Jun 1996 - Editorial

by HYLAND, D. T. | Category: Editorial | Jun 1996

The writer of the article in our main series has bad no difficulty in extracting valuable lessons from the life of Philip, who is described by Luke as the evangelist, to distinguish him from Philip the apostle.

The 'seven men of good report' did not nominate themselves; they were chosen by their peers. Their fellow disciples knew they were men who could be relied upon to act impartially, to overcome a problem that had caused one ethnic group in the Jerusalem Church to feel neglected. But Philip was a versatile man who also had the gift of the evangelist. His ability to 'build bridges' is evident because he was the first to share the gospel with the Samaritans. To break the barrier between Jews and Samaritans was a significant event in the progress of the gospel. He also led the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ, the first African to embrace the gospel.

It was from a scroll of Isaiah, that part often described as the golden passional, the meaning of which was obscure to the Ethiopian, that 'Philip ... preached unto him Jesus'. This month's article Future Hope, the last in the series Gleanings From Isaiah, draws attention to the hope of Israel to be realized in Messiah's millennial kingdom, and the believer's hope, the second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is appropriate that Focus should return to the consideration of the 'Toronto Blessing'. John Arnott, of the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship, has recently visited the U.K. and his activities have attracted comment in the media.

Whether travelling or in prison, Paul's concern was for the converts in the churches. One of the ways in which this manifested itself was in his prayers on their behalf. This month we begin a series of four articles Paul's Prison Prayers, commencing with his prayer for the saints in Philippi.

HYLAND, D. T. | Jun 1996
Editorial