Christian Stories - Bible Study Online

Philip was one of the first seven deacons that was appointed by the early church that helped out the apostles by waiting on tables.

He was chosen along with Stephen, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas.

A short while later, we would learn about the tragic news that dealt with the death of Stephen?

The scriptures would confirm that Stephen had been stoned after he had spoken the truth about Israel's rebellion and resistance against the Almighty God at the Sanhedrin. Soon after this horrific event, the scriptures would direct our attention to the church and how it has just entered into a season of great persecution:

"On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria." (Acts 8:1)

The scriptures have informed us, that a fierce opposition had risen up against the church. This would lead to Philip and the others to be scattered abroad, so that they may avoid the opposition while spreading the gospel of Christ abroad:

"Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there." (Acts 8:4)

Because of this, we now have Philip serving in the office that dealt with evangelism. He would no longer serve the Lord in a way that dealt with waiting on tables in Jerusalem, now he would serve the Lord while preaching and saving souls in Samaria.

The scriptures would also let us know that Philip had great success with his ministry while he visited the city of Samaria. Understand that the city of Samaria was the metropolis or the main city within that country that was also called -- Samaria:

"When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8: 6-8)

Isn't it interesting, that Jesus didn't do any miracles in that city when he visited, but many still believed in him when he visited Samaria. Now we have Philip three years later, continuing the work of our Lord Jesus Christ, by casting out evil spirits, healing the sick and rescuing the afflicted.

It was for these reasons, that Philip was able to convince the people of Samaria, that he was indeed commission by the Eternal Kingdom of Heaven, through the showing of the great miracles and signs that God had done through him.

The Samaritans had received Philip's message well, and for that reason many were baptized and saved, as great joy was to be found all throughout the city.

Now this would be a proven testament to the power in which the Lord had allowed Philip to operate his ministry in. For we must know that during this time, the Samaritans had been deceived and was following a guy named -- Simon Magnus; right before Philip had arrived.

Understand that the name "Magnus" signifies -- conjurer or sorcerer. So therefore, as the name implies -- Simon Magus was known and had the reputation of being a sorcerer or conjurer. The scripture also confirms, that Simon Magnus was able to bewitch and fascinate the people in some strange kind of way, and so therefore, he had also earned the reputation of being a great deceiver:

"Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, 'This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.' They followed him because he had amazed them a long time with his magic." (Acts 8: 9-11)

Things would be different, now that the Samaritans had heard the gospel and saw the signs that proved that Philip had been commissioned by the Almighty God, when it came to bringing the message of truth before the people. As I stated earlier, the Samaritans believed and were baptized and followed the ways of the Lord Jesus Christ from this point forward:

"But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." (Acts 8:12)

To get an even further sense of how powerful of a message that Philip had brought before the people, Simon Magnus himself, had become a believer:

"Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw." (Acts 8:13)

1) <-CURRENT PAGE->

2) Peter & John and Simon Magnus the Sorcerer

3) Philip & The Ethiopian Eunuch Official