Acts 8:4-25 | God Uses Bad Opportunitiesનમૂનો

Up to this point in the book of Acts, the message of the saving grace of Jesus had been located in Jerusalem. However, Jesus states that the disciples would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 8 begins with Stephen being stoned and a great persecution breaks out against the church in Jerusalem. Philip (another one of those men like Stephen whom we see raised up in Acts 6 to help take on the responsibility of the church) is one of the many who escapes out of town. He travels to Samaria and preaches to the Samaritans the saving message of Jesus Christ. In him, we see the power of the Holy Spirit in the midst of tremendous spiritual change, with Samaritans accepting Jesus as their Savior.

This journey in itself is astonishing as centuries-old quarrels between Jews and Samaritans caused division; the two groups didn’t even talk to each other. But Acts 8:6 tells us that they paid close attention to what Philip said. It’s almost as if we see the work of the Holy Spirit going on ahead of Philip, working in the hearts of the Samaritans a hunger to listen to Philip’s gospel message of Jesus Christ. And, as we’ve seen in Acts, with it comes an inbreaking of Christ’s kingdom accompanied by healing and evil spirits being cast out. The result? Acts 8:8 gives a simple yet profound statement of what happens when you hear the good news and receive Christ’s kingdom: “There was great joy in that city.”

Acts 1:8 tells us that this was God’s plan for the gospel message of Jesus – to spread outside of Jerusalem into Samaria and beyond. Receiving God’s kingdom brought joy to the Samaritans. Receiving God’s work brings joy to us also. How has the Holy Spirit recently brought joy into your life?