Philip
Usually so far in our Easter Season reading Luke's book of the Acts of the Apostles, I'm including the daily Acts reading within my daily blogpost, but not necessarily, and little or nothing is always, always and never being as anathema as certainty: never happen. This morning is different for no particular reason, it's just so. Today's reading opens with Saul approving of Stephen being stoned to death, and going from there, including introducing Philip, not the apostle, they are in Jerusalem. Interestingly (or not, your choice), Philip goes "down" to Samaria, which contrasts to our view that going north would be going "up" - - but to those in Luke's time, everything would be going "up" to Jerusalem perhaps just as we might say "I'm going up to Washington" even if we are starting out from Boston. It's not a geographic, but more a hierarchical point of view. We shall shortly hear more of Philip the deacon.
Acts 8:1-8
And Saul approved of their killing him.
Saul Persecutes the Church
That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.
Philip Preaches in Samaria
Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.
The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralysed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:1-8
And Saul approved of their killing him.
Saul Persecutes the Church
That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.
Philip Preaches in Samaria
Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.
