the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Grace for Today
Acts 8:30
‘Understandest thou what thou readest?’
Read Acts 8:26-39
It is good to read the Bible regularly, learn the facts of Bible history, memorize as much of the Bible as you can and study the blessed doctrines of the Bible. But it is quite possible to do all of these things and yet gain no spiritual benefit from the Word of God. The Word of God will be of benefit to our souls only to the degree that we understand it. Such understanding in the Scriptures is, and can only be gained, by the gracious instruction of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:11-16).
A man has understanding in the Scriptures to the degree that he sees Christ in everything and sees everything in Christ. Philip gave the eunuch understanding in the Scriptures when he ‘preached unto him Jesus’. He preached Christ, nothing but Christ, and that gave the eunuch understanding. In the Word of God, Christ alone is pre-eminent. The Bible is a book about the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the whole counsel of God, and the whole counsel of God is Christ (Acts 20:26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 9:16).
I have understanding in the Scriptures to the degree that my understanding creates in me a humble, submissive, obedient, faith in Christ. This eunuch showed his understanding in the Word by his willing surrender to believer’s baptism, the ordinance of Christ.
We have understanding in the Word of God to the degree that our understanding causes us to rejoice in Christ. Once this man understood the Scriptures, ‘He went on his way rejoicing.’ Spurgeon said, ‘The faith of the Scriptures leads joy by the hand, and chases away despair.'
I have understanding in the Scriptures to the degree that my understanding causes me to seek the salvation of others. This eunuch carried the gospel with him back to Africa. Once a man learns the gospel, he has got to tell it to others.
And I have understanding in the Scriptures to the degree that I have a message for all people at all times. I have a message of salvation, life, comfort, peace and joy to all people, in every circumstance of life. My message to you is the message I have received - Christ crucified.
