Life Lessons From 25 New Testament CharactersNäide

Bold Faith, Crossing Borders

Go. Let’s not just talk about going, but GO. Philip exemplified this. He obeyed Jesus’ last words on earth, and he took the Gospel to places outside of Jerusalem - outside of his cultural comfort zone. Specifically, we see Philip sharing the Gospel with cultures that were typically avoided by the Jewish people (the Samaritans) and with those who lived far away from Israel (the Ethiopian in the desert). Philip did not hold back but was bold in his faith and trusted God to help him cross-culturally share the message of the Gospel. He knew there were no borders the Gospel could not cross. His whole life exemplified this, and God blessed his acts of faith and obedience which led to the Gospel impacting regions and countries from then until now.

THINK and PRAY:

God often gives simple instructions and asks us to simply be bold and obey. I am sure that Philip did not know everything about Ethiopians, or how the “hated” Samaritan half-breeds (as they were prejudicially known in Philip’s day) would respond to his news about God’s Son, Jesus, but he obeyed. He went. He banked on the belief that God could bring salvation to all people just as Jesus had promised. A major item to note is that Philip used the Word of God to explain the message of Jesus to the Ethiopian. Philip knew the Scriptures were essential in understanding the Gospel. He believed in God's Word having the power to bring an understanding of salvation to people — no matter their varied backgrounds. And Philip saw God move. What holds you back from obeying God and sharing the Gospel? Where do you believe the power comes from to share Christ? God is putting people in your life… are you helping them understand the Word of God? Like Philip, we are all called to GO! The Holy Spirit will empower us as we act.