29/07/2025
PHILIP THE EVANGELIST
Philip was a respected and faithful man who was one of the seven helpers first appointed in a congregation of disciples of Jesus. The church first began in Jerusalem among the Jews, but following the Stoning of Stephen, a great persecution rose up against the followers of Jesus, and they left Jerusalem in large numbers. Followers of Jesus, like Philip, began teaching people about Jesus wherever they went. This meant the good news of King Jesus spread out from Jerusalem to a wider and wider circle of people. Philip’s first stop was Samaria, where he taught many, including Simon the Sorcerer.
Acts 8:1-10 KJV
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. [2] And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. [3] As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. [4] Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. [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. [8] And there was great joy in that city. [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: [10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
