Philip had preached the gospel in Samaria and many people had repented of their sins and believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Many were healed and delivered from unclean spirits. “There was great joy in that city.” Hearing of the great revival in Samaria, the Apostles sent Peter and John to confirm and affirm, support and strengthen, to pray for and perfect the brethren. The Apostles, Peter and John, had more to offer the new believers than what they had received through Philip, the evangelist. “They sent unto them Peter and John.”

Peter was bold, forceful, zealous and fervent; John was gentle, tender, meek and subdued, and their gifts complemented each other, so that one compensated for the defects of the other. “When they were come down (they) prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost.”

The baptism in the Holy Ghost is a definite Christian experience, distinct from the experience of salvation. Saved, healed, delivered, joyful and happy, holy and sanctified, transformed and renewed. It was still necessary for these believers to be filled, immersed, endued, empowered, baptised in the Holy Spirit. The promised baptism in the Spirit is necessary and indispensable for every believer, today.

“Simon offered them money, saying: “Give me this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.” Before the apostles came, ostensibly, “Simon believed, was baptised and continued with Philip” even though his heart was “not right in the sight of God.” He was living in “wickedness, in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.” Still at that, there is no record that he repented after Peter’s rebuke. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall,” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans as they went. “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward… And he arose and went. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” Philip’s prompt obedience is commendable and instructive. Our obedience to the heavenly vision, our commitment to the great commission, our consecration in seeking to bring sinners, the lost in trespasses and iniquity, should not be hindered or delayed by a successful pastoral ministry in the city.

Philip was led and his obedience was prompt, unwavering, wholehearted, practical and productive. One song writer captured what should be our attitude today: “Lead me to some soul today, O teach me, Lord, just what to say; Friends of mine are lost in sin, And cannot find their way. Few there are who seem to care, and few there are who pray; Melt my heart and fill my life, to win some soul today.” If we are sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit He will lead; we must respond promptly.

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.”The eunuch was reading Isaiah 53, the prophecy concerning Jesus who was to be our Sin-bearer, our Substitute and our Saviour. Philip preached clearly, convincingly and confidently; the eunuch believed, was baptised, saved and joyful, receiving the Saviour and eternal life. In the joy of salvation, the eunuch went on his way rejoicing. Caught away by the Spirit, “Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in
‘all the cities,’till he came to Caesarea,” (Acts 8:40). Success in one place must not be seen as an end in itself, but rather, as a means to more success somewhere else.

•Further reading (King James Version): Acts 8:1-40. Acts 8:1-13; 11:19-21; 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10; 2:2; Psalms 51:12,13; 68:11; John 4:28-30,39-42; Mark 16:15-20; Acts 9:32-35; 19:18-20; 2:38-42; 16:14,15,31-34. Acts 8:14-25; 11:21-24; 1 Thessalonians 3:2,10; Romans 1:7-11; Acts 19:1-7; Titus 1:5; 2 Kings 5:14-16,20-27; 2 Peter 2:15-19; 1 Timothy 6:5-11; 2 Timothy 4:10; 2 Peter 2:20-22; Hebrews 10:38,39. Acts 8:26-40; 5:19,20; 10:3-6; 11:12-14; Luke 24:44-47; Isaiah 53:3-8; John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18,19; 2:21-24; Philippians 2:5-11; Romans 10:9,10; Matthew 28:18-20.