Jarram Barrs wrote concerning Philip in Acts 8, “Our hearts magnify the Lord’s saving work in drawing this man to himself. We do not read this story and think, ‘Wasn’t Philip a wonderful, clever, and bold evangelist!’ Rather, we praise God. This is as it ought to be whenever we hear of a believer leading someone to faith, for then, in just the same way as in this Bible story, God is bringing two people together. We need to learn to see God’s work rather than thinking how courageous, intelligent, clear-speaking, and good we are as evangelists. I am not saying the human role is unimportant, for Philip needed to be obedient to the Spirit’s call; he needed to talk to the Ethiopian and to make the Scriptures clear to him. Yet, because of the way the story is told, we know that God is the One who is most to be praised when we read of this man’s conversion. May this be our daily experience, O Lord! May we worship You!” As Michael Green said, “Every initiative in evangelism recorded in Acts is the initiative of the Spirit of God.”
Saul agreed putting Stephen to death and dragged men and women to put them to prison. A great persecution scattered the church in Jerusalem throughout Judea and Samaria, exept the apostles (Acts 8:1-3). God uses persecution to spread His people into strategic locations for the gospel.
Those who were scattered preached the word, including Philip in the city of Samaria proclaiming Christ. The multitudes with one accord gave attention when they heard and saw the signs Philip performed. He cast out unclean spirits and healed the paralyzed and lame causing much rejoicing in the city (Acts. 8:4-8). God uses gospel preaching coupled with miraculous spiritual, emotional and physical healing to get peoples’ attention.
Simon got the attention of people when he performed magic arts calling him the “Great Power of God.” They and Simon believed the good news of the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ that Philip preached before being baptized. Simon was constantly amazed with the great miracles as he continued with Philip (Acts 8:9-13). God proves that His power is superior to Satan’s.
The apostles sent Peter and John to pray for those who believed in Samaria so they could receive the Holy Spirit. Simon offered them money when he saw the Spirit bestowed through the laying of the apostles’ hands. Peter said his silver would perish with him if he did not repent of his heart filled with bitterness and the bondage of iniquity. Simon asked Peter to pray so nothing bad would come upon him (Acts 8:14-24). God demands a pure heart without selfish motives as the gospel moves in peoples’ lives.
An angel led Philip on a desert road between Jerusalem and Gaza to meet an Ethiopian eunuch who came to Jerusalem to worship. The Spirit told Philip to ask if the eunuch understood his reading from the prophet Isaiah. The eunuch said he needed a guide and invited Philip to sit in the chariot with him. The text said, “He was led as a sheep to slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, . . . For His life is removed from the earth.” The eunuch asked if it referred to the prophet or someone else. Beginning with this Scripture, Philip preached Jesus to him. After the eunuch said he believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, Philip baptized him. When they both came out of the water, the Spirit snatched Philip away to Azotus where he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea (Acts 8:25-40). The Holy Spirit guides you in making the gospel clear to those prepared by God.
Have you experienced the Holy Spirit leading you to someone so you could preach the gospel to them? Each day, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to people prepared by God and listen throughout the day for His instructions.
