This week’s Pastor to Person is written by Pastor Caleb Beller.
[Act 8:5 NIV] 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there.
“Saul” was on a rampage seeking to destroy the Church and Christians (Acts 8:3). Phillip turned this opposition into an opportunity. When Jesus gave his final instructions to his disciples, He told them to go from Jerusalem to Judea then to Samaria and even the uttermost (Acts 1:8)
Philip is one of the unsung heroes of Acts. Through his ministry we have great example for sharing the gospel.
First Philip is willing to go to one of the most hated communities and preach the good news to them. This is the greatest fulfillment of Jesus teaching to love our enemies. The gospel teaches us at the basic level we are all sinners in need of a savior. Philips obedience and their acceptance begins a paradigm shift in the book of Acts.
Next, we see not just the Samaritans but Simon the Sorcerer (:9) is responding to the gospel. Again, we see the lengths Philip is willing to go with the truth of the gospel. The battle for Simon’s soul continues over the next few verses (9-25) but the truth remains that Philip did not shy away from sharing the truth with Simon.
Last, we see Philip sharing with an Ethiopian eunuch (26-40). Here we see the Spirit led Philip to meet with one stranger who was longing to understand more about the Messiah.
As we navigate this Easter celebrating the victory of what Jesus did on the cross for us, let us not forget the broken and dying world around us. Let us have eyes like Philip that see past the anger, confusion, repulsion, & fear and see people that Jesus died for, that need to know the truth.
– Pastor Caleb