The Ideal Life
Like the Minor Prophets of the Old Testament, whose short writings are powerful, certain minor characters of the New Testament, although met only briefly, give powerful illustrations for us. Philip and Ananias are such characters whose daily walks with the Holy Spirit accomplished His purposes. You may not be a pastor, Bible teacher, or missionary, but the Holy Spirit has assignments for you and is crossing your paths regularly with others who are special to Him, and for whom He also has assignments. Consider Isaiah 55.5. You should pay special attention to how they listened to the Holy Spirit to be kept from trouble and to learn what He wanted them to do next, in the activities of each day.
A. Philip
- Acts 8.1-8, 26-40 tells his story.
- Who was Philip? Not the Apostle Philip; see Matthew 10.3 and Acts 8.1. He was one of the Seven Deacons chosen to distribute food to the widows, in Acts 6.5 as identified by Easton’s Bible Dictionary, by Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, and in John MacArthur’s Study Bible. This Philip is called ‘the evangelist’ for obvious reasons.
- He fled from Jerusalem after Stephen was persecuted and stoned to death for his witness to Jesus; chapter 7 of Acts. Philip went to a city in Samaria and proclaimed salvation through faith in Jesus; John 14.6. Acts 8.6-8 states that he followed Jesus’ instruction from Matthew 10.7-8 and Apostle Paul’s later practice which he discussed in 1 Corinthians 2.4-5. Philip preached salvation through the name Jesus, and people were healed of diseases and delivered from the oppressions of demons. Remember what Apostle Peter had said, recorded in Acts 4.12, in the context of healing the paralytic in Acts 3.1-16. “So there was much joy in that city” of Samaria.
- “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’” (Acts 8.26) On that road, Philip was instructed, again, to “’Go over and join this chariot’” (verse 29) of the Ethiopian eunuch who was reading from the Prophet Isaiah about Jesus’s vicarious death. Philip explained Jesus, and the court official of Queen Candace of Ethiopia believed and was baptized.
- “And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8.39) Philip found himself in Azotas and preached there as he had in the Samaritan town and would in other cities of his travels with the Holy Spirit until he reached the town of Caesarea. (Acts 21.8-9 mention him again, as a father of four unmarried daughters who prophesied.)
- Ever wonder why you may be led to take a different route to a familiar destination? Could it be that the Holy Spirit is crossing your path with someone who will be influenced by your witness? (Isaiah 55.5) Be attentive to His instructions.
B. Ananias
- Acts 9.10-19 tell the story of one of the most important men in the life of Paul. He is introduced with a simple but profound statement: “The Lord said to him in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’” He was listening for the Lord’s voice while doing his daily chores. How might this have been a fulfillment of John 14.26?
- The Master gave His servant a task that challenged his mind and understanding: go and minister to one you perceive, from all the news about him, to be your enemy. God knew what Ananias didn’t, that Saul was now a follower of Jesus. The Holy Spirit always knows the future, so you can walk confidently now. Consider Isaiah 44.8; why fear others or the future when you know the only God and He is Jehovah-rohi to guide you through the future and with others?
- Do you think Ananias was as eager to go to Saul as was Samuel when he, also, learned about God’s purpose for David? Read the similarities in 1 Samuel 16.1-13. Samuel, too, was scared to go, even after God told him His plan, until God solved that problem also. Note other similarities, including God looking at the heart and not the outward appearance (or previous behavior). Note, too, how the training of David and Saul prepared them for God’s new assignments. Reflect on your ‘preparation’ for the plan to which the Holy Spirit is leading you.
- How does Ananias address Saul when he meets him; Acts 9.17? Who do you think baptized Saul; verse 18? The only thing that had changed for Ananias was the assurance from God that Saul was now ‘different’. God knows; you don’t; so, trust and obey, even when your flesh wants to do otherwise!
C. The Ideal Life
- God described this in Jeremiah 7.23: “But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’”
- Do you see this instruction fulfilled for Philip and Ananias? How was it fulfilled?
- All will be well with us, too, when we obey the Holy Spirit’s voice daily and when we walk according to God’s commandments! The ideal life!
Praise God!!! Matthew 23.39! Copyright © by Maurice L. Painter, 2015. www.sozoclass.com