What role does Scripture play in Philip's explanation of Jesus in Acts 8:35? Setting the Scene • Acts 8:30-33 records the Ethiopian official reading Isaiah 53:7-8 aloud in his chariot. • He asks, “About whom does the prophet say this?” (v. 34). • Verse 35: “Then Philip began with this very Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” Scripture as the Starting Point • Philip does not begin with personal testimony or philosophical argument; he “began with this very Scripture.” • The prophetic passage of Isaiah 53 becomes the launchpad for unveiling Christ’s identity and mission. • By rooting his explanation in the written Word, Philip demonstrates that Jesus is not a new or detached figure but the fulfillment of God’s longstanding revelation. Scripture as Authoritative Proof • Philip treats Isaiah’s prophecy as divinely inspired and therefore trustworthy. • The fulfilled details—silent suffering (Isaiah 53:7), unjust judgment (Isaiah 53:8), substitutionary death (Isaiah 53:5)—act as concrete evidence that Jesus is the promised Messiah. • Cross references: – Luke 24:27 “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself.” – John 5:39 “You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me.” Scripture as the Content of the Gospel • Philip “told him the good news about Jesus” directly from Scripture, not merely alongside it. • The gospel message—Christ’s sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection—flows naturally from Isaiah 53’s description of the Suffering Servant. • 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 affirms this pattern: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures… He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” Scripture as the Catalyst for Faith • Acts 8:36-38 shows immediate fruit: the Ethiopian believes and requests baptism. • Romans 10:17 “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” • 2 Timothy 3:15 underscores Scripture’s role in salvation: it is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Practical Takeaways • Begin gospel conversations with the Bible itself; let Scripture speak first. • Show how Old Testament prophecy points directly to Jesus. • Trust that the Holy Spirit uses Scripture to convict, illuminate, and bring about saving faith. |
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