1. Stephen's powerful sermon set off a flurry of persecution.

2. Saul’s zeal was unleashed on the church.

3. This persecution brought about the fulfillment of the promise and command given to the disciples.

1. Philip was one of the Hellenistic Jews who was appointed to wait on tables. He was recognized as full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.

2. Philip left Jerusalem and began preaching in Samaria.

3. Simon the Sorcerer became one of the followers.

4. Peter and John were sent from Jerusalem to Samaria when they heard that the message was catching fire.

5. Simon’s “faith” was exposed.

1. An angel of the Lord directed his steps.

2. Philip obeyed and encountered the treasurer of Ethiopia under the queen. He was wealthy. He had traveled over 1600 miles in a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

3. The Holy Spirit directed Philip to walk along beside the carriage.

4. The Eunuch was reading the passage from Isaiah 53.

5. Philip shared Scripture with him and then baptized him. The Eunuch was the first gentile Christian.

6. Philip then was “snatched” away and went to Azotus to preach and finally settled in Caesarea. In Caesarea, he met with Saul/Paul and had 4 daughters with a gift of prophecy. He was known as Philip the Evangelist.

1. Stephen:
It is very clear that Stephen’s fiery sermon was the trigger for bringing the wrath of the Sanhedrin and resultant persecution. Stephen, however, was not blamed or berated for his message; rather, he was honored. Instantly, persecution was experienced but it became the fulfillment of Jesus’ command. It was the key that forced the spreading of the gospel.

2. Simon:
Simon was enamored with what he saw on the surface as the signs and wonders. Simon could do a little of his own magic…but this “magic” was even better. He was immediately drawn to it and believed with an expectation that he could do even more than he had done before. The deeper level of loving God and following God for more than the “fishes and loaves” was just not present.

3. Eunuch: The Eunuch was definitely a seeker! He traveled over 1600 miles to find spiritual answers. He expended great money in purchasing a scroll to read the Scriptures and the carriage for his trip. He was hungry for truth. His immediate response when he saw water was, “Why can’t I be baptized?” He wanted nothing to stand in the way of his coming to a full understanding of faith. It is not known for sure, but it is believed that he became an evangelist to Ethiopia.

4. Philip:
Philip left Jerusalem and his job at the church, waiting on tables, to go and share the message in Samaria and wherever God led. It is true, all the leaders, except the apostles, left when the persecution began, but persecution became the impetus to moving outside of the city. Philip listened to the Spirit guiding him and God blessed his ministry. He was sensitive to following the Spirit’s lead and went, even when he didn’t know the next step he was taking!