Philip the Evangelist, Acts 8

 

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In response to the preaching of the apostles, the Lord added daily to the Church.

Then, when the people got involved with the work of the ministry, the growth of the Church escalated exponentially, from addition to multiplication.

As the Church grew, the evil against her escalated too.

At first, they arrested Peter and John and let them go with a warning to speak no more about, this Jesus. Then they arrested the apostles, and let them go with a warning in the form of a beating.

They drew first blood.

With the taste of blood still on their lips, they expanded their persecution from the apostles to those who followed their teachings of this Jesus.

Which, led to the first Church martyr, Stephen. At first glance a simple servant waiting tables, but a closer look revealed a powerful minister serving the Almighty; Superhero Stephen.

 

Acts 8:1

Now Saul was consenting to his death.

Saul was standing on the sidelines, nodding his head, cheering them on, watching their coats, as they rolled up their sleeves and stoned Stephen to death.

Saul might not have gotten his hands dirty by picking up a stone, but he was just as guilty and more; he was covered in the blood of many a martyr.

Yet, after an encounter with Jesus, Saul will be changed, and we’ll come to know him as Paul the apostle, author of much of the New Testament.   

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

The stoning of Superhero Stephen, seems to have ignited great persecution against the Church.

2 Timothy 3:12; All who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

But don’t think for a moment that the world is winning—they are playing right into God’s Divine Eternal Plan.

Not His will, but His plan.

Compare Acts 8:1 with Acts 1:8.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

What they meant for evil, God uses for Good.

The plan of God was for them to expand from Jerusalem, to Judea, then Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Had it not been for persecution, they might’ve just stayed cozy and comfy at home in their jammies, in Jerusalem. No need to go, I’ll just stay home and watch online. I’ll share some Jesus posts to fulfill my missionary duties. That's a cop-out.

Not so long ago a great persecution against Christians broke out in China. The Church went underground and scattered. At the time it was estimated there were less than a million Christians in all of China; which had a population of over a billion.

After the persecution subsided, did the Church survive?

Yes, 100 times yes, reportedly the Christians in China had grown up to 100 million.

Many in America are praying for revival, a great awakening.

Will it only come in the heat of great persecution? Great Tribulation?

 ² And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

A great lamentation, a great mourning.

We weep because we weren’t created for goodbyes, and sorrow like this.

But we don’t sorrow like those who have no hope. We weep with Easter, in our tears. Hope in our sorrow; knowing that we will see again, our loved ones who die in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18;
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

 

³ As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Wreaking havoc, ravaging, like a bull through a village, house to house, dragging off men and women to prison, just because of their belief in Jesus.  

And he thought he was doing God’s service.

Just as Jesus told them would happen. John 16:2.

⁴ Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

The persecution scattered them like seed, planting the Seed, the Word of God, everywhere.

 ⁵ Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.

Geographically he was headed north, so we’d say he headed up to Samaria. But topographically he was headed down.

For the Jews, both literally and Spiritually, no matter which direction you come from, if you’re headed to Jerusalem (the city on a hill), you’re always going up.

If leaving, you’re always going down.

Philip, went to the least likely, the despised and hated, Samaritans.

 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.

The people were in one accord, the perfect prerequisite for the pouring out of the Presence and Power of the Lord.

Additionally, they heeded. They paid close attention, gave their undivided attention. Hearing God’s Word, was top priority.

And the supernatural result of that is, great joy.

The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17

It’s not about food and drink and clothes and cars and places, but His Peace and His joy, provided by His Presence, His Holy Spirit.

⁹ But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, ¹⁰ to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” ¹¹ And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. 

But, introduces a contrast, things are about to go south from Godly Philip and joyful city, to this certain man called Simon.

Matthew 24:24; For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

The deceived people called him “the power of God” which is a Messianic title.

Church history calls him Simon Magus (magician); he practiced witchcraft, with satanic power and was considered to be a god. Was known all the way to Rome.

Some claim that Simon developed Gnosticism; which was perhaps the most dangerous heresy against the early Church. They follow gnostic gospels which contradict the Word of God. They believe they earn salvation by obtaining a higher level of existence and knowledge; placing them in a privileged class. They say there’s no sin in the body, no matter what you do, because the spirit is all that matters.  

¹² But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

They heard the Word of God, and it rang True.

We are created in the image of God. He’s our Father, so when we hear His Word, down inside we know it’s True. Then, we must choose to pay attention, listen, heed, His Voice.

And the Truth, will set you free… if you let Him.  

 ¹³ Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

Notice Simon is mentioned separately from the people.

Notice he was amazed seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

The people heard and believed.

Simon saw the miracles and was amazed.

Some follow the miracles of God. Others follow the God of miracles.

¹⁴ Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

How could Simon see the Holy Spirit was given by the laying on of hands?

Tongues of fire sitting on each of them like the first time the Holy Spirit was given in Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost?

Unlikely, that was a unique appearance, never again recorded in the Bible.

But something happened, that showed Simon that the people received the Holy Spirit. Something so dramatic, and apparently so simple and evident and instantaneous, that when he saw it, he thought he could do it too, like one of his incantations of sorcery.

To him it was a magic trick.

He had no idea this was the Love and Character and Providence of God, putting on skin once again, by entering the soul of man. Just to be, Emmanuel; God with us.

Jesus said He would not leave us orphans but would send His Holy Spirit to be with us and in us. John 14:16-18.

