Charlotte’s Hope Church
Acts 8:4-25
Things are intense. Stephen was martyred, Saul in on the WAR PATH and now no one is safe. After his death, Christians were forced to run for their lives.
Saul’s plan backfired. He had hoped that Stephen’s execution would frighten the followers of Jesus into silence and subservience. Instead, it scattered the FIRE OF THEIR FAITH!
Acts 8:4-5 NIV
Acts 1:8 NIV
Acts 8:6-13 NIV
Phillip preached a 3-point message which brought great results. (Important in our witness)
· Christ
· The Kingdom of God
· The Name of Jesus
Amazing! But his preaching stopped short of all that the Samaritans truly needed to hear.
Acts 2:38 NIV
Scholars are not sure why, but Philip, who was one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles known for being “full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” did not preach the gift of the Holy Spirit as part of his message.
Acts 8:14-17 NIV
Up until this moment, the Samaritan believers had the influence of the Holy Spirit - for He gives the gift of faith - but they did not have all the resource and power to live the new life of faith.
Like many “converts” today, they are born again, their past has been forgiven, they know Jesus loves them, and they are sent out to “live out their salvation” under their own strength.
WE WERE NEVER MEANT TO LIVE OUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
We were meant to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, the infilling of His Spirit, so that the life of Christ can now be LIVED THROUGH US.
It is so critical for us to understand the fullness of Salvation provided for us through Calvary.
Past settled and forgiven
Kingdom goals and priorities become focus of life
Authority in the name of Jesus to overcome evil and live victoriously
Power of the Holy Spirit for the life of Christ to be through us.
Acts 8:18-25 NIV
Modern Simony – the desire to have the life Christ promises without the surrender of all of life to Him who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
We only have all that God wants for us when He has all of us.
Don’t settle for less than FULL.
Acts 19:1-6 NIV
