Opening: Have you ever been the bearer of good news? The
birth of a baby? A promotion or new job? An “A” in that really hard class? What
is it like to share good news? What are your feelings and motivations for
sharing it? How do you feel when people respond positively to your good news?
Scripture: Read Acts 8:4-25.
Insights:
- Philip is often called “Philip the Evangelism” to try to illuminate confusion. Like Stephen, Philip was one of the Seven (see Acts 6:1-6), not the Philip who was one of the original twelve disciples. We don’t know the circumstances of his conversion, but he was an administrator of the food distribution, well respected and full of the Spirit and wisdom (see Acts 6:3). After the events in today and Sunday’s passages, we do not hear about Philip for 20 years. Then we find he lives in Caesarea and has four daughters who were preachers (see Acts21:9). After the fall of Jerusalem, many Christians were driven out of Palestine, and among them Philip and his daughters. One tradition connects Philip with Hierapolis in Asia, but in all probability the evangelist is confused with the apostle. Another tradition represents them as dwelling at Tralles, Philip being the first bishop of the Christian community.
- Samaria is the former capital of the Kingdom of Israel, who separated from the Kingdom of Judah after Solomon’s death. It had a history of evil kings who led the people to idol worship. In 722 BC, the Kingdom of Israel was defeated by the Assyrians and deported throughout the nations.
- Samaritans were looked down upon by Jews. The Samaritans were half-breeds – their parentage was not completely Jewish. This prejudice was so great that upstanding Jews wishing to travel between Galilee and Judea would go the long way around Samaria instead of taking the shortest route through.
- The people of Samaria were captivated by Philip’s message and the miracles he did. Many were converted and baptized. Peter and John were sent to verify these conversions were authentic and to pray for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit came, it was a sign that proved that the message of Jesus was to go out to all people, not just the Jews.
Life Questions:
- Sometimes discerning the will of God is difficult. We pray about it, ask others’ counsel and prayer, and read Scripture. But sometimes, a sign is what we need, what we want, and what God gives. However, we must be careful to look for signs that are really not there. For example, praying “God, if you want me to do so and so, let the sun come up today.” Well, God is going to answer that prayer, but it may not be a sign. What are you praying about right now in your search for the will of God?
Prayer Focus: That we look through any troubles and
persecution to what God can do through it.
