Revival in Samaria

• Persecution…
  • Beginning on the DAY [ἡμέρα] when Stephen was buried…
  • A great [μέγας] PERSECUTION [διωγμός] began against the CHURCH [ἐκκλησία]
  • The RESULT was ALL [πᾶς] of the believers were SCATTERED…
  • And they went EVERYWHERE preaching the GOSPEL [εὐαγγελίζω] of Jesus [ὸν λόγον]!
• Samaria…
  • Philip went down to SAMARIA – a place where NO one else seemed to want to go…
  • Because Jesus had prepared the people [woman at the well]- John 4:7
  • And because of he showed he LOVED the people by helping them [healing]
  • There was a great REVIVAL and countless men and women were saved!
• Peter and John…
  • Word of the REVIVAL came to the APOSTLES – so they send Peter and John…
  • When they arrived – they prayed for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit…
  • Different people – using different gifts – because we are a BODY – I Corinthians 12:27
  • When SIMON the sorcerer saw this – he asked to BUY the ability to give the Holy Spirit…
  • Peter saw he was BITTER – because he no longer had POWER over the people…
  • Although SIMON had been baptized – he was NOT saved – his MOTIVE was wrong [jealousy]

• 1^st – The Desert… vs. 26-27
  • 1^st – The command… vs. 26
    • Where to go…
      • Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying: Arise and go toward the south.
      • Along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is desert!
      • An ANGEL [Ἄγγελος] from the LORD [κύριος] came and spoke to Philip…
      • He gave him a COMMAND [imperative] to get up [maybe he was sleeping]
      • He needed [imperative] to go SOUTH on the road from Jerusalem to GAZA…
      • Now there are TWO roads that lead to GAZA – the coastal route – and the DESERT route…
      • The Angel specified Philip was to take the much less used DESERT route…
      • DESERT [ἔρημος] – meaning an EMPTY place [no people]
      • This must have seemed a VERY strange command – why leave a REVIVAL to go to a DESERT!
    • Lacking details…
      • Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
      • If we are holding a flashlight – we shine it way out in front so we can see far away…
      • But the Word of God is a lamp to our feet – it ONLY shows the NEXT step…
      • Only when we take that STEP – we can then see the STEP after that…
      • If we knew exactly where what we were going [and why] – it would NOT take faith!
  • 2^nd – Obedience… vs. 27
    • No hesitation…
      • So [Philip] arose and went!
      • Philip had EVERY reason to doubt this command from the Lord [bad dream]
      • But instead – there was NO hesitation – NO question – just obedient action…
      • Just as he was told – he GOT up – and he WENT toward GAZA by the DESERT road!
      • It was on our hearts in 2011 to go visit my parents [who as far as we know were both heathy]
      • We were able to travel with them and visit all of our expended family…
      • At the end of the trip – my mom was hospitalized [cancer] – passed away three weeks later!
      • When the Lord calls to do something – do we OBEY – or do we hesitate…
      • We can always find a reason NOT to obey – we can find EXCUSES…
      • But it is ONLY when we follow the Lord that great things happen!
    • Walk by faith…
      • Phillip did NOT need to know WHY God told him to go to the dessert…
      • All he needed to know is God said GO – the Lord would take care of the rest!
      • II Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith – not by sight.”
      • If we close your eyes and let someone else guide us with their words [right – left – stop]
      • It takes a LOT of FAITH in that person to TRUST they will NOT mislead us!
      • Yet this is exactly what God asks to do – TRUST His Word [not what we see]
      • We would rather SEE where we are going – before we STEP out…
      • But God tells us to STEP out – then He will SHOW us where we are going…
      • Like Phillip we need to just TRUST what God says – then He will take care of the rest!

• 2^nd – Seeking God… vs. 27-35
  • 1^st – The Ethiopian… vs. 27-28
    • Rich Eunuch… vs. 27
      • Behold a man of Ethiopia – a eunuch of great authority.
      • Under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians – who had charge of all her treasury!
