Stephen's stoning had unleashed a torrent of violence against the Jewish believers in Jesus: imprisonment, torture and murder.
As a result the church was scattered, but not silenced. It was discretion, not cowardice that sent believers into Judea and Samaria.
As the pastor, Rev. Peter Richmond, continued his series on Acts on Sunday evening, he talked about Philip, whose Greek name made him more acceptable to the Samaritans, who had developed enmity with the Jews because they had mixed their religion with pagan practices. Philip, whose ministry was confirmed with miracles, met with success as Samaritans everywhere were repenting and being baptised.
Simon the sorceror was amongst those who believed in the message, but his heart was not right with God. He wanted the Holy Spirit's power to bring himself glory and even offered money for it! "He went through all the religious motions," said the pastor, "but for all the wrong reasons."
History indicates that Simon might well have moved to Rome and established a sect named after himself; a mixture of Judaism, paganism and the new teachings about Christ.
Philip's journey to the desert resulted in an encounter with a royal servant from 'Ethiopia,' which was mentioned in the Psalms and means a large territory directly south of Egypt in ancient Nubia.
Philip did not tell him about 'revival' in Samaria. Instead he joined the man on his journey. The man was reading Isaiah 53, but didn't understand what it meant. Philip told him it referred to Jesus, and very quickly the man wanted to be baptised.
This Sunday's service takes place at 6 pm on Sunday at the Avenue Centre. For more information, telephone 01646 681805 or visit the website, http://www.hesed.co.uk">www.hesed.co.uk