Good afternoon, dear people.
I haven’t even been outside yet.—and it’s already past 2pm. I had hoped to get on with some urgent work—like taking down a big tree. But that’s not likely to happen now with my commitment to minister this evening at the Clackamas County Jail. I’m feeling like I could use an infusion of strength like that which Philip experienced while chasing down that Ethiopian chariot. And, who knows—there could even be some guys there as hungry and ready to receive the Biblical Gospel as was the Ethiopian.
Have a good rest of your day. Blessings. Ray.
There is a great deal of supernatural phenomena going on within this reading—but, of course, not all flowing from the same spiritual source. Many, however, are deceived into believing that the source for it all really is the same—or that such displays of supernatural power simply demonstrate spiritual superiority—leading them to think that the greater display of such power deserves the greater level of worthiness to be followed and believed. That was the kind of renown and respect that Simon the Sorcerer enjoyed in Samaria. Biblical revelation, however, is clear at pointing out that such a line of reasoning is a dangerous and potentially destructive error.
It is quite apparent that God chooses to make use of supernatural phenomena when and where He wills, like an advertising strategy to get people’s attention and to accompany and confirm the validity of the Biblical Gospel. But I sense a potential error on this side too when believers think they can knock out miraculous healings, signs, and wonders on a whim by simply repeating Bible-magic-like formulas for claiming such results. A wonderful exception is presented in this special setting where Philip was functioning as an evangelist in the spiritually-darkened region of Samaria. In this case miracles proved to be an effective accessory. It says that Philip “preached to them the wonderful news of the Anointed One. The crowds were eager to receive Philip’s message and were persuaded by the many miracles and wonders he performed. Many demon-possessed people were set free and delivered as evil spirits came out of them with loud screams and shrieks, and many who were lame and paralyzed were also healed. This resulted in an uncontainable joy filling the city!” (vv. 6-8, TPT). It was another genuine Spirit-inspired revival.
I like supernatural phenomena too—as long as I am convinced of its genuine divine source. In fact, I’m quite dazzled myself at how God pours so much supernatural into Philip and his ministry. And why not? After all, God is quite supernatural. He’s God! But wouldn’t it be nice if we who claim relationship with Him could get in on such specific guidance as Philip experienced on a regular basis—specific instructions from an angelic visitation, followed by an audible voice from the Holy Spirit, so as to specifically connect us with specific people in such a ripe and ready state of searching and hungering for the Biblical Gospel as in this case with Philip. He was supernaturally guided into a precise meeting with the Ethiopian guy riding in a chariot (Parenthetical comment: I discern between the lines the likelihood of something else supernatural going on—like, what are the chances that a normal guy on foot would be expected to intercept a fast-moving horse-drawn chariot and jog alongside for who-knows-how-long, without being supernaturally empowered by a special measure of track-star strength and endurance?)—who just happened to be reading from the scroll of Isaiah at, of all places, chapter 53—one of the most compelling Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament! Bingo! Perfect timing! The Ethiopian guy is dramatically convinced and converted on the spot. Then, right after Philip baptizes this new believer in a pool of water beside the road—POOF!—Philip disappears. It was like God used the familiar CONTROL-X command on Philip—then CONTROL-V command to copy and paste him at Ashdod! What fun! What a deal!
Taking it all in, however, I judge that John’s warning is still valid for today—“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit (supernatural phenomenon), but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets (with deceptive displays of supernatural power) have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1, NIV).