      • As Philip was going along the mostly EMPTY road…
      • He came upon a man from ETHIOPIA [Αἰθίοψ] – to have a black face…
      • He was a EUNUCH – likely meaning he was unmarried – Matthew 19:12
      • Serving [imperfect] as TREASURER over all [πᾶς] the wealth of the QUEEN [Candace is a title]
    • Seeking God … vs. 28
      • And [he] had come to Jerusalem to worship – was returning.
      • Sitting in his chariot he was reading Isaiah the prophet!
      • The EUNUCH had come [pluperfect] to Jerusalem to WORSHIP God…
      • This was NO small feat – as it mean traveling 2500 kilometers [about a two month journey]
      • Sitting in his chariot [nice car] – he was READING [imperfect] the scroll of Isaiah…
      • This meant he was a man of considerable wealth…
      • There were NO copy machines or printers – the work was done by hand [expensive]
      • So to own a copy of a book of the Bible [years wage] – meant he had MONEY!
      • He traveled thousands of kilometers – and spend a fortune just to get to know God…
      • Because the Eunuch was seeking God – God was seeking the Eunuch!
      • Many people have a halfhearted attitude when it comes to Jesus…
      • They may be willing to go to church – so long as there is NOTHING else to do…
      • Then they wonder why God does NOT speak to them when they arrive!
      • Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek Me and find Me – when you search for Me with all your heart.”
    • One man…
      • It might seem strange that God would send Philip to reach ONE man…
      • We might think it is because this RICH – POWERFUL man had great impact on his country…
      • Upon his return to Ethiopia – maybe God used him to spread the Gospel there!
      • Unfortunately there is no historical evidence to support this idea…
      • Ethiopians date the coming of Christianity to around 300 years after this!
      • We could justify Philip leaving the revival in Samaria to reach a whole nation…
      • But to leave a revival for just ONE man – that does NOT seem to make sense…
      • We look at numbers – and when NOT many people show up – we are DISCOURAGED…
      • But God does NOT care about numbers – He cares about INDIVIDUALS!
  • 2^nd – Getting answers… vs. 29-31
    • Led by the Spirit… vs. 29
      • Then the Spirit said to Philip: Go near and overtake this chariot!
      • When Philip saw the ETHIOPIAN – the SPIRIT commanded him [imperative] to go to him…
      • This is the SECOND time we see the LORD directing Philip…
      • FIRST – was an ANGEL – perhaps in a DREAM at night [get up]
      • SECOND – it was a prompt from the SPIRIT [τὸ πνεῦμα]
      • We can assume it seemed obvious – God had called Philip to go to an empty DESERT…
      • The ONE guy there – was the likely reason why he had been sent!
      • Being led by God – walking by FAITH – should be quite natural…
      • NOT that God is putting BILLBOARDS with directions in front of us…
      • But as we LISTEN to and OBEY His Word – He will direct our steps…
      • So that what we need to do – is RIGHT in front of us!
      • Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”
    • Asking questions… vs. 30
      • So Philip ran to him and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah and said:
      • Do you understand what you are reading?
      • As Philip ran up alongside the CHARIOT – he heard the EUNUCH reading Isaiah…
      • He asked him whether he UNDERSTOOD [γινώσκω] what he was READING!
      • The scene must have been somewhat surreal…
      • A stranger come running up alongside you [one might assume he was a bandit]
      • But then instead of being a ROBBER – it was a PASTOR [in the desert]!
    • Hidden truth… vs. 31
      • He said: How can I unless someone guides me?
      • How he could [δύναμαι] understand if there was [subjuntive] NO one to GUIDE him…
      • Therefore he asked Philip to come [παρακαλέω] and sit with him!
      • Have you ever accidentally got a text that was intended for someone else…
      • It made no sense to you – because it was NOT written to you!
      • The Bible is a letter written by God to His children – if a person is NOT saved…
      • Reading the Bible is like reading a text meant for someone else!
