In Acts 8, we find yet another example of the conversion process. Verses 26-35 of this chapter tell of Philip being divinely directed down a road leading from Jerusalem to Gaza. He saw a man of great importance, the treasurer of the Ethiopian queen, riding in his chariot. The Spirit of God indicated to Philip that he should draw near to that chariot. The man did not understand the prophetic passage he was reading and asked for Philip's help in studying it. Verse 35 reads, "Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him."

If You Believe. Having listened to Philip preach Jesus, this treasurer noticed a body of water alongside the road they were traveling. He asked, "'See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?' Then Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.'" (vv.36-37) Conversion involves a change in one's relationship with God, a change from sinful to sinless. This is a change wrought by God through Jesus Christ. But the change occurs at the point of a person's submission to God's will. I have taught in this series that the first element involved in man's submission is faith. He must, as Philip put it, believe in Jesus with all his heart. This man of Ethiopia had such belief.

Natural, Not Supernatural. Let me add, however, that the element of faith is not mystical in its nature. It is not the result of a miraculous operation on the heart. Consider this popular theological position: "We believe and teach that in conversion and sanctification there is an influence of the Spirit in addition to that of the Word, and distinct from it - - an influence, without which the arguments and motives of the gospel would never convert and sanctify one of Adam's ruined race..." (N.L. Rice, The Campbell-Rice Debate, pg.628) This is the opinion among many Protestants. It is thought that man is so inherently sinful he cannot believe in Jesus Christ unless there is some direct influence of the Holy Spirit within his heart separate from the word of God. Did the Holy Spirit play a part in the conversion of this treasurer? Yes. In fact, the Holy Spirit deemed it important enough to record His role in this man's conversion. So what was this important role of the Holy Spirit? "Then the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go near and overtake this chariot.'" (Acts 8.29) His role, simply, was to connect the sinner in need of conversion with the man who could teach him the word of God. There is not one hint in this passage of direct operation upon this man's heart. The man of God taught the word to the man of Ethiopia (v.35) and the sinner resultantly believed. (v.37) Now, was that all?

Repentance. There is no explicit statement as to the man's repentance. But remember that repentance involves the change of a person's will. They decide to submit their will to the will of Jesus Christ. That this man repented is obvious in his desire to be baptized. He had heard the message of Jesus. This message included Jesus' teaching on baptism. (Mk.16:16) The next thing we read is the desire of this sinner to be baptized at the next sight of water. He had resolved to give his will over to Jesus.

"I Believe...". Just as we noticed in the article on the element of confession (article #4), a person must believe but that faith must become known. It must be professed. "For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?" (1Cor.2:11) Philip couldn't know the man believed until he made it known to Philip. This is precisely what took place. "...he answered and said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.'" (Acts 8:37)