Acts 8:5-40

*Where did Philip go in Acts 8?

5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 
26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from
Jerusalem to Gaza.” 
40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. 
*Why did he go to these places?
*It was God’s will, because of persecution the believers were scattered. Vv.1-2
1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.
Persecution Scatters the Believers A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the
church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions
of Judea and Samaria. 
2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 

“HE was led by the Holy Spirit.” V.29

29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” 

5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 
27 So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under
the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he
was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet
Isaiah. 36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s
some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” 37 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went
down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the
Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way
rejoicing. 
40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good
News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.

*Who did Philip minister to?

“Philip minister to every people, even to Gentiles.”

*What challenges did he face?

a. Persecution vv.1-2
b. Scattered vv.1-2
c. People vv9-10

*What can I learn from Philip?

a. I learned to be always sensitive to the Holy Spirit. V29
b. Not to be afraid, and trust the Lord wherever He leads me.

Acts 9:1-30
*Who is SAUL/PAUL?
“Paul was a persecutor.”
9 Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s
followers.[a] So he went to the high priest. 
*What was his mission in heading to Damascus?
2 
He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in
the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men
and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.

*Who did he meet in Damascus?

3 
As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down
around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you
persecuting me?”5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one
you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

*Why was the encounter difficult for both parties?

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*From what you know of Paul, why do you think God chose him (v15)?
15 
But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles
and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must
suffer for my name’s sake.”

*What lesson did I learn from this message?

a. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

10 
Now there was a believer[b] in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision,
calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied.

b. God will use you. Just like Paul.