An angel told Philip to leave Samaria and travel to the south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza (Acts 8:26). Seeing the Ethiopian Eunuch riding in a chariot, the Holy Spirit told Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot” (v. 29). Philip heard him reading from Isaiah and initiated a conversation that resulted in an opportunity to preach the gospel. Both an angel and the Holy Spirit were involved in this account of conversion. Why didn’t either one of them speak to the eunuch?

An angel appeared to Cornelius and told him to “send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:13-14). It took three days to get Peter from Joppa to Caesarea so he could preach to Cornelius. Why didn’t the angel just tell Cornelius the words he needed to hear?

In His wisdom, and for His reasons, the Lord has chosen believers to be the means by which the saving gospel is to be delivered to lost souls. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14).

As believers, you and I have the treasure of the gospel within us - “we have this treasure in earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7). It does not originate within us, it is carried by us as we write it on our hearts, live it in our daily lives, and, most importantly, teach it to others.

“Into our hands the gospel is given.” Are we being faithful with our responsibility to share it with others? Do you know someone who needs to hear the gospel from you today?