The apostles regularly prayed and laid their hands upon the people. Among them, a man named Philip was one of seven chosen to serve the multitude. Now appointed, as outlined in Acts chapter 8, Philip went to a city called Samaria and preached Christ to them.
In addition to hearing and seeing miracles, the people were very receptive to the gospel message. In fact, the scriptures state that there was great joy in the city. Please note that there was nothing particularly special about Philip. He was simply an ordinary man called to preach Christ to the masses. To this end, Philip believed that God was capable of restoring people to good health. And in so doing, he harnessed a childlike faith in our Lord God and Saviour --- His instructor --- that allowed him to do extraordinary things.
In addition to hearing and seeing miracles, the people were very receptive to the gospel message. In fact, the scriptures state that there was great joy in the city. Please note that there was nothing particularly special about Philip. He was simply an ordinary man called to preach Christ to the masses. To this end, Philip believed that God was capable of restoring people to good health. And in so doing, he harnessed a childlike faith in our Lord God and Saviour --- His instructor --- that allowed him to do extraordinary things.
Do you remember the simplicity of the gospel message? Throughout, Jesus advocated for believers to become like little 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 does the scriptures state? 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. It is our faith that is so critically important. We are encouraged to believe with all our hearts, our souls and our minds that 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. The righteous for the unrighteous. The one who knew no sin became sin for us.
And this, because He wants to cover our sins with the precious 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 baptized into the name of Jesus. The name that is above every other name in heaven and on earth. The important note here is that they did so and there was no hesitation. These people believed the message and straightway went down into the water to be baptized. 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 begotten 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 Samaritans had repented and were baptized 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 Samaritans 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?
These things are written so that we might believe -- in 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. For other examples of repentance and remission of sins being preached in Jesus Name, read the book of Acts, specifically Acts chapter 2, Acts chapter 10 and Acts chapter 19.
Stand in the offering plate.
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