Acts 8:6-8, “6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.”

After Stephen was martyred, Philip (also one of the original seven deacons) went to Samaria and preached God’s Word with signs following. Philip could have backed down and stopped publically preaching God’s Word after his friend was stoned, however, he did the opposite; he spread the gospel net even further to Samaria and boldly proclaimed the good news for all to hear.

Unlike in Jerusalem where they stoned Stephen, the Samaritans eagerly accepted the gospel. Luke recorded in Acts 8:8, “There was great joy in the city!” Crowds of people came to hear the preaching and they were amazed as they witnessed the power of God drive out demons and heal the lame and paralyzed.

I don’t believe it was any accident that Philip picked Samaria to be the next major place to hear the gospel after Jerusalem because he knew that Jesus said in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Therefore, the disciples started in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost and then after Stephen’s death they split between going to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1).

Philip didn’t let fear detour him from having faith in Jesus’ plan to make disciples of the nations. Because he was willing to walk by faith and preach to the Samaritans, a great revival came and many people were saved, healed and delivered.

The challenge for us today is to complete the last part of Jesus’ plan and reach “the ends of the earth!” We don’t know what will happen when we go; it could be revival or riot. Nevertheless, we should be encouraged by the faith of Philip and boldly declare God’s Word for all to hear and believe that God is able to save and deliver all who call on the name of Jesus!

Reflection

Are you willing to preach the gospel everywhere you go?

Action

  1. Ask God to fill you with the power of the Holy Spirit to be a living witness for Jesus.
  2. Make times to regularly preach the gospel publicaly.
  3. By faith, preach repentance to sinners, healing to the sick and deliverance to the oppressed! John R. Rice said, “Present-day wickedness, apostasy and modern civilization cannot prevent revival.”

One Year Reading Plan

Daniel 1:1-2:23, 1 Peter 3:8-4:6, Psalm 119:65-80, & Proverbs 28:14. Click here to read online.