      • I Corinthians 2:14 – “People who are not Christians cannot understand… it all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand.”
    • Revealed Truth…
      • And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him!
      • Phillip understood the Word – so he was able to explain it to the Eunuch!
      • We know LOTS of people who do NOT understand the Word…
      • Which is why we need to be the ones to explain the Gospel to them…
      • Tell people about Jesus – give them the message of salvation – Romans 10:14-15
  • 3^rd – The Gospel… vs. 32-35
    • Not an accident… vs. 32-33
      • The place in the Scripture which he read was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter.
      • And as a lamb before its shearer is silent so He opened not His mouth.
      • In His humiliation His justice was taken away and who will declare His generation?
      • For His life is taken from the earth!
      • The place were the Eunuch was [imperfect] reading [quoting LXX] – Isaiah 53:7-8
      • One about one of the key FIGURES in Isaiah – the SERVANT [עֶבֶד] – Isaiah 52:13
      • Who would SUFFER – as LAMB to the slaughter – and say NOTHING…
      • He would be HUMILIATED [mocked] – treated UNJUSTLY [six trials] – then KILLED [cross]
      • And the question would be asked – WHO would [future] tell the world about him!
    • Who is this… vs. 34
      • So the eunuch answered Philip and said:
      • I ask you – of whom does the prophet say this – of himself or of some other man?
      • The EUNUCH wanted [δέομαι] to know – who was this SUFFERING servant…
      • Was it the PROPHET [Isaiah] – or was he talking about someone ELSE!
      • The Old Testament is all about Jesus – Luke 24:27
      • And this passage is one of the more amazing chapters in the Old Testament…
      • It directly predicts the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus for salvation!
      • Isaiah 53:5-6 – “He was pierced for our rebellion – crushed for our sins. All of us like sheep have strayed away… yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.”
      • When we are follow the Lord – He does all the work…
      • There is no striving – we just get to be a part of what God is doing!
    • Open up… vs. 35
      • Then Philip opened his mouth – and beginning at this Scripture – preached Jesus to him!
      • Then PHILIP opened his mouth – beginning at Isaiah 53 – he preached Jesus…
      • It is easy to miss the KEY – he was willing to OPEN [ἀνοίγω] his mouth…
      • So often we are nervous about sharing our faith with others…
      • We think we need to have ALL the answers to their questions…
      • But it is God who speaks through us the words that are needed…
      • All we need to do is be willing to OPEN our mouths – share Jesus!

• 3^rd – Defined by Jesus… vs. 36-40
  • 1^st – Baptism… vs. 36-38
    • The water… vs. 36
      • Now as they went down the road they came to some water!
      • As they continued down the road – they found WATER [likely a wadi]
      • No doubt as part of their conversation – Philip mentioned Baptism – Matthew 28:19
      • There is also a debate over HOW to baptize – sprinkle or dunk…
      • The poet Nicander [200 B.C.] wrote down a recipe for making pickles…
      • You BAPTIZE [βαπτίζω] the cucumber – and it comes out changed – a PICKLE!
      • I love the picture – when we are BAPTIZED [βαπτίζω] – we go in a SINNER…
      • But we come out something different [pickled] – we come out a SAINT!
    • The choice… vs. 36
      • The eunuch said: See here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?
      • He wanted to KNOW if he could be BAPTIZED [passive]
      • There is some debate within Christianity over WHEN someone is baptized…
      • John was NOT baptizing INFANTS – these were ADULTS!
      • BAPTISM is about CHOOSING to REPENT and letting God make us CLEAN…
      • An INFANT cannot CHOSE – therefore baptism is for those old enough to DECIDE!
    • The requirement… vs. 37
      • Then Philip said: If you believe with all your heart you may.
      • And he answered and said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God!
