adapted from Acts 8:26-40 by Jackie Perseghetti

Philip hesitated. His mind raced wildly. Could I? Should I? He gazed down the dusty road.

It could be risky. But then, risk had never stopped him before.

Philip gathered his courage and made his way closer, unaware of the impact his action would make. With each step forward he remembered the events that brought him to this point. . . .

"Philip, you have been picked to serve with these six men," the apostle Peter said. "All of you have been selected because you are well respected and full of wisdom and you rely upon God’s strength."

Philip listened attentively as he stood next to Stephen, another man who had been chosen. What an honor and a great responsibility to be picked as a leader! They would help meet the needs of those in the church, so the apostles could focus their attention on spreading the gospel. Working like a well-oiled machine, the church grew and many new believers were added daily. Then it happened. A shock. A surprise to all.

"I refuse to listen to any more of this ‘Jesus nonsense!’ " the angry Jewish religious leader spewed at Stephen. Stephen gazed into the man’s eyes—immune to his threats—and continued his message.

"Silence!" The religious leader shouted. Bending down, the leader picked up a large rock. The other Jewish leaders followed his example.

Stephen knew what was coming. Although they pressed in upon him, he continued to speak out for Christ until he was silenced forever.

Word of Stephen’s death quickly reached the church in Jerusalem. People panicked. Would the religious leaders come and kill them, too? Many believers fled for the safety of neighboring Judea. Philip packed his bags, like the others, but he didn’t flee. Instead he chose to pick up where Stephen left off. His audience would be the Samaritans—the people despised by the Jews.

"Philip, don’t waste your time with those people!" his friends advised.

"Come with us instead!" they begged. "It’s not worth the risk."

But Philip refused. As long as I have breath within me, the gospel message will not be silenced! he decided.

Philip followed through with his plan and went to Samaria. Because of his faithfulness, a new church, filled with Samaritan believers, was soon established. Attendance grew so large, the apostles Peter and John came from Jerusalem to see whether the reports they heard were true.

With astonishment and great joy, they acknowledged the wonderful work God had done. All because Philip had dared to take a risk. As wonderful as all this was, God had more plans for Philip. . . .

Philip gazed into the horizon and spotted a caravan. Remembering God’s help in the past and the words he had heard from an angel of the Lord, he gained new courage to take another risk. I don’t know why You have led me to this desert road, Lord. But I have a hunch it has to do with that fancy caravan!

The caravan bounced along the road, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Oh, bother!" the man in one of its carriages mumbled. Between the constant jostling and his trying to understand what he was reading, the Ethiopian treasurer was not having a pleasant trip.

"Although I have access to the world’s greatest riches, I am poor when it comes to understanding these Jewish Scriptures!"

The Ethiopian read each word very slowly out loud, hoping to make sense of the Scripture. It was no use. He sighed. Just as he was about to give up, a voice from outside his carriage startled him. It belonged to Philip. "Excuse me, but I noticed you were reading from the scroll of Isaiah."

"Trying to read it," the treasurer corrected.

Philip knew he was not there by accident, but dare he ask his next question? What if he insulted the man? Deciding to take the risk, Philip respectfully asked, "Do you understand all that you are reading?"

"How can I," the man said, "unless someone explains it to me?"

The Ethiopian invited Philip to climb into the carriage and explain all that he knew. Verse by verse Philip explained how the prophecies spoke about Jesus. Little by little, he shared the gospel as the caravan journeyed along.

Before long, the Ethiopian spotted some water and stopped Philip. He had heard enough. He wanted to become a follower of Christ and be baptized.

When Philip and the treasurer came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took Philip away and the Ethiopian never saw him again.

Philip appeared in a nearby town and continued to take risks and tell people about Jesus Christ.

	Q: Where do bees go after they get married? A: On a honeymoon. Abby B., 10, Massachusetts Clubhouse Jr. Click here to subscribe