@marks @Wrangler @RedFan @Jay Ross @Aunty Jane
Something of value to take away from this discussion is a
Bible principle which has been proven time and time again, both in the Word of God and in this forum.
Jesus did it here: To his disciples he declared: "beginning at Moses and all the prophets,
he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself (Lk 24:27)
Stephen expounded here: Now when they heard these things
they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. Acts 7:54
Phillip did it here: Then Philip
opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus Acts 8:35.
Three examples, 2 positive and 1 negative. (there are many more!)
If one can accurately
expound truth in a forthright manner, how joyful is it to discover your audience has "one mind", and a willingness to receive and act upon the message being conveyed? Even more so, those who go away and search the Scripture to find if these things are so, and come back with joy in their hearts having received of the Lord?
However,
We have present, the disinterested, those who doubt and flee to what is known and comfortable! Some listen and are polite, but rather than attempting to undermine their reasoning, walk away, retreat as it were into the background having not given, or received. Others make a show of trying only to retreat into what is known.
Then, on the rarest occasions you have someone who like Phillip asked the question
"and said, Do you understand?"
In other words "Have you intellectually perceived this message and applied it to your heart?"
In every sense of the Word our responsibility is to "understand", which is why when you ask this person a question from the Word, they "grasp the significance of what you are showing them, and they understand how knowledge must influence the entire purpose and way of life, that they might live by faith in accordance with God's will"
Whether its the disciples on the road to Emmaus, or the Ethiopian Eunuch, a thorough clear perception of the Truth is being sought and this person understands the value of such wisdom which is why Jesus, Stephen and Phillip all in one way, or another, ask
"Have you understood what you are reading and re-reading?"
Endurance in teaching does not equate to having truth! Just because you can riposte doesn't mean you do so with truth. We all need to be able to ask questions and answer them openly and honestly, otherwise all of us fail the Inspired example. If we cannot do as those faithful have done before us, we have nothing, and are nothing.
The Eunech said
"guide me"...he did not insist on his own interpretation of scripture, but was aware of his own limitations. I believe I have seen those limitations here today and I am not suggesting I am the one to guide (though willing on some subjects)!...true teachers of the Word are attested by the Word, contrary to the likes of the Pharisees whom Christ described using this same word as:
"Blind leaders of the blind: (Mat. 15:14).
God (Yahweh) will bless those who manifest a correct attitude: "The meek will He guide in judgment, and the meek will He teach His
way" (Psa 25:9).
Apart from this attitude, individuals will never become truly wise in the ways of Yahweh.
F2F