Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
Acts 8:35
Philip did two things we can learn from. Philip knew that the Ethiopian did not need him. So Philip acted as a signpost, pointing the man to what he did need.
He pointed the man to Scripture. God never promised to empower our words. Our opinions and experience have no real authority. The Word of God is both powerful and authoritative! God’s Word is inspired (God-breathed, that is, His very words!). God’s Word is not the opinions of humans about God; it is God’s oracle for for humans. God’s Word, since it cannot err or change, is supremely authoritative. When speaking to people about the Lord, let us give them God’s Word, not merely ours.
He pointed the man to Jesus. “God So loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). “There is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus is not only God’s only begotten Son, Jesus is the one and only Savior. Inviting people to read the Bible, go to church, or turn from sin are good suggestions, but they can not deliver salvation. People need the Lord Jesus. He alone can forgive, and He alone can save.
And don’t miss this vital point: Philip pointed the Ethiopian to Christ using the Old Testament. While every portion of scripture does not point to Christ in an equally obvious manner, the whole of the scripture is ultimately about Jesus (John 5:39). Let us realize this, remember this, and relay this to everyone we may have opportunity to speak with.