[:en]The Church Persecuted and Scattered (vs. 1-3)
A great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem. The believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church and drag off men and women and put them in prison.
Philip in Samaria (vs. 4-8)
Israel was divided into three main regions: Galilee in the north, Samaria in the middle and Judea in the south. Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel before it was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. During that time, the Assyrians took many captors mostly the poorest people in the land and resettled them with foreigners. These foreigners intermarried with the Jews who were left and the mixed race became known as the Samaritans. The Samaritans were considered half-breed by the “pure” Jews in the southern kingdom of Judea, so there was intense hatred between the two groups. But Jesus himself went to Samaria and commanded His followers to spread the Good News there.
Philip was one of the 7 men chosen to help with the food distribution program in the church. He went to a city at Samaria and proclaimed Christ. He healed the paralytics and crippled. Shrieks and evil spirit s came out of many and there was great joy in the city.
Simon the Sorcerer (vs. 9-25)
In the days of the early church, sorcerers and magicians worked wonders and performed healings and exorcion and practised astrology. The sorcerers may have been empowered by Satan. A man named Simon had practised socery and amazed the people in the city of Samaria. People followed him because of his Great Magic Power. When Philip preached the good news of Jesus, many believed and were baptized. Simon also believed and followed Philip.
Peter and John came and prayed for the believers in Samaria and they received the Holy Spirit. In his desire to have the ability to lay hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit, Simon offered the apostles money. Peter rebuked him for trying to buy the gift of God with money. He told him to repent and ask forgiveness which he did.
Philip and the Ethiopia (vs. 26-40)
The angel of the Lord told Philip to go from Jerusalem to Gaza. While on his way, he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace – queen of Ethiopia. He was reading the book of Isaiah in the chariot. Philip ran up to this chariot and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along, the eunuch saw some water and asked Philip to baptize him. When they came out of the water the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away. Philip appeared at Azotus preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
Reflection:
- The early Christians encountered persecutions because of their faith in Christ. Are you ready to stand up for Jesus?
- Demons are powerful, real and active. Although Satan is allowed to work in our world, but God is still in complete control. He can drive out demons and end their destructive work in people’s lives. If you trust in Jesus, He will keep you safe.
- Simon thought that he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit with money. The only way to receive God’s power is to repent, ask for forgiveness and receive Jesus as your Savior. The Holy Spirit will dwell in your heart with power to resist temptations.
- Philip followed God’s leading and met the eunuch. The eunuch was convinced of the prophesies found in Isaiah. So Philip explained to him how Jesus Christ had fulfilled Isaiah prophecies. When we share the gospel, start where the other person’s concern are found. Then, you can bring the good news to address their concerns.
- The eunuch asked Philip to explain the passage that he did not understand. If you do not understand the Bible, be humble to ask someone to help.
- Philip led the eunuch to Christ by using the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. Do not think that the Old Testament is not relevant today. Both the Old Testament and New Testament are God’s word which are applicable to all people in all ages.
- Baptism is important because it is a sign of identification with Christ and with the Christian community. Eunuch asked to be baptized by Philip. Jesus Himself, was baptized by John the baptist. How about you? Are you baptized?
- Philip was brought farther north at the city of Azotus. He begun the conversion of the Gentiles and was continued by Paul across the entire Roman Empire. Let us follow Christ commission “to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Mat. 28:19-20)
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