The Mission of Philip the Evangelist

Reading Portion

Acts 6:3-6; 8:4-17,26-40; 21:8,9

Lesson Content

1. Philip, like Stephen was one of the seven men chosen, by the Church in the first century, for serving tables (Acts 6:3,5,6).

2. His house was in Caesarea. He had four daughters (Acts 21:8,9).

3. He was one of those who were scattered from Jerusalem during the persecution against the Church. He went down to the city of Samaria and preache d Christ to them (Acts 8:4,5).

4. Miracles were wrought, unclean spirits in many were cast out and the sick were healed (Acts 8:6,7).

5. Men and women believed and were baptized — Simon, the sorcerer also believed and was baptized (Acts 8:9-13).

6. Peter and John were sent to Samaria by the apostles. There when they prayed for those who were baptized that they might receive the Holy Ghost and laid hands on them, they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:14-17).

7. The angel of God and the Spirit of God spoke to Philip — The Ethiopian minister’s conversion and water baptism (Acts 8:26-38).

8. Philip caught away by the Spirit of the Lord (Acts 8:39).

9. Later he was found in Azotus — and he preached in all the cities from Azotus to Caesaria (Acts 8:40).

Moral

Though Philip was one among those scattered during the persecution against the Church, he preached the gospel wherever he went. Since he ministered obeying the voice of the Spirit of the Lord, he was able to lead the Ethiopian minister to this great salvation. With the spirit of evangelism in us, if we too obey the Lord and serve Him, He will take us in His hands and use us.