And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (2) And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. (3) As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (4) Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. (5) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. (6) And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. (7) For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. (8) And there was great joy in that city.
he opening of this Chapter, is connected with the history of Stephen, in the preceding. And it appears very plain, from what Paul related to Agrippa, Acts 26:10-11, that Stephen's death was followed with many others, in which Paul took part. And no doubt the Holy Ghost hath caused this record to be made of Paul, purposely to magnify the exceeding riches, and freeness of grace, in such an illustrious display of it, as was manifested in the after conversion of Paul. See also Acts 22:4-5; Galatians 1:13. As to those which were scattered abroad, it should seem to have been some of the seventy disciples, or probably some of the newly converted believers at the day of Pentecost. For we find, verse 1 (Acts 8:1), that the Apostles remained firm at Jerusalem. And, verse 14 (Acts 8:14), they sent Peter and Joh 1-21. Oh! could the enemies of Christ and his Church, but be made sensible, how the Lord overrules their malice to his glory, in causing them to become the very instruments, to bring about the reverse of what they intend, how would they sometimes shudder? Psalms 75:10
The Reader will recollect, that about four years before, the Lord Jesus had visited Samaria. At which time the Lord had wrought the conversion of many of the people, John 4:39-42. Philip's ministry differed from his Master's, in that Philip wrought miracles in Jesus's name, in confirmation of the truth: but we read of no miracle wrought by Jesus, when there. But I beg the Reader not to overlook, the comprehensive manner of Philip's preaching: Christ. Yes! all preaching is folded up in Christ. Jehovah's Christ; is the One, and the only One Ordinance of heaven, Acts 4:12. And let the Reader further observe, what powerful effects followed Philip's preaching, while Christ was the whole sum and substance; text, sermon, and application! We are told, that unclean spirits came out of many; and palsies, and lameness were healed. And might we not hope, that if the Lord the Spirit were to commission preachers now, as Philip was commissioned then, to preach Christ; would not the same blessed effects, spiritually considered, follow? Oh! ye ministers of the Lord Jesus! see to it, that Philip's plan be your plan; if ye hope the same blessings to follow, Preach Christ to the people! Devils, and all unclean spirits, must be dispossessed, when God the Holy Ghost sends the word, and Christ is preached by his power.