Passage of the Day - November 18, 2010

Acts 8:5-8

 ⁵Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.

 ⁶The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.

 ⁷For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.

 ⁸So there was much rejoicing in that city.

These passages are always tricky because of the debate over whether sign gifts are still used by God in the Church today.  However, notice the order of things in this passage.  First is Phillip preaching liberation from the bondage and penalty of our sin through Christ.  Second is liberation from the dark spiritual forces enslaving the people.  Third is liberation from physical ailments.  If a preacher’s focus is the gospel of Christ, he might be authentic even if he performs sign gifts.  However, if a preacher’s focus is the sign gifts, he is more than likely a charlatan.