PREACHING JESUS - PART 40

The Apostles requiring assistants to help spread the gospel message to the world conversed with believers in this fashion. They said, "Look you out seven men of honest report and filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom." The reason for this is so that the apostles could appoint men of faith to attend to the daily ministration of the people. Indeed, this was necessary for two reasons. First, the increasing number of people that had come to believe the gospel message made it more difficult to ensure that every believer was supported in their quest to serve Jesus, and second, the complications that continually emerged by ongoing persecution. (Acts chapter six elaborates on these credentials).


The apostles praying, laid their hands upon the people. Seven people were appointed, energized by the Holy Spirit in power. Philip was one of the seven chosen to serve by the multitude. Now appointed, as outlined in Acts chapter 8, Philip went to a city called Samaria and preached Christ to them. The people were receptive to the gospel message that Philip spoke. As well, hearing and seeing miracles, and the lame healed was just a starting point. Unclean spirits, crying with loud voices, fled the bodies of many that were possessed. Many more believed. In fact, there was great joy in the city. No, Philip was not practising medicine. He was simply preaching Christ to the masses. Philip just simply believed that God was capable of restoring people to good health. In so doing, he harnessed a childlike faith with God as His instructor.


Remember what the scriptures state. Throughout, Jesus advocated for believers to become like children. Jesus taught that expressing childlike faith in God is akin to a non-wavering faith. But like children, our faith, even if our faith is only a mustard seed in size, is capable of catching God's attention. What was the scriptures said? That God, in response to our faith, is capable of moving mountains. Only believe, He said, because without faith, it is impossible to please God, our Saviour.


Even more so, it is our faith that is so critically important. Believe that all things are possible. If you have faith as a grain of mustard, all things are possible. You see, Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus came to redeem man out of the house of Satan’s bondage. In other words, Jesus overcame captivity. As a captive, Jesus assumed sinful man's place at Calvary. He wants to cover your sins with the blood He shed too.

This is why it shouldn't be a secret as to what God can do. The words of an old gospel hymn come to mind, "What He has done for others, He’ll do for you ... With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you ... It is no secret what God can do."

Just like Philip, who just preached those everyday truths that pertain to the Kingdom of God, Jesus wants you to do the same. In the name of Jesus the Christ, the residents of Samaria responded when Philip suggested that their seed of expressed faith arising in their heart, needs to be watered. Using the analogy , that all seeds need water,  they were all baptised into the name of Jesus. The name that is above every other name in heaven and on earth. The important note here is that there was no hesitation. These people believed the message and straightway, went down into the water to be baptised. The same day, straight away, and by so doing, they stepped into a new dimension of life redeemed by Christ.

They stepped into a realm where they now understood that God Himself as a Son had fulfilled a plan for their salvation. Over time, the news that Philip had preached Jesus (blood, water and spirit) to the Samaritans reached the ears of the Apostles who were at Jerusalem. The apostles sent Peter and John to Samaria. Upon their arrival, they prayed for the believers that they might receive God’s Holy Spirit too. For as yet, the Holy Spirit had not descended upon them. They had not yet received God promise as all believers would.

But they had taken the first steps to a personal relationship with their God and Saviour. The Samarians had repented and were baptised into the name of Jesus. They were redeemed and although they had great joy were effervescent, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, the scriptures noted that as of yet, the Samarians had not yet received the breath of Jesus breathing into them His Holy Spirit.

Why is this so important? Why is the message in the scriptures written this way? Well, these things are written that we might believe and that we all should be of one accord, continuing steadfastly in the teaching of the Holy Spirit of Jesus, as delivered to believers through the mouths of the apostles. These are the principles of the doctrine of Christ. There are other scriptural references too. Philip's experience with the Samarians is not isolated. The scriptures detail other examples of repentance and remission of sins being preached in Jesus Name. Acts chapter 2, Acts chapter10 and Acts chapter 19 are prime examples.

Peace to all those who are of God's household. Have faith in Jesus.