The Message of Christ Crucified
Scripture: Acts 8:5-8 - Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
Christ crucified was prophesized in Isaiah 53, and the prophesy was fulfilled in Matthew 27:31-56, Mark 15:20-41, Luke 23:26-46, and John 19:16-30. I Corinthians 15:3-4 says - For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.)
When Philip arrived in Samaria, he preached Christ to the people (as it says in Acts 8:5). The only message that the early Church had was the virgin birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. “Christ and Him crucified” was the message. (I Corinthians 2:2 - For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.)
Paul explained/expounded on/preached the whole council of God to the Church, and he taught the Corinthians the word of God. (Acts 20:27 - For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.) The focus of his preaching and teaching to unbelievers was Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for sin on the cross. When Philip preached the simple message of Christ being crucified, a multitude responded to his preaching! Miracles were performed, and there was a great “joy” in that city (Acts 8:6-8)!!!
Philip preached about Christ being crucified to the Ethiopian Eunuch, and he believed on Christ for salvation! (Acts 8:27-35 - And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,28 was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 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. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.)
Some churches today spend so much time teaching about social/cultural issues, and they neglect to emphasize that Christ was crucified for our sin. As we witness to those we encounter, remember it is not about how eloquent we speak or how much we say. We don’t save anyone. We are to plant seeds. We have to depend on the Holy Spirit to give us what to say or how to respond to people. Keep it clear, concise, and to the point. Share above all about how Christ was crucified for our sin. Share scriptures about the gospel of Jesus Christ – His virgin birth, life, death, burial and resurrection. There are numerous scriptures that we should memorize, which we can share as we witness (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 5:12, 10:9-10, John 3:16).
Since Christ died for us, we should die to ourselves by faith. Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I Peter 2:24-25 says - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus for dying on the cross for my sin!!! Help me to die to my flesh and live by faith unto righteousness. Also, by Your power, please give me what to say as I witness to the lost. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
(by Marsha Williams)
Christ crucified was prophesized in Isaiah 53, and the prophesy was fulfilled in Matthew 27:31-56, Mark 15:20-41, Luke 23:26-46, and John 19:16-30. I Corinthians 15:3-4 says - For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.)
When Philip arrived in Samaria, he preached Christ to the people (as it says in Acts 8:5). The only message that the early Church had was the virgin birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. “Christ and Him crucified” was the message. (I Corinthians 2:2 - For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.)
Paul explained/expounded on/preached the whole council of God to the Church, and he taught the Corinthians the word of God. (Acts 20:27 - For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.) The focus of his preaching and teaching to unbelievers was Jesus Christ who paid the penalty for sin on the cross. When Philip preached the simple message of Christ being crucified, a multitude responded to his preaching! Miracles were performed, and there was a great “joy” in that city (Acts 8:6-8)!!!
Philip preached about Christ being crucified to the Ethiopian Eunuch, and he believed on Christ for salvation! (Acts 8:27-35 - And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,28 was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 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. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.)
Some churches today spend so much time teaching about social/cultural issues, and they neglect to emphasize that Christ was crucified for our sin. As we witness to those we encounter, remember it is not about how eloquent we speak or how much we say. We don’t save anyone. We are to plant seeds. We have to depend on the Holy Spirit to give us what to say or how to respond to people. Keep it clear, concise, and to the point. Share above all about how Christ was crucified for our sin. Share scriptures about the gospel of Jesus Christ – His virgin birth, life, death, burial and resurrection. There are numerous scriptures that we should memorize, which we can share as we witness (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 5:12, 10:9-10, John 3:16).
Since Christ died for us, we should die to ourselves by faith. Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I Peter 2:24-25 says - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Prayer: Thank You Lord Jesus for dying on the cross for my sin!!! Help me to die to my flesh and live by faith unto righteousness. Also, by Your power, please give me what to say as I witness to the lost. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
(by Marsha Williams)
2 Comments
Praise the LORD! Christ was crucified for all mankind. But, Jesus has risen indeed! This Gospel is too great to keep to ourselves. Spread it every place.
Thank you for reminding me of the important message of the cross!!