Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Acts 7-8
Acts 8:35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
The book of Acts reads like an action novel. It is a story of the beginnings of the church age (which as of now has lasted more than two thousand years). The church age is of an indeterminate time period. It can last another two thousand years, or it could end before this devotion can be read. As long as this age lasts preachers will be preaching Jesus to those of inquisitive minds. There is no need for long explanations or in-depth studies of doctrines as given in this book, for they are relatively self-evident. It is a book about faith in action.
So, let’s look at a golden nugget. In today’s verse Philip is said to preach Jesus unto the Ethiopian eunuch. But before he preached the Scripture says, …Philip opened his mouth… He opened his mouth and then he preached. This seems redundant, but it’s not. Opening one’s mouth is an action that is predicated upon having a distinct purpose in mind. Up to this point the eunuch and Philip have had a short conversation but now it takes on the nature of something more. He opened his mouth with a purpose, to present Christ and win that man’s soul to the Lord.
In the New Testament there are five verses that include the term “opened his mouth.” This one is smack dab in the middle. It is number three. Think about them for a moment.
At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus “opened his mouth” and began teaching (Matthew 5:2).
Later in Matthew Jesus told Peter to go catch a fish. Upon catching the first fish Peter “opened his mouth” and found that piece of money to pay the tribute (17:24-27).
Philip “opened his mouth” and preached to the eunuch in Acts 8:35.
Later Peter “opened his mouth” and preached the Gospel to the Gentiles in Acts 10:34.
In Revelation, the beast “opened his mouth” and spoke blasphemy against God (Revelation 13:6).
The Lord, Philip, Peter and the beast all “opened their mouth” with a purpose. I’m still thinking about the significance of the fish.
When it is time to “open your mouth” and speak, what will be the purpose of the words spoken? Preaching Christ, uplifting others, or blasphemous words of judgment and condemnation? The words spoken transmit the purpose of the heart that caused the mouth to be opened in the first place.
Dr. William T. Howe
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