He Opened Up His Mouth.” Acts 8:35
Why was Philip on a road to Gaza when a chariot appeared carrying a court official of Ethiopia? Philip after all, had been chosen with six other men to serve as a deacon to the believers in Jerusalem. Their responsibility was to people who needed care, widows whose needs were being overlooked. Yet, here he was and the Spirit said, “Go over and join this chariot.” Philip goes to the chariot and hears the Ethiopian reading from Isaiah.
Why was the Ethiopian reading from a scroll of the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah? What prompted him to do that? Had he heard in Jerusalem that Jesus was the promised Savior and was that why he was reading Scripture?
Philip asked the Ethiopian if he understood what he was reading. The court official replied, “How can I unless someone guides me?” Inviting Philip to come and sit by him, the Ethiopian asked, “Whom is Isaiah talking about?” Then Philip …”Opened his mouth” and beginning with the Scripture from Isaiah told him the good news about Jesus.
Question: Why were seven men selected by the early Jerusalem church to serve as deacons?
Answer: The Seven, often known as the Seven Deacons, were leaders elected by the Early Christian church to address a concern raised by Greek-speaking believers about their widows being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. They were elected to minister to the care of believers in Jerusalem, enabling the Apostles to concentrate on ‘prayer and the Ministry of the Word’.
