Day 25 | By Faith Philip Brought Revival to a City
Acts 8:6-8, “6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.”
After Stephen was martyred Philip, also a deacon, went to Samaria and displayed God’s power to the entire city. Philip could have backed down and stopped publically preaching God’s Word. However, Philip did just the opposite, he spread the gospel net even further to Samaria and boldly proclaimed the good news of Jesus for all to hear.
Unlike in Jerusalem where they stoned Stephen, the Samaritans eagerly accepted the gospel and Luke records, “there was great joy in the city!” Crowds of people came to hear the preaching and they were amazed as they witnessed the power of God drive out demons and heal the lame and paralyzed.
I don’t believe it was any accident that Philip picked Samaria to be the next major place to hear the gospel after Jerusalem because he knew that Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Therefore, the disciples started in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost and then after Stephen’s death they split between going to Judea and Samaria, Acts 8:1.
Philip didn’t let fear detour him from having faith in Jesus’ plan. Because he was willing to walk by faith and preach to the Samaritans a great revival came and many people were saved, delivered, and healed. The challenge for us today is to complete the last past of Jesus’ plan and preach “to the ends of the earth.” We don’t know what will happen when we go because it could be revival or riot. But nonetheless, we should be encouraged by the faith of Philip and boldly declare God’s Word for all to hear and believe that God is able to both save and deliver all who call on the name of Jesus!
Reflection
Are you willing to preach the gospel in your part of the world?
Action
- Ask God to fill you with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
- Begin to make times to regularly preach the gospel in your city and surrounding areas.
- Like Philip, by faith, preach repentance to sinners, healing to the sick, and deliverance to the oppressed!