1 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 Judaea 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 havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed [them] to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where 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.
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and [in] the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to [him], and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
Summary of Acts Chapter 8
Acts Chapter 8 presents a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, showcasing the spread of the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, the role of persecution, and the introduction of significant figures such as Philip and Simon the Sorcerer. This chapter highlights the transformative power of faith and the importance of the Holy Spirit in the growth of the church.
Key Themes
- Persecution and Dispersion: The chapter opens with the persecution of the church in Jerusalem, leading to the scattering of believers.
- Evangelism: Philip’s ministry in Samaria emphasizes the importance of spreading the Gospel and the acceptance of the message by diverse groups.
- Miracles and Signs: The signs and wonders performed by Philip demonstrate the power of God and serve to validate the message of Christ.
- Conversion and Baptism: The chapter illustrates the process of conversion, exemplified by the Ethiopian eunuch’s encounter with Philip.
- The Role of the Holy Spirit: The chapter concludes with the significance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, particularly in the context of the Samaritans receiving the Holy Spirit.
Detailed Analysis
1. Persecution and the Scattering of Believers (Acts 8:1-4)
The chapter begins with Saul’s approval of Stephen’s execution, marking a turning point in the early church’s history. This persecution leads to a widespread scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria. The text emphasizes that this scattering was not merely a reaction to persecution but also served as a catalyst for evangelism.
- Saul’s Role: Saul’s zealous persecution of the church highlights the tension between early Christians and Jewish authorities.
- Impact on the Church: The scattering of believers results in the spread of the Gospel, fulfilling Jesus’ command to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth.”
2. Philip’s Ministry in Samaria (Acts 8:5-13)
Philip, one of the seven deacons, takes the initiative to preach in Samaria, a region traditionally hostile to Jews. His ministry is marked by powerful signs and miraculous healings, which draw large crowds and lead to many conversions.
- Acceptance in Samaria: The Samaritans’ acceptance of Philip’s message signifies a breaking down of ethnic and cultural barriers.
- Simon the Sorcerer: The narrative introduces Simon, a sorcerer who astonishes the people with his magic. His eventual belief and baptism raise questions about the nature of true faith.
3. The Apostles and the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17)
The apostles in Jerusalem hear about the success in Samaria and send Peter and John to investigate. They pray for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit, which had not yet been given to them. This moment is significant in establishing the unity of the church and the role of the apostles in the early Christian community.
- Unity of Believers: The apostles’ involvement emphasizes the importance of apostolic authority and the connection between different regions of the church.
- Receiving the Holy Spirit: The act of laying on of hands signifies a formal recognition of the Samaritans as part of the Christian community.
4. The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40)
Philip is directed by an angel to meet an Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official, who is reading the book of Isaiah. This encounter illustrates the divine orchestration of evangelism and the inclusivity of the Gospel message.
- Divine Appointment: Philip’s obedience to the Holy Spirit leads him to a significant conversion, demonstrating God’s plan for all nations.
- Understanding Scripture: The eunuch’s struggle to understand Isaiah highlights the necessity of guidance in interpreting Scripture.
- Baptism: The eunuch’s immediate desire to be baptized signifies a genuine response to the Gospel and the importance of baptism in the Christian faith.
5. Conclusion and Philip’s Continued Ministry (Acts 8:39-40)
The chapter concludes with Philip being taken by the Spirit to Azotus, where he continues to preach the Gospel in various towns. This ending reinforces the ongoing mission of the church and the active role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers.
- Ongoing Evangelism: Philip’s continued ministry serves as a model for evangelism and the spread of the Gospel.
- Role of the Holy Spirit: The chapter closes with a reminder of the Holy Spirit’s active role in leading and empowering believers for ministry.
Conclusion
Acts Chapter 8 is a rich narrative that illustrates the early church’s growth amidst persecution, the breaking down of cultural barriers, and the transformative power of the Gospel. Through the actions of Philip and the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, the chapter emphasizes the inclusivity of the Christian message and the essential role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers.
