Acts 8:32-38 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer… I. THE UNITY OF SCRIPTURE. And that "same Scripture," while so eminently illustrious, is only one of many innumerable scriptures at which Philip might have begun and by which he might have sustained his proclamation of the Jesus. Gather into your hands, as so many threads, all "the same scriptures" from which Philip might have pursued his theme, and delightedly gaze on the Pattern into which the New Testament fashions them. Can the charm of their unity be surpassed? II. THE END OF SCRIPTURE. To set forth Christ, to attract human thought and fix it on Him, is the steadfast aim to which everything is subordinated. Many are the "voices of the prophets," but they swell into only one chorus of which He is the song. III. In the intensity of the converse of Philip and the eunuch we see THE INTEREST OF SCRIPTURE commended. No fact grows more patent than the world's need of all that the Scriptures assure us of Jesus. There is no light from heaven if it does not shine in Him, no bread from heaven if He does not supply it. IV. In the issue of this converse we see THE POWER OF SCRIPTURE manifested. "He went on his way rejoicing." The fulness, variety, and harmony of Scripture; the compassion, wisdom, steadfastness of God through all the preparatory measures which led up to the advent of Jesus; the power, grace, and life brought by Him; rest of mind in this truth, and of heart in this mercy; the new creation into which the receiver of Jesus passes and rises — these were some of the glorious elements of this man's joy; and meditation, prayer, experience, would but deepen that joy, as he passed further and further away from the "old things," and further and further into the "new things" prepared and ensured for ever to them that love Him. (G. B. Johnson.) Parallel Verses KJV: The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: |
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