Acts 8: Saul Persecutes the Church

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Parent Category: Division 5. The Gospels of Jesus & Acts of Apostles
Category: Acts

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Overview of Acts Chapter 8

Acts chapter 8 continues the narrative of the Church's expansion, highlighting the evangelist Philip, and the encounter with Simon the sorcerer.

This chapter underscores that the gospel is not for the Jews only, reaching beyond Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria.

The Holy Spirit's role in empowering believers is a central theme.

The chapter concludes with the baptism and conversion of an Ethiopian eunuch, illustrating the inclusive nature of God's redemptive plan.

Verses 1-8: Persecution and Philip's Ministry in Samaria

Following Stephen's Murder, persecution arises against the Church in Jerusalem.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Philip goes to Samaria, where he preaches Christ and performs miraculous signs.

The crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.

Unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.

So there was much joy in that city.

Verses 9-25: Simon the Sorcerer's Encounter

Simon, a sorcerer, witnesses the miracles performed by Philip and becomes a believer.

However, his understanding of faith is flawed, as he attempts to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter confronts Simon's misguided motives, emphasizing that the Spirit is a free gift from God, and cannot be bought with money.

Verses 26-40: Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

An angel of the Lord instructed Philip to go south on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, a deserted area. Philip obeyed, and on the way, he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official in the court of Queen Candace of Ethiopia, responsible for her treasury.

The eunuch was reading from the book of Isaiah.

The Spirit prompted Philip to approach the chariot, where he found the eunuch reading.

Philip asked if he understood the passage, and the eunuch admitted he needed guidance.

Inviting Philip to join him, they discussed the Scripture, starting with the passage from Isaiah. Philip shared the good news about Jesus.

As they continued on the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch, upon seeing it, expressed a desire to be baptized.

Philip agreed, and they both went down into the water, where Philip baptized him.

After the baptism, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch, filled with joy, continued on his journey.

Summary

Acts 8 illustrates the expansion of the gospel message beyond Jerusalem and Judea.

Philip's ministry in Samaria demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel, and the inclusiveness of God's plan for salvation.

The encounter with Simon the sorcerer highlights the importance of genuine faith, and man's inability to buy or manipulate the gifts of the Spirit.

The chapter concludes with the Ethiopian eunuch's conversion, emphasizing the universal accessibility of salvation and the Spirit's role in guiding individuals to faith in Christ.

Acts chapter 8 serves as a bridge connecting the Jerusalem Church, to Judea and Samaria.

Acts  8

Saul Ravages the Church

8 And Saul approved of his execution.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria

4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.

Simon the Magician Believes

9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
    and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
    Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”

34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Q&A

Acts 8:1
Q1: What significant event happened to the church in Jerusalem in Acts 8:1?
A1: A great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 8:2
Q2: How did devout men bury Stephen and mourn for him, as mentioned in Acts 8:2?
A2: Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.

Acts 8:3
Q3: Who played a role in the persecution against the church in Acts 8:3?
A3: Saul (later known as the apostle Paul) played a significant role in the persecution against the church. He was ravaging the church, entering house after house, dragging off men and women and committing them to prison.

Acts 8:4
Q4: How did those who were scattered preach the word, as mentioned in Acts 8:4?
A4: Those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

Acts 8:5
Q5: Who went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ, as mentioned in Acts 8:5?
A5: Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them.

Acts 8:6
Q6: How did the crowds respond to Philip's message and the signs he did, as mentioned in Acts 8:6?
A6: The crowds paid attention to what Philip said, and they saw the signs he did.

Acts 8:9-11
Q7: Who was Simon, and what did the people say about him in Acts 8:9-11?
A7: Simon was a man who practiced magic in Samaria, and the people said that he was the Great Power of God. They paid attention to him because he amazed them with his magic.

Acts 8:12
Q8: How did the people respond to Philip's preaching about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ in Acts 8:12?
A8: The people believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, and they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:14-17
Q9: What did the apostles in Jerusalem do when they heard that Samaria had received the word of God, as mentioned in Acts 8:14-17?
A9: When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to pray for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet fallen on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 8:18-19
Q10: What did Simon offer to give the apostles in Acts 8:18-19?
A10: Simon offered the apostles money, saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Acts 8:20-23
Q11: How did Peter respond to Simon's request, as mentioned in Acts 8:20-23?
A11: Peter rebuked Simon, telling him that his heart was not right before God and that he needed to repent of his wickedness and pray for forgiveness.

Acts 8:26
Q12: Who spoke to Philip, instructing him to go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, as mentioned in Acts 8:26?
A12: An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, instructing him to go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.

Acts 8:27
Q13: Whom did Philip encounter on the road to Gaza, as mentioned in Acts 8:27?
A13: Philip encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure.

Acts 8:30
Q14: What was the Ethiopian eunuch doing when Philip approached him, as mentioned in Acts 8:30?
A14: The Ethiopian eunuch was reading the prophet Isaiah while riding in his chariot.

Acts 8:34-35
Q15: What passage from Isaiah was the Ethiopian eunuch reading, and what question did he ask Philip in Acts 8:34-35?
A15: The Ethiopian eunuch was reading from Isaiah 53, and he asked Philip, "About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?"

Acts 8:36
Q16: What condition did the Ethiopian eunuch express for being baptized, as mentioned in Acts 8:36?
A16: The Ethiopian eunuch expressed his condition for being baptized, saying, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?"

Acts 8:37-38
Q17: What did Philip respond to the Ethiopian eunuch's request to be baptized, as mentioned in Acts 8:37-38?
A17: Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And the eunuch replied, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." They both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

Acts 8:39
Q18: What happened after the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch, as mentioned in Acts 8:39?
A18: After the baptism, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 8:40
Q19: Where did Philip find himself after being carried away by the Spirit, as mentioned in Acts 8:40?
A19: Philip found himself at Azotus and traveled through the region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

 

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