(Luke 2:16,17). When you really find Jesus,
you want to tell others about Him; and that is
what the shepherds did. We are responsible to
deliver the gift of Jesus just like they did.
The Early Church Delivered the Gift
The Early Church had the responsibility of
delivering the gift of Jesus, but that road was
not an easy one. Acts 8 tells how Saul was
wreaking havoc in the Early Church by entering
into Christians’ houses and taking men
and women to be thrown into prison. The
early Christians were scattered abroad because
of all the persecution, but they still went out
and delivered the gift of Jesus.
Then Philip went down to the city of
Samaria, and preached Christ unto them
(Acts 8:5). As Philip prayed for the sick and
afflicted, they were healed and delivered.
Jesus paid the price so that we could have miracles
and healings. But he was wounded for
our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace
was upon him; and with his stripes we are
healed (Isaiah 53:5). The blood of Jesus can
deliver you from any bondage you may have
in your life. He brought healing for soul, mind
and body.
When Philip preached the things concerning
the Kingdom of God, people were baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ; and they received
the greatest gift of all, the gift of Jesus Christ.
And the people with one accord gave heed
unto those things which Philip spake, hearing
and seeing the miracles which he did
(Acts 8:6). Philip had great success delivering
the gift of Jesus to people.
Philip’s Unusual Journey
After Philip had preached to the Samaritan
people, the Holy Ghost moved on him to go to
Gaza, which is a desert area. One moment he
was conducting a great revival, and the next he
was called to a place of desolation. It would
have been easy for Philip to want to stay in the
place where he was having great success and
where people were receiving the gift of Jesus;
but the Bible says, For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways my
ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8,9).
The Holy Ghost moved on Philip to deliver
the gift of Jesus to a soul in the desert; and
when you are led by the Holy Ghost, He
doesn’t want you to hesitate. Philip left right
away; and he went by faith, not by feelings.
In the desert, there was an Ethiopian man
returning from his visit to Jerusalem; and he
was reading the writings of Isaiah. He was an
educated man of high standing, but he didn’t
understand what he was reading.
Thankfully, Philip was yielded to the Holy
Ghost, so he was in the right place at the right
time to help that man. Then the Spirit said
unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to
this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him,
and heard him read the prophet Esaias,
and said, Understandest thou what thou
readest? And he said, How can I, except
some man should guide me? And he desired
Philip that he would come up and sit with
him (Acts 8:29–31).
Philip Delivered the Gift
The Holy Ghost prepares people to receive
the gift of Jesus, and God’s timing was perfect.
The man’s moving chariot was passing by
Philip at the exact moment he was reading the
scripture about Jesus. The Holy Ghost knew
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