DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL: Proclaim the Messiah

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 Text: Acts 8:4- 13

Reading through the text, one thing that confronts me is the scattering of the church and how God put that to benefit. It gives me courage that the church of Christ is marching forward and the gates of hell will never prevail against it. Stephen's death became  a catalyst to church growth. Doesn't this show the greatness of God? He turns around ugly situation to our profit. One thing I have learnt in my journey of life is to allow the will of God to prevail in every situation, for He (God) will always work out his best purpose in any condition his children may face; good or bad.

Philip ran away from Jerusalem with his faith intact. He didn't consider hiding or denouncing the truth to avoid being killed as Stephen was, rather he carried forth the proclamation of the kingdom message to his "refugee camp". People everywhere need to hear this message of God's kingdom. Its our duty as disciples to spread it in its purest form and allow the holy spirit to perfect the work of conviction and conversion. Nothing in all of our spiritual disciplines brings the power of God to fore as preaching Christ crucified. When Philip preached, unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed, and many taken with palsies and that were lame were healed (verse 7)

Simon the wizard had terrorized that city and made himself a god. They were under his bondage for a very long time. They needed deliverance which no one knew about except God in his omniscience. He directed Philip's steps to Samaria. For this singular purpose. Philip obeyed and preached and the light of the word of God prevailed over the darkness that has been harrassing this section of Israel's kingdom since Jeroboam's revolt in 2kings. People believed Philip's preaching on things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised and even Simon the sorcerer also believed and was baptised (vv12-13) It is not our place to decide who is beyond God's salvation. Just preach the word. Scatter the seed abroad and let God decide who gets saved.