One of the hardest things in being a witness of the gospel is the opening remark to get a discussion started. Not a problem for Philip in Acts 8; he had an appointment set up by an angel.  He is told to go south to the road, then to jump on the running board of the chariot going by. Maybe to this point Philip was just being obedient, but as soon as he sees the Ethiopian eunuch in the chariot reading verses from Isaiah, the intent is clear. Philip asks the Ethiopian if he understands the passage, and the eunuch admits he needs guidance.  The eunuch asks who Isaiah is talking about.  Philip then has the opportunity to tell the “good news about Jesus.”  The Holy Spirit works in the man’s heart, he commits to Jesus, he sees water and asks to be baptized.

What do we learn about witnessing?  Be obedient. Look for context clues; try to find out what the “witnessee” is thinking about. You might not start with Isaiah but be ready to explain the gospel from many different starting points.  Expect the Holy Spirit to prepare the situation, give you words to say, and work in hearts.   And don’t neglect closing the deal – seek a commitment.

You may think Philip’s event is not possible anymore, but such things happen more than we expect. I recently talked to my friend Justin, back from several months in China.  He showed a picture of the man who ran up to and asked Justin if he could answer some questions about Jesus!

You also probably don’t need to think a lot about how to get OUT of a gospel conversation, but Philip certainly did have a unique exit method – the Spirit carried him away, and he found himself at Azotus, wherever that is. The eunuch did not mind – he went away rejoicing and presumably started churches in Ethiopia.  Philip was none the worse for the experience – he kept preaching the gospel in all the towns he went through.