After prayers, what?
What do we do after the church service? Pull out our phones to check the messages? Heave a sigh of relief that the church is over for the week? Stand around and gossip? Many think that once the weekly service is over, we have done our duty to Elohim for the week and we can now think of our worldly matters. Act 8:27-28,’And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.’ We read here an account in the book of Acts how the Holy Spirit sent the evangelist Philip into the Gaza desert to meet the Ethiopian eunuch.
The Ethiopian was an official under Queen Candace, probably her finance minister. He was returning from Jerusalem after worshipping there in the temple. It is supposed that the queen of Sheba, (who was probably named Balkis or Maqueda,) who visited King Solomon (I Ki.10:1) was instructed in the Jewish religion and established it in her own kingdom. Many became Jews on account of this and so the Ethiopian eunuch was probably a descendent of those proselytes. He had come to Jerusalem to worship during the feast days and was returning home to his country.
He was reading from the book of Isaiah, which was probably what was read in the temple. This is the example we should follow. After returning from church, meditate on what we have just heard. The Bereans (Acts.17.11) heard the words of Paul and ‘searched the scriptures’ to see if Paul was speaking the truth. The eunuch did not waste his time in idle speculation or talk about trivial matters. He read the scriptures. We should not waste our time in reading the newspapers, watching TV or in gossip. We too should read the scripture portion and meditate on the word of Elohim. The eunuch meditated on the word and he set an example to the people around him.
Take time to be holy. Immediately after returning from church or prayers do not fall into the world. Practice the presence of Elohim. After returning from prayers, keep your thoughts clean or pure. 1Chr 29:18 says,’ O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:’
When Philip asked the eunuch whether he understood what he was reading, he replied that he did not. When we do not understand the word, don not hesitate to ask for a clearer understanding. It is not demeaning ourselves. We don’t lose any prestige by showing our ignorance. We should not be ashamed at this. When we don’t understand, don’t skip the chapter and go to another chapter. Meditate on what you have read.
The eunuch asked Philip to come into his chariot. He did not invite him to see his luxurious chariot. No. He wanted Philip to see his ignorance. He wanted Philip to instruct him in the word of Elohim.
Psa 32:8. ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.’ John. 14:26,’ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.’ When we don’t understand, ask the Father and he will give us the Holy Spirit to teach us.
Philip took the same scripture and started to preach Yahshua Messiah. The eunuch did not know that the reference was to Messiah. The work of an evangelist or preacher or pastor is to preach Messiah. Nothing else. Unfortunately most of today’s preachers don’t preach Messiah. They will preach about every other subject which makes you “feel good”. Sin, repentance, salvation are subjects which are not heard from the pulpit these days. Most of their preaching is shallow and without sound doctrine. Mal 2:7 says,’ For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts’. It is for this reason that many youngsters leave the church because their faith has no firm foundation.
When Philip preached Messiah to the eunuch, he wanted to be baptized immediately. Philip did not ask how the eunuch became a Jew, he did not ask if he was circumcised, he did not ask any questions. All that Philip wanted was to know if he believed that Yahshua was the Messiah. When someone has heard of Messiah and is convicted of his sin and is convinced that salvation is only in the name of Messiah, his baptism should not be delayed. Philip was taken away by the Spirit and the eunuch went on his way rejoicing, the first convert in the African continent.
Friends, how is your behavior after attending a church service or prayers? Are you immersing yourself into the world or do you take time to meditate on what you have heard? Be like the Bereans, meditate on what you have heard and you will start the week with the word of Elohim in your heart.
