Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city. (Act 8:5-8)
I’m headed in the morning to Atlanta for the remainder of the week to study a theology of evangelism. So I’ll admit that evangelism is on my mind as I continue my reading of Acts. Acts is, of course, a text all about evangelism. In the early church one understood that the terms evangelist, missionary, and Christian all meant the same thing. If you were one – you were all three. We might even call that the trinity of early church membership!!
What I think is very informative about this text however is to notice what the effect of evangelism is in here. Phillip goes to Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them… basically he starts talking about Jesus. One might even imagine he’s street preaching. He’s that guy standing on a busy intersection giving a sermon to the crowds walking by… only these crowds become captivated by him. These crowds “listened eagerly”. These crowds had great joy because of what he was saying.
Why is that? I think the nugget of wisdom here is this line, “hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured.”
Often when we think of evangelism we imagine it means telling someone they have to believe in Jesus Christ so that they can be saved. In such a formula – overly reductionist and yet really and truly our operative understanding of it – to believe means a spiritual re-birth or awakening/acceptance, Jesus Christ is the sole means and source, and the salvation is about our soul going to heaven rather than hell.
What does it mean however if we start to think of salvation as truly being saved… RIGHT NOW! Not saved as the end of time (when heaven and hell become operative as destinations)… but saved in our current state of being. What if to be saved means to be healed of anxiety, fear, mistrust, paranoia, self-neglect, self-infatuation… basically to have the unclean spirits come out of us! What if to be saved means to have the paralyzed (physically, spiritually, emotionally) and lame be cured!
If we are saved by Jesus Christ – than we are made whole. Our spirit rests in the Spirit of God… and anguish turns to joy. In this model evangelism isn’t motivated by fear of hell – but out of passionate desire that others have what we have – healing, wholeness, and joy!
When Phillip preaches the good news of Jesus Christ (that is after all what evangelism means: good news) its no surprise that the crowds stop to listen. More importantly they stop to listen not because of what he is saying, but because of what is happening though his preaching... they stop because his words and presence - by the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus Christ - are positively transforming their community and their lives. Healing and wholeness - goodness and mercy follow him! When Phillip preaches the good news with that backdrop then everyone wants to gather round to see this wonderful thing – to share in it – to be a part of the abundant joy.
Have you felt saved by Jesus – are you willing to let the unclean spirits depart?
Are you filled with a passionate desire to share the healing power of the Jesus?
Do others gather around with joy to participate with you in the good news?
Saving God,
You offer us the healing power of your Spirit. You have charged us to be a cup overflowing with your abundant grace. Empower us to live our lives in such a way that all that we do and say tells a story of love, and leads others to you.
Amen.
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