has made such a difference in my life and has inspired me to read the Bible daily so I can increase my understanding of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I feel the love of Father-God daily in my life in a way I never felt before, and I praise the Holy Spirit for leading me to a Holy Spirit-filled church.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One whom the Scriptures reveal—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord's love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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