Church Expansion

Acts 8:1-8, 8:26-40

1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.

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.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 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.

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

30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.

32 The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this:

“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter.

And as a lamb is silent before the shearers,

he did not open his mouth.

33 He was humiliated and received no justice.

Who can speak of his descendants?

For his life was taken from the earth.”

34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.

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?” 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.

Life seldom works like you think it will. Our plans often meet unexpected challenges, changes, and detours. In Acts 8, Philip’s story reminds us that even with the best intentions and preparations, God’s ways are higher than our ways. Philip might not have envisioned himself ministering to Samaritans or an Ethiopian eunuch, but through these unforeseen circumstances, God accomplished something greater than human planning ever could. The message is clear: life is unpredictable, but God’s purpose remains steady.

So because life is unpredictable — expect the unexpected. Scripture teaches us to anticipate the unexpected. Philip’s ministry in Samaria and his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch exemplify God’s inclusive mission—one that transcends cultural, racial, and social barriers. Galatians 3:28 emphasizes that in Christ, divisions between Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female are erased. Similarly, Revelation 7:9 paints a picture of every tribe, nation, and language worshipping together before God. In your life, this challenges you to embrace the unexpected and welcome people or situations that stretch your comfort zone.

God doesn’t just act on His own — God involves us in what He is doing. He invites us to participate in His mission. Philip’s willingness to obey the Holy Spirit’s guidance led him to an encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch that had profound spiritual significance. Likewise, God places each of us in specific moments and relationships where we can play a role in His greater plan. The question for us is whether we are attentive to His prompting and willing to engage, even when the task seems unusual or inconvenient.

Large movements of God often start with a single, faithful action. Remember, multiplication begins with one. Philip’s interaction with the eunuch is a powerful example of this. It may seem like a small moment—a conversation on the side of a desert road—but it had ripple effects. Church tradition suggests that this eunuch carried the gospel to Ethiopia, igniting faith in a new region. In the same way, your small acts of obedience and kindness today can have outcomes far beyond what you imagine.

The closing verses of Acts 8 highlight the mystery of God’s direction. We don’t know what’s next — He does. After baptizing the eunuch, Philip is suddenly taken away to another place, continuing his mission without knowing where he’ll end up next. This is a reminder that we don’t always see the whole picture, but God does. Trusting Him with the unknown allows us to let go of control and embrace the journey He lays before us.

Philip’s willingness to engage with the Samaritans, despite historical tensions between Jews and Samaritans, reveals an outward-focused mindset. It’s easy to stay in familiar spaces, but God’s call often requires stepping beyond what is comfortable. Likewise, Philip’s interaction with the Ethiopian eunuch illustrates how new opportunities arise when we say yes to God’s invitation. In your life, consider where God might be calling you to cross boundaries—whether relational, cultural, or personal—to reflect His love.

Philip’s story teaches us the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. His obedience opened doors for ministry that would have otherwise remained closed. What is the Holy Spirit urging you to do today? Maybe it’s starting a conversation, helping someone in need, or making a bold change. Even the smallest step of obedience can lead to profound outcomes in God’s kingdom. The question is: what is your next step of faith?