(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]
Explanation
(a) Acts 8:26 — 40:
(i) A great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem after the death of Stephen.
(ii) Those who scattered went about preaching the word.
(iii) Philip went down to Samaria and proclaimed Christ.
(iv) A great number of people believed when they heard Philip and saw the signs performed.
(v) Those who believed the good news about the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ were baptized.
(vi) Simon, the magician, who had for long amazed the people with his magical powers, was also baptized having believed.
(vii) The Apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John who came down and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
(viii) They laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
(ix) Simon offered money to be given the power to lay hands on people.
(x) Peter rebuked his evil motives and request, asking him to repent that the intent of his heart be forgiven him.
(xi) But an angel of the Lord directed Philip to the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza.
(xii) Here, he met an Ethiopians eunuch, a minister of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning.
(xiii) Led by the spirit, Philip joined the eunuch in his chariot, explained the word of God to him; and he repented and believed.
(xiv)As they went along the road, they saw water and the eunuch requested to be baptized, and was baptized.
(b) Three problems facing Evangelism:
(i) Religious conflict/Political instability.
(ii) Materialism/worldliness.
(iii) Financial problem.
(iv) Lack of commitment.
(v) Limited knowledge of the word/scripture.
(vi) Modernity
(vii) False teaching
(viii) Political interference.