Acts - Until Everyone KnowsSample

Acts 8

The Church in Acts continues to thrive despite growing persecution. The Gospel is preached, people are being set free from demons, and many are being healed miraculously. In Samaria, a magician called Simon receives the Gospel and starts following Philip, one of the apostles. The apostles send Peter and John to see what is happening there, and they pray for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.

Simon is a bit awestruck and asks to get this Power so he can do what they do, but Peter and John sense this desire is not pure because it is tainted by his history of involvement in magic, so they rebuke him. Later, Philip gets instructed by an angel to go to a specific road in the middle of nowhere, where he meets an Ethiopian eunuch who is reading from Isaiah. Philip asks him if he understands, to which the man replies, “How can I, unless someone guides me” (v. 31)? Philip is able to explain the scripture, and the eunuch is so convinced by the Message of Jesus that he asks to get baptised on the spot!

We think of growth in the Church and many people being added to faith without sometimes thinking of what it will involve! People need teaching from the Bible and instruction on how to live out their faith, and often, change takes time (like Simon, who still carried some of his old thought patterns).

Are you willing to be used by God to bring people closer to Him, whether it is helping them to understand who Jesus is or helping them to grow in Christlike Character? Are you willing to go to where God leads you, sensing you have to go home a different way, for example, or being ready to answer someone’s questions about life and faith?

Lord Jesus, help me to be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit - where to go and who to talk to – so many people are asking questions inside. Use me to share naturally with others, whether it is with people who are ready to respond straight away or people who need time. Use me, Lord! Amen.

Rachel Gibson