Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  2024  Day 42

February 11;        Acts 8:6;         97/260;        ‘Getting Their Attention’

Acts 8:6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.     NIV

The Lord Jesus spoke with great authority and like no one else, but it was His miracles , more than what He said that drew the multitudes.  The apostles, once they were baptized in the Holy Spirit also preached with great authority, but again it was the miracles that got the greatest attention of the people.  The Church in Jerusalem was being persecuted greatly and with the exception of the apostles, many believers were scattered.  The scattered Christians went everywhere preaching the Gospel.  Just a side note, the Lord Jesus and His Church can make the most of every situation that arises.  The enemies of the Lord thought they were hindering the Church, when in actuality, they were helping to spread the Gospel.  Never forget that we are on the winning side.  Philip, one of the disciples that was scattered went to Samaria and preached Jesus.  The multitudes is Samaria paid close attention to what Philip said because the miracles the Holy Spirit worked through Philip got their attention.  When the Lord heals people, it is very hard for the devil to lie and tell those who received or saw the miracles that there is no God.  Many accounts in the Gospels tell us that when Jesus healed the multitudes, those who witnessed the miracles glorified the Lord.  Additionally, Acts 8:8 teaches that because of the miracles there was great joy in Samaria.  Miracles build our faith not only that there is a God, but also that He is good and by His power makes the infirmed well.  A huge aspect of revivals, multitudes coming to Jesus, result from miracles.