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Godly Men of Devotion
Phillip: Faith Leads to Witnessing

Acts 8:1-8 (Monday)
“And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 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.” (NIV)
1) Oh, I know this study is about Phillip, but the life of Saul should give us all great hope! His life story (testimony) proves that no one is beyond Christ’s ability to save! There is no sin that we could ever commit that Jesus’ death and shed blood on the cross is not only sufficient, but more than abundantly able to completely and forever wash clean! Always remember, our God is a God of new beginnings---His mercies are new every morning! Of course, we later learn that Saul has a divine encounter with the risen Lord Jesus (Acts 9:1-20!) The “worse of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15), becomes the Christ-chosen apostle to the Gentiles and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Paul wrote most of the letters to the very churches who were scattered throughout the land because of his relentless persecution of Christians! Imagine, Jesus chooses to call the very pious and self-righteous Saul, who approvingly stood by encouraging the death of the first martyr of our faith, precious Stephen! God can indeed make beauty out of the ashes of our lives!
2) What is it about first blood that drives a crowd mad? No sooner than the last stone was thrown and Stephen was struck down, believers came under “great” persecution—of which the main culprit was Saul! Of course, this ill-directed hatred and desire to crush this “sect” found its root’s in the unjust persecution and death of our Savior! What did Jesus warn his disciples of in John 15:20-21? What reason did He give for our persecution? What promise?
3) According to Acts 9:1-5, who was Saul and others really persecuting? Does that help you in your suffering for Christ? Explain.
4) Let’s go back and look at the commission given to Jesus’ disciples prior to His ascension into heaven (Matthew 28:19-20). Know that God did not send this persecution—it was the dastardly handiwork of satan and godless men opposed to the gospel that brings Peace! However, what did God accomplish in allowing (God’s permissive will) this scattering of his church (Acts 11:19-26?)
5) Wow! The apostles stuck it out in Jerusalem! Why? What could have been some possible motives or reasons?
6) Oh, the sheep had indeed been scattered, but a tightly knit congregation still remained in Jerusalem. Let’s take another look at the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Who were the followers of Christ supposed to reach out to first? Now, let’s read Acts 9:20-30 and Acts 11:2-26. Man, there was a whole lot of shaking going on in Judea. Judaism was being shaken to the core—by the unexplainable, unquenchable zeal and boldness of Saul in preaching Christ dead and risen, and by devoted Jewish believers who were not ready, or perhaps even willing to call Gentiles their brethren! Still, as promised, salvation had come to the Gentiles (Hosea 2:21-23 and Romans 9:25-33), and it was rocking the worlds of a whole lot of Jews—including Peter!
7) The small remnant of believers remaining in Jerusalem experienced great triumphs and unspeakable tragedies! The church at Jerusalem sent out the very first missionaries (Acts 11:22-26), prophets were sent out from Jerusalem to Antioch with warning of famine (Acts 11:27-30), James, the brother of John became the first martyred apostle (Acts 12:1-2), and Peter was also thrown into prison Acts 12:3).
8) While Paul (Saul) was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles, his heart cried out for those of his own race who rejected Jesus as Lord. Of course this is an impossible, because each individual has to chose to make Jesus Christ Lord of their life, but what would Paul have been willing to give up in order to see them come to repentance and be saved (Romans 9:1-5?) I personally cannot even imagine such a suggestion, though I suppose for my family’s sake I might be able to find the strength—but to suffer forever—to say it is one thing, to mean it is another! So, not many of us would make that sacrifice, even if it were possible, but what are some things we can do for “the sake of our lost loved ones?”
9) What happened in Acts 9:20-30 and 13:42-52 that finally pushed Paul out into his ministry to the Gentiles? What does scripture tell us remained his usual practice during his many travels (Acts 14:1?) What does that tell you about steadfast perseverance, love and hope?
10) Okay, back to Phillip! Phillip went to the next area that Jesus wanted the gospel to be preached—Samaria! What drew their attention to what Philip had to say about Jesus? God loves His children so much and He desires that they be whole! God’s purpose in sending Jesus Christ was to deliver our souls, restore our lives, heal and mend our wounds and rebuild into His own image! Often, God sometimes chooses to physically heal our wounds—other times, our healing is spiritual in nature. We see evidence of both types of healing in scripture. We must be very careful not to fall into the trap of seeking the gift (our miracle) and not the “Giver” of gifts! This is definitely not the case here. The signs and wonders were evidence that God was with Phillip—they were given to back up the truth of the gospel that Philip preached! How do we know that to be true from this passage?
11) Well, I guess I just have to ask, do you think people are walking around demon-possessed today? How about Christians?
12) Boy, I wonder what would happen today if we all move in the full empowerment of the Holy Spirit just like the disciples! Imagine! People instantly healed, and the very demons that tormented peoples souls and destroy their lives would be gone forever! Why do you think we don’t hear of many genuine healings and deliverance today? Is God still in the miracle making business?
