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Good morning dear friends,
Today, Thursday May 9, we are reading together Acts chapter 8, one of the most dramatic chapters in the New Testament.
Please notice Acts 8:1 is accomplishing what Jesus commissioned His disciples to do in Acts 1:8. He had said “You will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” Until Acts 8 the Apostles had been so busy in Jerusalem with the rapid growth of their movement, they had no time to think about Judea or Samaria. . . until the persecution broke out and people scattered for their lives.
In recent years we’ve seen reports of terrible persecution against Christians in Muslim nations in Central Asia that are the modern day equivalent of what Saul was doing in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 8:3. Saul was determined to eliminate this Jesus movement by force. He was ruthless.
Philip was another of the new Deacons chosen, along with Stephen, and as Saul’s persecution broke out, Philip was led by the Holy Spirit to Samaria. As you read Acts 8, watch closely as Philip follows the guiding Spirit of God.
Please don’t be troubled by Acts 8:17. As this Jesus movement moved from Jerusalem to surrounding areas there needed to be some means of validating that what people were experiencing in other places was authentic and was linked directly to what God was doing in Jerusalem. Remember Jews had nothing but ridicule for Samaritans, thus the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem led by Peter and John and the other Apostles needed to know the Holy Spirit was working in Samaria just as He was doing in Jerusalem and therefore all prejudice must be put aside. Having Peter & John directly involved in Samaria gave the movement there validation both to them and to those back in Jerusalem.
Please take note of the Holy Spirit leading Philip AWAY from the revival taking place in Samaria, to stand along a roadside in Gaza! The Holy Spirit knew a high ranking Ethiopian official was coming by who was a worshiper of God but did not yet know Jesus. Philip’s obedience put him strategically in the right place at the right time, and Africa had its first missionary! That Ethiopian official trusted in Jesus, was baptized by Philip and went on home to Africa a Christ follower!!
And do you notice where Philip went? Azotus…have you ever heard of that place? Check out 1 Samuel 5. Azotus was the first century name of the Philistine town called Ashdod where the Ark of the Covenant was taken when captured from Israel! Here over 1000 years later, God wants the heathen people of Ashdod to have a chance to know about Jesus…and sends Philip the missionary there to give them the Gospel. It’s a powerful example of God’s love for even the darkest places in the world.
Finally, one last observation… Philip ends up in Caesarea, the provincial Roman capital. A highly influential city, and the Holy Spirit allows him to settle there and raise a family. How do I know… take a sneak look ahead, Acts 21:8 and see who comes to that city to visit Philip and his daughters. It will amaze you!
That my friends is a wonderful New Testament example of God’s determination to accomplish His purposes as He said in Isaiah 46:9,10.
Now you see why Acts 8 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. And that very same God wants to lead your life and mine today!
Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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