It Is No Secret What God Can Do, With Arms Wide Open, He'll Pardon You - Part 2397

At one point, the Apostles were criticized for not doing enough for the orphans and widows. Thus, some form of assistants were needed to help spread the gospel message to the world. So the apostles said, "Look you out seven men of honest report and filled with the Holy Ghost and wisdom." The reason for this is so that the apostles could appoint men of faith to attend to the daily ministration of those in need. 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 fully supported in their quest to serve Jesus, and second, the complications that continually emerged by ongoing persecution. (Acts 6 elaborates on the credentials required for these seven -- if you'd like to further understand the context of these scriptures).

The apostles praying laid their hands upon the people. Seven people were appointed, energized by the Holy Ghost 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 good news 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. 

For the record, Philip was not practising medicine. Philip was not practicing some new age sorcery or wizardry either, Rather, Philip was preaching the empowering message of Jesus Christ to the masses. Why? Because Philip simply believed that God was capable of restoring people to good health. In so doing, he harnessed a childlike faith with Almighty God as His instructor.

Remember what the scriptures state. 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 was the scriptures said? That God, in response to our faith, is capable of moving mountains. "Only believe," Jesus 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 precious, holy Name of Jesus the Christ, the residents of Samaria responded when Philip suggested that the seed of expressed faith arising in their hearts, needed to be watered. Using the same analogy -- that all seeds need water,  they were all baptized into the empowering 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 on the part of the people. These people believed the message and straightway, went down into the water to be baptized -- in His Name -- the Only Name given in this current dispensation of grace -- the Name of the JESUS. 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 -- the Holy Ghost, the Comforter who leads and guides into all truth. For as yet, the Holy Ghost had not yet 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 (responded to the call of the Lord Jesus in their hearts) but had not yet been water 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 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 teachings 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. (II John 1:9; Hebrews 6:1-2) This includes being water baptized in the precious, holy Name of the Lord Jesus as an answer of a good conscience toward God -- our minds renewed, our hearts settled to the call of the Lord once and for all.

There are many other scriptural references that validate the teachings herein. Thus, 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 -- as both Lord and Christ, and dwell in His promises wherein He is forever faithful to those who worship Him.

Stand in the offering plate.