(a) Describe Philip's missionary activities in Judea and Samaria. [9 marks] (b) State three problems facing the work of evangelism in your country. [6 marks...

Answer Details

(a) Philip's missionary activities in Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:4-40)

• After the martyrdom of Stephen, a great persecution scattered the believers from Jerusalem. Philip, one of the seven deacons, went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them.
• The crowds gave heed to what he said when they heard him and saw the signs he did. Unclean spirits came out of many, crying with a loud voice, and many paralysed and lame people were healed, so there was much joy in that city.
• Philip's preaching converted many, including Simon the magician, who had previously amazed the people with sorcery. Simon himself believed and was baptised and continued with Philip, marvelling at the signs and miracles.
• When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word, they sent Peter and John, who prayed and laid hands on the converts so that they received the Holy Spirit.
• An angel of the Lord then directed Philip to go south toward the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. There he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the queen (Candace), reading the prophet Isaiah in his chariot.
• Guided by the Spirit, Philip ran to him, and beginning with that Scripture, told him the good news of Jesus. When they came to some water, the eunuch was baptised. The Spirit then caught Philip away, and he was found at Azotus, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

(b) Three problems facing the work of evangelism in my country

1. Religious rivalry and intolerance, sometimes leading to persecution or violence against evangelists.
2. Materialism, false prophets and commercialisation of religion, which discredit the gospel and mislead people.
3. Poor funding, bad roads and insecurity that make it difficult to reach rural and remote communities.