Philip Went Down to Samaria - Acts 8:5

The physician Luke wrote how Saul was consenting to Stephen's death, “and at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word”, and in chapter eight and verse five of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria” where we read:

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

The verse begins, “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, ...” Luke began with the words, “then Philip” which means “at that time Philip whose name means lover of horses and was an apostle of Jesus” “went down to the city” or “departed toward the dwelling place, habitation, town and village” “of Samaria” which refers to “Samaria whose name means guardianship and was a territory in Palestine which had Samaria as its capital”. Luke shared how one of Jesus' apostles named “Philip” traveled to the region known as “Samaria”.

The verse continues, “... and preached Christ unto them.” Luke added the words, “and preached Christ” which means “and heralded, proclaimed and openly published concerning the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “unto them” or “to the people of Samaria”. Luke shared how “Philip” proclaimed the “gospel” of Jesus Christ to the people in “Samaria”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we discover how “Philip” left the other apostles of Jesus who remained in Jerusalem and began to share the “gospel” with the people in “Samaria”. Jesus previously spoke to some people in “Samaria”, (See John 4) but “Philip's” effort was subsequent to the teaching of Jesus. God's “good news” was spreading, and “Philip” became the agent and evangelist through which the people of “Samaria” were offered forgiveness of their sins and everlasting life with God. God loves people throughout the world, and anyone, regardless of where they live, may submit themselves to Jesus and be granted eternal life with Him.

Next time Luke shares how, “the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".