"Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did (exorcisms and healings)....And there was great joy in the city."
Acts 8:5-6, 8
The rest of the Book of Act is the record of the spread of the Gospel outside of Jerusalem – in Samaria, in Joppa, to a Roman at Caesarea, in Antioch, and through Paul to the "uttermost." The Jews were not inclined to reach out to non-Jews. But Jesus had "other sheep" (John 10:16) who needed to hear the good news. Jesus was not exclusive and, even though the Jews traditionally hated the Samaritans, He went to the city of Samaria (John 4) and planted seed. I can imagine that when Philip preached Jesus to them, they said among themselves, "Is this the same Jesus that came here a couple of years ago?" We need to be like Jesus and Philip, and reach out to people who are not a part of our ethnic or social sphere. Everyone needs Jesus.
Today's Thought: The Gospel is not just for an exclusive club, but is for everyone.
Have a reaching day. Love you.
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