      • There was ONE qualification to being BAPTIZED…
      • Did the EUNUCH believe [πιστεύω] with ALL of his heart [καρδία]
      • To which he answered he believed [present] Jesus Christ is the Son of God [τὸν ὑιὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ]
      • There are TWO things required for SALVATION – Romans 10:9-10
      • We must CONFESS with our MOUTH – that Jesus is our Lord [κύριος]
      • This is the easy one – all we have to do is SAY we want to follow Jesus…
      • And we must BELIEVE [πιστεύω] in our heart God raised Him from the dead
      • This is where it gets harder – because we CANNOT see the heart…
      • But if someone does BELIEVE – then it will result in a CHANGED life [fruit] – James 2:18
    • The Picture… vs. 38
      • So he commanded the chariot to stand still. 
      • And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water – and he baptized him!
      • We are commanded as believers to be water BAPTIZED – Acts 2:38
      • But water BAPTISM does NOT save us [the thief on the cross] – Luke 23:43
      • Neither does BAPTISM make us part of a denomination…
      • BAPTISM is a picture of what happens when we BELIEVE in Jesus!
      • Romans 6:4 – “We were buried with Him through baptism into death – that just as Christ was raised from the dead… even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
      • Water baptism is the OUTWARD statement of what takes place WITHIN us…
      • We are BURIED with Jesus – taken under the water – a picture of our DEATH…
      • We are RAISED up with Jesus – taken out of the water – a picture of new LIFE…
      • We do it publicly so that everyone can see – we BELIEVE in Jesus – Romans 10:10
  • 2^nd – Raptured… vs. 39
    • Glory to God…
      • Now when they came up out of the water.
      • The Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away so that the eunuch saw him no more!
      • But [δέ] as they came up out of the water – the SPIRIT of the Lord [κύριος] CAUGHT Philip…
      • CAUGHT [ἁρπάζω] – the same word translated as RAPTURE – I Thessalonians 4:17
      • And the EUNUCH never saw Philip again…
      • No doubt he assumed the stranger – who met him in the DESERT…
      • Just in time to explain to explain the WORD to him – and BAPTIZE him in the name of Jesus…
      • Must have seemed like an ANGEL [Ἄγγελος] – a messenger from God!
    • Rejoicing…
      • He went on his way rejoicing!
      • A man who had come SEEKING God – found Jesus…
      • Not in the spender of the SECOND temple in Jerusalem [he left that empty]
      • Not from the educated and pius PRIESTS [they had no answers]
      • But from a random man wandering the DESERT – who explained the WORD to Him…
      • Whom God RAPTURED away – confirming the message was from God!
      • People do NOT need to come to CHURCH to hear about Jesus – they do NOT need PASTOR…
      • God sends us out into the STREETS – to give the message to them…
      • We tell people we may NEVER even see again – at least on this side of heaven…
      • Because it is NOT about the MESSENGER – it is about the GOSPEL that saves – Romans 1:16
  • 3^rd – Definition… vs. 40
    • Many roles…
      • But Philip was found at Azotus. 
      • And passing through he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea!
      • After Philip got RAPTURED – he popped up again in AZOTUS [Ashdod] – 30km away…
      • Preaching the Gospel in all the cities along the coast all the way to Caesarea…
      • Philip was faithful as a SERVANT – faithful in the little things – Acts 6:5
      • Philip was faithful to share the Gospel with Samaria – reaching many – Acts 8:6
      • Philip was faithful to reach out the Ethiopian – reaching one – Acts 8:27
      • Philip ended up in Caesarea and raised FOUR Godly daughters – Acts 21:8-9
    • Defined by Jesus…
      • Philip never got stuck in ONE role – he was open to how God wanted to use him…
      • Serving tables – revival in Samaria – reaching the one – father!
      • Maybe we are convinced that we are called to a specific career…
      • And we get comfortable with our definition – and refuse to be open to anything new!
      • It is so important that we only let ourselves be defined by Jesus…

• We need to not be so focused on where we are going – or what we are doing…
• Our identity is not in what we are doing – what our job is – where we live…
• Our identity is simply in Christ – and we need to flexible in what He wants us to do…
• The only constant in life is change – the only guarantee – Jesus!