The story of Philip, like the story of Stephen earlier on in Acts, shows that the early "deacons" engaged in more than community administration. They engaged directly in the work of evangelisation. There is another important revelation in Philip's story. The Mother Church in Jerusalem felt the need to bring the new community among the Samaritans into full union with the Apostles chosen by Christ. While Philip did the basic work of spreading the Gospel, the Apostles Peter and John added the further blessing of apostolic communion. There are thus two types of union which we must foster in the Church. There is union in evangelisation: all of us, whether apostle or deacon, cleric or layperson, are called to "proclaim the Messiah". The more we engage together in this common mission, the more we will realize that we are one in Christ. Then there is the union with Jesus through the community which He Himself established, the Twelve. No one can come to the Father except through Jesus. Similarly, it seems clear that it was Jesus' intention that no one could encounter Him after His Ascension to the Father except through communion with the Apostles.