Many people go to church and many try to get others to go with them. But Jesus said, if you follow me I will make you fishers of men. There are certain lessons we can learn from fishermen. Phillip's witnessing to the Eunuch in Gaza is an great model.Lessons in Evangelism
05/03/2005
One of the lessons I learned from Elbert Willis was how to be a personal evangelist. Jesus commanded us to go and be his witnesses. When he helps us and heals us he wants us to be his witnesses about it. In the account of Phillip witnessing to the Eunuch we find several lessons of evangelism that we can learn from.

Acts 8:26-40
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. 27 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, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 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: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

The King James Version

1. It was a divine commission
2. He fully obeyed it
3. He answered the unbeliever’s question
4. He identified the true subject
5. He presented the conditions to be saved

You may feel inadequate or ignorant, but if you are willing, the Holy Spirit will teach you and equip you to become a personal evangelist. Make a decision today.

1. It was a divine commission
The angel of the Lord told him, but Actsw 1:8 commissions us
2. He fully obeyed
He did not know who he was going to witness to. A fisherman does not know which fish he is going to catch. He just goes out fishing. He finds a spot to fish. He puts some bait on the hook and waits. God puts us on a spot where souls are and gives us opportunity. We have to put on the bait and cast the line. When people fear the future, complain about the state of the world or ask questions about God after the terrible Tsunami wave that destroyed 250 000 people; they are nibbling at the bait. They need to know about the new way of living Jesus pioneered for all of us: to walk with God, day by day.
3. Many have questions that only believers can answer
Where was God when the Tsunami struck? A man once lost his only son in a car accident. He cried out: where was God when my only son died? Someone answered: exactly where he was when His only son died on the cross – innocently for the sins of the world. The Eunuch had questions only Phillip could answer: how can I understand unless someone explains it to me? The devil keeps people ignorant and in darkness concerning the Gospel. He offers them counterfeits: astrology, witchcraft, Satanism, secret organizations, false cults and dead religions: but we serve a living God! We can tell them what Jesus has done for them.
4. He identified the true subject
He started from the scripture verse the Eunuch was reading and preached Jesus to him. He is the true bread of life, the light of the world, the shepherd of the sheep, the son of God, the saviour, the healer, the baptiser in the Holy Spirit. At first people hate to hear it from you because Satan is fighting the truth you are brining. He does not want to let go of his prey; but the Holy Ghost in you will give you boldness to be his witness. He will remind you of scripture verses to use. The power lies in the word of God. It has changed your life and it will change the lives of those who hear you. The word of God changes the way you speak, it changes the way you live because it changes your sinful nature and makes you a saint. It will even change your marriage and your business. It changes your future: from eternal damnation in hell to eternal bliss in heaven!

Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The King James Version

5. Phillip knew how to present the Gospel conditions.
If you believe with all your heart you may be baptised! Believe, be baptised and be spirit filled. God confirms his word with signs and wonders following. He was caught away from that place and found himself in Azotus!

Romans 10:9-13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
The King James Version

Conclusion: People are fearful and frustrated, confused and bound for hell and don’t know it. God wants you and me to throw them a life jacket before they go over the cliff! Grace is available, love abounds and faith is given as a gift: all they are waiting for is someone to have compassion on them!