Good Morning Friends,
Saul enters today’s story still bearing his Hebrew name, not yet the apostle Paul. We meet him in the before picture—zealous, violent, convinced he is serving God—standing as a consenting witness to Stephen’s death. Yet even here, a seed is planted. The persecution that scatters the church becomes the very fire that spreads the gospel. Philip preached in Samaria, unclean spirits flee, the lame walk, and joy fills a city that had never expected to see the face of Christ. This is how God works: He transforms enemies into apostles, persecution into mission, scattering into sowing. And it raises the question for us: Will we recognize and apply the character of Christ in our daily living?
Scripture Summaries
Acts 8:1–8
Saul approves Stephen’s death. A severe persecution scatters believers across Judea and Samaria. Philip preaches Christ in Samaria, where people listen, demons flee, the sick are healed, and great joy fills the city.
John 6:35–40
Jesus declares Himself the Bread of Life. Those who come to Him will never hunger or thirst. The Father gives people to the Son, and Jesus promises to lose none of them but raise them up on the last day. Eternal life belongs to those who see and believe.
Matthew 7:23
Jesus warns that not all religious activity equals discipleship: “I never knew you; depart from me.” The issue is not performance but relationship.
Matthew 28:19
The risen Christ sends His disciples to make disciples of all nations.
Message: As we move toward Pentecost, Scripture keeps pressing the same question: What does God require of those He calls? The answer is not complicated, but it is costly. Jesus reduces it to one thing: believe in the One the Father has sent. But even this belief is impossible without God’s own work in us. And sometimes it calls out to us to dig a little deeper into the words of Greek and Hebrew for our language of English sometimes does not bring the clarity we need. We need to begin to think differently. And no, I am not a Greek or Hebrew scholar but am convinced it would be wise to “Know” more. This is where the biblical words for “know” become a window into the gospel. Just as we can love in different ways we can know in different ways.
Hebrew: yadaʿ
In Genesis, yadaʿ means intimate, covenantal knowing—Adam “knew” Eve, and life was conceived. When God “knows” His people, He chooses and loves them.
Greek: ginōskō
In Matthew 7:23, Jesus says, “I never knew you.” This is not about information; it is about relationship. “You did things for Me, but you were never with Me.”
Greek: epiginōskō
In Matthew 14:35, the crowds “recognized” Jesus. This is knowing that leads to response—running toward Him, bringing others, seeking His healing.
Greek: oida
In Matthew 25:12, the bridegroom says, “I do not know you.” This is covenantal recognition—“You are not Mine.” Together they teach us: To be known by Jesus is to belong to Him, to recognize Him, and to respond to Him. This is what we see in Acts 8. Philip knows Christ, and so he acts. He steps into adversity with joy. He proclaims Christ in unfamiliar places. He embodies the character of Jesus in the work of making disciples. And Saul—who does not yet know Christ—will soon be known by Him, claimed by Him, and transformed into a vessel of grace.
And So, What Does This Mean for Us? We cannot have selective participation in the life of the Spirit. We cannot cling to comfort and expect transformation. We cannot give what we do not possess. But when we believe—when we are known by Christ and recognize Him—joy breaks into our adversity, and mission becomes our identity. Only Jesus’ love satisfies. Only His Spirit empowers. Only His knowing transforms.
Pray we are claimed by God and filled with the Spirit’s power. Pray we recognize Jesus and respond to Him with trust and obedience. Pray we do not place the natural above the divine. Pray we listen without selective hearing. Pray we make ourselves available for God’s purposes. Pray we remember that nothing is too small for God to make great. Pray we share Christ because we belong to Christ. Pray we believe, love, and live in the Spirit of Jesus. Pray we apply His character as we make disciples.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 