Philip: Consistency      Acts 8:4-13, 29-31, 35-38      June 22, 2008

Introduction
Please note Philip served as a layman. He is an exciting example to all. You and I can be like him.

1. Philip: Consistent In Proclaiming Even In New . . Circumstances. 8:4-8

A. Philip: Consistent In The Circumstances Of . . Scattering. 8:4-5
4 So those who were scattered went on their way proclaiming the message of good news. 5 Philip went
down to a city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to them.

B. Philip: Consistent In The Circumstances Of . . Signs and Wonders. 8:6-8
6 The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was
performing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and
many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

        When the persecutions in Jerusalem scattered believers. It is interesting to note that the apostles stayed in Jerusalem. The proclamations talked about in our text were by Philip and other layman. He remained consistent through this time of persecution and gladly went to another location to proclaim the Messiah. An outpouring of signs and wonders accompanied the proclamation by Him. He took this miraculous working of the Spirit in stride; he was filled with the Spirit and knew this was the work of God.

2. Philip Consistent In Proclaiming Even In New . . Confrontations. 8:9-13

A. Philip Consistent In The Confrontations Of . . Satanic Activities. 8:9-11
9 A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and astounded the Samaritan
people, while claiming to be somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to
the greatest, and they said, "This man is called the Great Power of God!" 11 They were attentive to him
because he had astounded them with his sorceries for a long time.

B. Philip Consistent In The Confrontations Of . . Simon's Astonishment. 8:12-13
12 But when they believed Philip, as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he went around constantly with Philip and was astounded as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed.

        Simon practiced sorcery that astounded the people. God's work later astounds Simon. We have so called, "miracle workers," today and they influence many people. We, like Philip need not be disturbed by them, but simply proclaim Jesus. Simon's astonishment led him to make a profession of faith followed by baptism. Was he saved? The evidence indicates he never really made a commitment to the Lord. Later in verse 22 Simon Peter tells him to repent. Do some people make professions for selfish reasons rather than a real commitment to Christ? Look at our church rolls and we must say Yes!

3. Philip Consistent In Proclaiming Even In A New . . Commission. 8:29-31

A. Philip Consistent In A New Commission Of . . Influence. 8:29-30a
29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go and join that chariot." 30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading
the prophet Isaiah, and said,

B. Philip Consistent In A New Commission Of . . Involvement. 8:30b-31
"Do you understand what you're reading?" 31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone guides me?" So
he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

        Philip, a layman, received a commissioning order to go out on a desert road. He did, and immediately receives an opportunity from the Spirit to witness. He is willing to get involved. Do you think he told the Spirit he did not know the man, and he couldn't witness to a stranger? Or maybe, that man obviously has more education and refinement than he did. Consistent Philip got involved. What a coincidence that the man was reading a portion of scripture. Did the Spirit know this? I am being fallacious! Many times we fail to act when the Spirit makes a person ready for a witness. This man simply needed someone to open the scripture to him. A few years ago I witnessed to a man and asked him, "what holds you back," he said, "I guess I need someone to guide me." I asked if I could share and he received Christ in about 10 minutes.

4. Philip Consistent In Proclaiming Even In New . . Conditions. 8:35-38

A. Philip Consistent In New Conditions And Their . . Opportunities From God. 8:35-37
35 So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture. 36 As
they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, "Look, there's water! What
would keep me from being baptized?" [37 And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart you may."
And he replied, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."]

B. Philip Consistent In New Conditions And Their . . Orders From God. 8:38
38 Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. HCSB

        Regardless of the number of times you share the gospel it will amaze you how the Lord makes some so easy to help. Philip acted on the opportunity and led this man to faith, and he actually affects a nation through this man's witness. He baptized him to start a church down in Ethiopia and the evidence later indicates he did that.  You are baptized into a church or to start a new one. Someone has to be the first to be baptized; and the eunuch was eager. Philip was consistent! Amen? Amen!