So, of all those Holy Spirit attributes, what could be so dramatic and instantaneously evident upon the laying on of hands?

Tongues?

Probably. What Simon saw was probably people speaking in tongues after they were prayed for.   

²⁰ But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!

Philips translation interprets this verse with these words: “to hell with you and your money”. Peter wasn’t exactly happy with Mr. Simon.

Simon’s actions coined the word, simony; meaning the buying of position or power in the church.

 ²¹ You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. ²² Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Strong words from Peter.

Evil must be exposed and confronted; never compromised with, not one inch or one red cent.

Baseball player turned preacher, Billy Sunday, said, “Well, some folks say I rub the fur wrong way. I don’t. The cat just needs to turn around.”

Repent. Turn around.

 ²³ For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

Peter just got there. How did he see these things?

One of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Discernment. Discerning of Spirits.

²⁴ Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

Peter told him to repent, and to pray.

Here, Simon had an awesome opportunity to be like Philip, and simply honor God in the little things. 

He didn’t.

He didn't heed, Peter’s words.

Instead, he told Peter what to do.

When God gives instructions, we can obey and reap the blessing that always follows obedience and draws us closer to His Love and Light and Peace and Joy.

Anything else is disobedience, and reaps the dark, empty, harvest of drifting from Him. Drift far enough, and you’ll no longer hear Him, or feel Him, until you’re completely numb, and past the point of no return.

²⁵ So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Peter and John headed back to Jerusalem, spreading Good Seed all along the way.

Maybe they stopped by to say hi to the Samaritan woman Jesus once met at the well.

²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert.

Hey Phil, leave your awesome revival and head south 42 miles back to Jerusalem, then head southwest out of town toward Gaza, (which is about another 50 miles).

Okay, sure, after the revival cools down. I’m busy doing important ministry stuff.

When God gives instructions, we can obey… Anything else is disobedience.

 ²⁷ So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 

Amazing.

A gentile, from Ethiopia, (considered at that time to be the uttermost parts of the earth).

The plan of God is working out exactly as He said.

This man is reading from the scroll of Isaiah.

Amazing.

Scripture, back then, was in temples.

People didn’t have their own personal copies like we have Bibles in every room of the house.

Especially, not gentiles.

Unless you had money.

²⁹ Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

³⁰ So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

Philip obeyed right away, he ran.

Do you understand what you’re reading? Great question. Say that next time you see someone at the coffee shop or mall, or wherever, reading the Bible.

Might open a door.

³¹ And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 

Speaking of open doors.

³² The place in the Scripture which he read was this:

“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
³³ In His humiliation His justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is taken from the earth.”

Divine Timing. Diving Connections.

All because Philip heeded the Voice of the Lord.  

The Ethiopian just so happened to be reading Isaiah 53:7-8. The Old Testament Scripture painting a perfect prophetic picture of what just happened to Jesus; the crucifixion.  

³⁴ So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 

Philip’s thinking, thank you Jesus for a perfect set up. Even a busboy like me can answer this question. 

³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 

Jesus. He preached Jesus. It’s all about Jesus. The OT points to Jesus first coming. The NT points to His second coming.

³⁶ Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”

³⁷ Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”

And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

Believe with all your heart. Intensely, intimately.

Not just intellectually. The devil does that, and trembles. James 2:19.

Believe… So, that means a baby being sprinkled, does nothing, is not Scriptural, nor is it baptism.

Baptism, is an outward sign, of what has already taken place inside.

³⁸ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 

This was a full emersion baptism. Jews had already been doing this, representing purification from sin according to the law.

Christians, followed but representing being buried with Christ and raised with Him in the newness of Life.

³⁹ Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 

Rejoicing.

There it is again, joy. 

Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit; the second one listed, just after love. 

One of the evidences of the Presence of the Lord, is joy. 

Regardless of circumstances, even in sadness, joy remains.

The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17

⁴⁰ But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

Philip.

All of this. The signs, the wonders, the miracles, the revival. Taking God’s plan to Samaria, and then the uttermost parts of the earth (through the Ethiopian).  

All of this from some guy, who was simply willing to heed the Word of the Lord, and obey and serve.

Whether waiting tables, leading a revival, or leaving a revival to walk a desert road, or, even after being transported like Star Trek, beam me up Scotty; Philip, simply kept walking with Jesus, and talking about Jesus.

It didn’t matter if he had a name or a title, or if he was chosen to be the busboy or waiter, or janitor, or toilet bowl cleaner, he just wanted to share Jesus.

And that, is who Jesus is looking for.

Will you be a Philip? The prerequisite is simply being willing and obedient to the little things.

Many called to great things for God, never make it, because they’re not willing to do little things.

Philip was faithful to be whatever God called him to be.

It’ll take 20 years, but in Acs 21:8-9, Philip is finally called, “Philip the Evangelist”. But he actually was one, long before they ever called him one.

Follow the footsteps of Philip the faithful. Be who God’s called you to be, right here, right now, no matter how small, it’s big in God’s eyes.

Do not despise the day of small beginnings. Zechariah 4:10.

In God’s Kingdom the little things are really the big things. Jesus says, he who is faithful in little, will be ruler over much. Luke 16:10, Luke 19, Matt. 25.

Let’s pray.

Lord, help us to be found faithful in our walk, our talk, out thoughts. Help us to do little things, for You. And thereby, You make them great, for Your glory.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.