Good morning. It being Thursday, I am using my thought for today to focus on a Biblical character. Today, I would like for us to consider one of God’s great servants in the early church by the name of Phillip. We read of him in Acts chapter 8.
To begin, let’s consider the context. The church (Christ’s Body made up of His disciples and several thousand very new believers) had gotten off to a remarkable beginning. From Acts chapter 2 we read of the message, the unity, the power, the love, and the growth of the Lord’s Body during the time immediately following Peter’s first sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Yes, Satan wasn’t taking defeat well and was attacking the church from within (Acts 5), but the church was flourishing. Satan determined that something far more dramatic would be required, so he assaulted the church head on with incredible persecution. We read in Acts 7 of the martyrdom of Stephen and that Saul (who would become the apostle Paul) was at the heart of that attack. As chapter 8 begins we read that Saul’s attack on the church had become a “great persecution” and the church was suffering under this direct assault. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of Christian families were dragged from their homes and thrown into prison because of their faith in Christ. A great many other Christian families ran for their lives.
If we use our imagination, it isn’t hard to see Satan smiling with glee as Christian people suffer. Surely, these Christians would abandon their new faith in Christ rather than continue to suffer? No, and talk about a plan backfiring, rather than quit their faith and deny the Savior, Christian people kept their faith as they were “dispersed.” This means that they left the confines of Jerusalem and sought safety throughout Judea and Samaria. Rather than stamping out Christianity, the enemy spread it like a wildfire because wherever these new Christian went they shared the Good News of Jesus!
One of those servants of Jesus who left Jerusalem was Phillip. Phillip carried the message of Christ into the heart of Samaria. Samaria was the region that had been known as “the Northern Kingdom” back when Israel and Judah divided. By the time of Phillip, they were of mixed ancestry and mixed faith. Their ancient background was that of being Israelites, so they practiced a form of Judaism. Their faith ceremonies were not in keeping with Mosaic Law, however, so the Samaritans were despised by the Jews. They had enough of the Jewish historical arrogance that they were also despised by the non-Jewish peoples around them. In short, no one liked the Samaritans, and their religious practices were considered an abomination by the Jews. This meant that they were absolutely ready to hear the Good News of Jesus. Phillip shared with them that salvation through Christ Jesus was available to all, irrespective of who they were and what they had been. To a people who were long scorned this was wonderful news!
Phillip the evangelist is not to be confused with Phillip the apostle. Phillip the evangelist was one of the initial seven deacons appointed to care for the physical needs of Christians in the beginning of the church (Acts 6). We read of him again in Acts 21:8-9, where “Phillip the evangelist” is his name and his title. We read this in Acts 8.4-8: Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.Philip went down to the main city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.So there was much joy in that city.
Notice that it says that crowds came to hear him and that they listened intently to him. When they saw what God was doing through His faithful servant Phillip, they received the Good News with “much joy.”
Satan wasn’t giving up. He tried to divide the new believers from within by using a new convert of local notoriety who was known as Simon the Sorcerer. Simon sought to buy the power of the Holy Spirit and was immediately rebuked.
As for Phillip, his work as only beginning. We next read of his interaction with the Ethiopian eunuch. An angel of the Lord sets Phillip in motion for this work, and Phillip does not fail. Phillip challenges the Ethiopian, who was reading from God’s Word at a place in Isaiah that speaks of the Messiah, but not understanding what it meant. Phillip uses that opportunity to share the Good news with him. Hearing the truth of Jesus brings him great joy and immediately after hearing he asked to be baptized. Phillip baptizes the Ethiopian and is immediately taken away by the Spirit of God. The scripture continues to tell us that Phillip preaches the Good News from town to town until the Lord settles him in Caesarea, where he becomes known as Phillip the evangelist.
So, that is the story of Phillip, but what do we learn? God uses this man’s passion in faith to share the truth of His plan for our salvation. We do not know if Phillip was educated, or if his background was anything special. What we do know is that he had given his life to Christ and was willing to be used by the Lord to share His glory in any way the Holy Spirit of God would choose.
The places, people, or situation never mattered to Phillip. In every case he focuses on telling people about Jesus. There is a wonderful and challenging example there for us. We don’t know who God is going to bring into our lives on any given day, but if we are enthused with a joy in the Lord, we will always be blessed as we share it!
God bless your message and your joy.
Vern