Bible Lesson: Miracles Of The Power Of The Holy Spirit: Philips' Ministry Of Deliverance.
God's Messenger: Philip (Deacon)
Bible Location: Samaria.
Bible Text: Acts 8:4-13 NLT
(Philip at Samaria.)
4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.
6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did.
7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.
8 So there was great joy in that city.
9 A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great.
10 Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.”
11 They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.
12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.
13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.
Oh, how some people due to their cold, hard, dispositions, would like to do away with the 8th chapter of the book of Acts, but they will have to take that up with the Lord.
“Pastor, dear pastor-(the kind of letters received) don't you realize, people aren't possessed, and besides today we have the doctor's office, the Mayo-Clinic, etc. These stories are just to remind us of the glory days as it were of the church, days long gone.”
Well if you don't believe in possession, perhaps you should pick up today's daily newspaper. In the theater section you will see that 70% of all movies made today, deal with the subject of evil and possession! It seems that Hollywood certainly believes.
And isn't it a shame that Jesus of all people, taught His disciples a ministry that was “not”, to be perpetuated! Why, oh why would He do a thing like that?
Mark 16:15-20 KJV
15 And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them;
(Theses words defined, see the blog posting: Kept By The Power Of God )
they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Well, our Lord wouldn't do a thing like that, He taught His followers to preach the word, and to be full of the Spirit, doing the works of Christ, with prayer for the sick, and deliverance to those who are bound by the power of Satan.
And the only difference between our Saviours' day and our day is that it is more evil than ever before!
Has the need of the gospel changed?
Should we stop preaching it?
NEVER!
Has the need of the ministry of healing and deliverance changed?
Should we stop caring for others?
NEVER!
People are just as in need today, as they were in our Saviours' day.
The God of Mount Tower and Babel's tongues of judgment-is also the God of Mount Upper Room, and Pentecosts' tongues of blessing!
Philip, because of persecution of the early church, became an evangelist. _Persecution of the disciples at Jerusalem, forced many to flee, and so Philip fled to Samaria. And as a man of God, he did there what every Christian should do wherever they are, he witnessed of his faith!
Romans 10:8-10 KJV
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Confession of faith, is to be an integral part of every Christians life!
Philip, a deacon (Acts 6:5/ a member of the laity, called upon to serve the church and its members.),
first preached the word of God.
Mark 16:17 KJV
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Signs, (Healings, miracles, etc.) are always in second place to the word of God, that always comes first!
Acts 8:4-6 KJV
4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.
6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message...”
And then secondly, through faith and prayer, miracles were the result.
Acts 8:6-8 KJV
6 “...and see the miraculous signs he did.
7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed.
8 So there was great joy in that city.
Can a member of the “laity,” do these works today?
Yes, if like Philip they are a dedicated, Spirit-endued (Luke 24:49), child of God!
Mark 16:15 is called the “Great Commission,” because it is the mandate handed down to the church, by the Author of salvation, Himself, the Lord Jesus Christ!
Well, what if any was the result of the preaching of the word, with signs following?
Acts 8:8 KJV
“...there was great joy in that city.”
If a multitude of people, were spiritually set free from sin and Satan, their bodies healed, and set free of his bondage, what else could there be in the city, but exceeding joy!
Is it any wonder why the “devil,” and his following hated the powerful Pentecostal Church of Jerusalem, and that of today?
Friends, all one has to do is to open up your own Bible and to read the story of the early church, and the words of our Saviour to know what His will is for His people!
The early church was born in persecution, persecution made it spread to the four corners of the earth.
And what of these last days of the church?
Will it again come under the monstrous hand of Satan, to crush it?
Wherever we will find ourselves, remember well the teaching of our Lord, and the wonderful example of Philip.
Matthew 5:14-16 KJV
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Romans 12:11,12 NLT
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