13) You know people often overlook God’s healing and delivering power! Sadly, like Simon, people still seek after sensationalism, rather than the quiet peace of God’s inner healing!
14) Have you ever experienced or witnessed any type of healing? Did it lead you to worship and praise, or did you experience another emotion? Please share!
Acts 8:9-17 (Tuesday)
“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 for a long time with his magic. 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. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)
1) Well, don’t think for a moment that satan doesn’t have a counterfeit for the wondrous works of our God! (I said counterfeit, not equal or opposite power—satan is all fake, fake, fake!) Simon practiced sorcery, divination or witchcraft (Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:10-12, 14, 20-22!) This is a perfect example of how miracles, signs and wonders in and of themselves have no power to change the heart of man and, by themselves, they do not and cannot lead others to God! Miracles amaze and dazzle, but they have no staying power! What did these people do when Philip preached the “Good News?”
2) Simon sought after self-glorification! Who was he emulating (Isaiah 14:12-14?)
3) Simon, the witch, lost his appeal because now the men and women of Samaria had been filled with God’s Holy Spirit—no competition! Simon was out of business because now God dwelt in each of them! They had continual access to the One True Living God! Talk about power—the same Holy Spirit power that was so evident in the life of Philip!
Acts 8:18-25 (Wednesday)
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me." When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages." (NIV)
1) What was Simon’s motive in asking for the ability to give the Holy Spirit?
2) Verse 13 tells us something very important had taken place prior to his asking for this power that can only come from God—what was it?
3) After seeing the truly awesome power of God, Simon followed Philip everywhere! Watching, always watching! What do you think may have been his thoughts as he saw one miracle after another miracle bring glory to God the Father through the very name of His Son, Jesus Christ?
4) Oh, my goodness! It’s scary that we live in a world where this still goes on! You only have to turn on the television and/or radio to see gross misuse of God’s word by so-called ministers for the sole purpose of misleading the masses in order to obtain ill-gotten gain! What other evidences have you seen or experienced?
5) Peter told Simon he was full of bitterness and captive to sin! What do you think was behind his bitterness? What particular sin was he still captive to?
6) Have you ever been close to bitter person? How was the bitterness manifested in their lives? What does scripture say about allowing bitterness to take up a dwelling place in our hearts, minds and lives (Hebrews 12:15)?
7) We can’t judge if Simon was truly saved. There is some early reference that a man named Simon outwardly opposed Christianity and was himself a heretic! Whether it was this Simon or another, we should be careful that our belief is motivated by faith, reverence and love—not from any sort of personal profit, as was Simon’s. Remember, even the devils in hell believe (James 2:17-24!) Let’s make sure our actions line up with our confession of faith!
8) Why didn’t Simon ask forgiveness from God himself?
9) What motivated his fear—the desire to be right with God, or fear of damnation? Does fear ever change our hearts? Why or why not? What does 1 John 4:18 tell us?
10)
Acts 8:26-33 (Thursday)
“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. “How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” (NIV)
1) Philip was already doing a mighty work for God right there in Samaria! Why on earth would God send an angel to Philip telling him to go into the desert to meet just one man (Matthew 18:12-13?
2) Why didn’t God just have the angel explain things to this man? See Galatians 3:8, 16-19; Hebrews 1:14 and 1 Peter 1:10-12!
3) Well, I picture this chariot pulled over, off to the side, because a scroll was a long, bulky hand-written parchment. It would have been very difficult to concentrate on what you were reading otherwise. And, apparently, Philip is just walking along awaiting further direction? Well, he did have to run up to the chariot, but if it was moving at a pretty good clip, Philip would not have been able to catch up! Sound about right? What would you do if you were out in the desert and a man suddenly appeared, peering over your shoulder?
4) This man was obviously not born Jewish, still he had left his homeland to go to Jerusalem to worship. What does this tell you about the state of this man’s heart?
5) Philip saw the man, but what happened to make him approach this particular person? We are surrounded by people everyday? How do you know when an opportunity to share our faith is before us? Have you ever experienced the Spirit’s prompting? Share.
6) What ‘cha reading? Very simple, gentle, yet direct way to open the door wide open for a spiritual conversation! Why do we always think we have to mow someone over with the gospel—no wonder they run as fast as they can!
7) The man had just left the synagogue—what wasn’t he able to understand?
Acts 8: (Friday)
” The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.” (NIV)
1) Read 1 Peter 3:15. Was Peter ready, gentle and respectful? Are we?
2) Beloved, the disciples need to know what they believed (of course, they witnessed the events they preached)! Now, more than ever, we have to be prepared! How busy are you about your Father’s business?
3) Where do you think this man heard about baptisim?
4) Does baptism save? What purpose and meaning does it hold in the life of a believer?
5) Wow! I can’t wait until we can all do what Peter did—just disappear one place and suddenly appear in another! There are a couple of other instances mention in scripture that give us a glimpse of what our spiritual futures will be like (John 6:16-21 and John 20:19!) Instantaneous travel and walking through walls! What a blast!