Evangelists and Apostles

Starting a New Work

The persecution of the early church while they dwelt in Jerusalem caused the disciples to scatter across the world. By this, the word of God was being spread outside of the Jewish walls now to the hearing of the Gentiles. The Samaritans were one of the first Gentile recipients of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:5-7

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

6. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

The first thing we need to do is settle the controversy as to which Philip went down to Samaria, the apostle or the deacon. To do so, we must place the above scripture back into the context of the chapter.

Acts 8:1

And Saul was consenting unto his 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.

From the first verse of the chapter we are able to see that many members of the church were scattered throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria. However, the script is very specific concerning the apostles. They did not leave Jerusalem. Therefore, it can only be concluded that the Philip who went into Samaria to preach the gospel was the evangelist who worked with Stephen on the Deacon Board. But after the death of Stephen, Philip was one of the many who fled the city and found himself in Samaria, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom.

Philip’s ministry in Samaria was that of evangelism. The ministry of evangelism is the foundational beginning of ministry in areas where Christ is first-handedly being introduced.

The same is true when the Holy Spirit is leading a ministry into new territory (territory that is new to that ministry). Philip worked many signs and wonders. However, these signs were to serve as confirmation of the word that he taught. The manifestation of the power of God was that convincing factor that compelled the witnesses to believe his doctrine.

Acts 8:12, 14-16

12. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

14. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Take note of the principle that the scripture is explaining here. We have often made the term “believer” blanketly synonymous with the term “son of God”. However, we are learning here that one can believe and receive the gospel but not yet have the Holy Spirit.

The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13) gives us insight into this operation. When the Word is sown in evangelism, it will fall upon different hearts. As we see with the thorny soil, there are some who will anon with joy at hearing the Word. However, their hearts can still be at a place of wantonness. This wantonness is the impurity that prevents them from receiving the Holy Spirit.

Likewise, there are many in our churches today that anon with joy at the preaching and teaching of the gospel. They believe the words of the Gospel and they even love attending church. They know the word they hear is God, but, the truth is, they lack the ability to walk in the Spirit, because they do not have the Spirit to begin with. This was the case with Simon the sorcerer.

Acts 8:9&13

9. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

13. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Not only did Simon believe the gospel, but he continued with the minister of the gospel. Likewise, there are those who will follow a ministry for years, and are blessed and amazed at the power of God at work, however, this does not mean they have the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:18-21

18. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19. Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.