Philip's Purple State Strategy (9:45 Contemporary)

The Way of Unity: Walking Through Valleys of Disagrement: Philip's Purple State Strategy: The spread of Christianity started, in part, because of the persecution of the church. Philip is taking the message of the Gospel to the Samaritans...just like Jesus did. (2 Kings 17:24-34 shows a negative image of Samaritans). Philip breaks the barriers of religion and race in his mission to Samaria. God's mission is to all. The Jerusalem Church was so troubled by this that they had to send an investigative committee to check it out - Peter and John (Acts 8:14). Philip's interaction with the Ethiopian eunuch in 26-40 shows a few things: First, we are told he is an Ethiopian - a black African - and the treasurer of "The Candace" the queen mother of Ethiopia. Second, he is probably a "God-worshiper" since he is returning from pilgrimage to Jerusalem and reading the prophet. Third, the Ethiopian has been castrated, which meant he was not acceptable in Jewish society (Deut 23). The Ethiopian wanted more...he may have wanted to convert to Judaism, but that would not have been allowed due to his physical condition. Philip already breaks the walls of religion and race in Samaria...now he breaks the third, very serious barrier of sexuality. Philip baptizes him and he becomes a FULL member of the household of faith.