Verse of the Day 8/9

 

Acts 8:5Philip [the deacon, not the apostle] went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ (the Messiah) to them [the people];  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

Over the past couple of days we've considered how God has called his people throughout history to "get up and go".  It is not just for the sake of going, it is for the sake of spreading, sharing, teaching the gospel, the good news about Jesus.  Today's verse is an example of that in action.  Philip "went".

 

I choose the Amplified Bible translation because it makes an important point.  Philip was one of the seven deacons that were chosen to take care of the day to day responsibilities of the church.  They weren't the official teachers or preachers of the church.  But what we see in the Bible of Philip and Stephen, they knew what they believed,  the Bible, the gospel, and they carried it with them in their hearts, minds and actions, wherever they went.

 

We may be tempted to think that if we are not in a pastoral or official teaching role in our church that we "are off the hook" as far as sharing the gospel, sharing our faith.  This is not the case.  We need to be prepared as we go, as we head out to face the challenges and opportunities of the day.  Those challenges just may be our opportunities.

 

If you have some time this weekend, read through the account of Philip and Stephen in Acts 7 and 8.  Look at their examples, their faithfulness and the impact that they had on those around them, including a man names Saul who would later go on to write the majority of the New Testament.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Acts 8:5The Message (MSG)

^3-8 And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Going down to a Samaritan city, Philip proclaimed the Message of the Messiah. When the people heard what he had to say and saw the miracles, the clear signs of God's action, they hung on his every word. Many who could neither stand nor walk were healed that day. The evil spirits protested loudly as they were sent on their way. And what joy in the city!