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 Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
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.
And there was great joy in that city.
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:
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
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.
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
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.
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.
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,
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
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.
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:
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
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?
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.
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.
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.
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.
Acts 8 marks a pivotal shift in the narrative of the early church. As Acts 1:8 outlines, the gospel was to spread from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth. Chapter 8 details the initial stages of this expansion, fueled both by persecution and divine orchestration. Ironically, the very actions intended to suppress the church served to propel its message further than ever before.
Persecution and Scattering (Acts 8:1-4)
The stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 ignited a wave of intense persecution against the church in Jerusalem. Saul, later known as the Apostle Paul, played a prominent role in this persecution, actively seeking out and imprisoning believers (Acts 8:3). This adversity, however, became the catalyst for the church's expansion. Driven from Jerusalem, the believers scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, and everywhere they went, they proclaimed the good news. This demonstrates a powerful truth: God can use even the most difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes. When hardship comes into your own life because of your faith in Christ, remember that your circumstances are not outside of God’s sovereign control and care. He can use your adversity to glorify himself, accomplish his purposes, bring others to Christ, and strengthen you in your faith.
Philip's Ministry in Samaria (Acts 8:5-13)
Philip, one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6:1-6, exemplifies this outward movement. He traveled to Samaria, a region often despised by the Jews due to their mixed heritage and religious practices (2 Kings 17). Yet, Philip's ministry there was remarkably effective. He proclaimed the Messiah, performed miracles, cast out unclean spirits, and healed the sick, leading many Samaritans to believe and be baptized. The miracles served to give visible validity to the gospel message. This highlights the inclusive nature of the gospel, which transcends ethnic and social boundaries.
Among those who believed was Simon, a sorcerer who had previously captivated the Samaritans with his magical practices. Simon was amazed when he saw genuine miracles accomplished by a follower of the true God (Acts 8:13). His conversion, however, would soon be tested.
Peter and John's Visit and Simon's Sin (Acts 8:14-25)
News of the Samaritans' acceptance of the gospel reached the apostles in Jerusalem, prompting them to send Peter and John to Samaria. They prayed for the new believers, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. This event was significant in demonstrating the unity of the believing community. As each new group came to believe the gospel (Samaritans, Gentiles, etc.), they received the Holy Spirit when the apostles were present. This demonstrated the unity of the believers and that all were embracing the same faith.
Witnessing this, Simon the sorcerer, driven by his old ways, offered Peter and John money to obtain the power to bestow the Holy Spirit. Peter vehemently rebuked him, stating that God's gift cannot be acquired with money but is sovereignly and freely given (Acts 8:20). Peter urged Simon to repent of this wickedness so that he might be forgiven, because his heart [was] not right before God (Acts 8:21-22). Simon then asked Peter to pray for him, so that he wouldn’t be destroyed (Acts 8:24). Repentance is God’s means to limit or reverse the consequences of sin.
This episode serves as a stark reminder that genuine faith involves a transformation of the heart, not merely an outward profession. It is clear that Simon was a believer (see 8:13)—though one in extreme error. Years of practicing magic and claiming to have divine power (see 8:9-11) had resulted in bitterness and wickedness in his heart (8:23). Repentance and prayer were needed (8:22) to root out the evil ways and desires that had so long been a part of his life. God is not a slot machine to be used to fulfill our carnal desires.
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40)
Following his ministry in Samaria, Philip was directed by an angel to travel to a desert road leading to Gaza. There, he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official in charge of the treasury of the Ethiopian queen. The eunuch had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home, reading from the book of Isaiah.
The Holy Spirit prompted Philip to approach the chariot and engage the eunuch in conversation. When Philip asked the man if he understood the passage he was reading, the Ethiopian confessed his ignorance and invited Philip into his chariot to explain it to him (Acts 8:30-31). The passage was from Isaiah 53:7-8, speaking of the Suffering Servant of the Lord who would be led like a sheep to the slaughter (Acts 8:32). The man asked, Who is the prophet saying this about? (Acts 8:34). This opened the door for Philip to explain how Jesus fulfilled the prophecy and to share the good news of salvation. This story is a good reminder to us to be ready to share the gospel with those whom we encounter and to be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Pray regularly for God to bring someone across your path with whom you can share the love of God in Jesus Christ. There are people out there whom the Spirit has prepared. Like the Ethiopian man, they’re asking themselves, “How can I understand unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:31). Believers are to know the Scriptures so that they are prepared to help unbelievers properly understand and respond to the gospel, as well as to help fellow believers grow in their faith (see 1 Pet 3:15).
Upon hearing the message, the eunuch believed and requested baptism. Philip baptized him, and the Holy Spirit then took Philip away to Azotus. The eunuch continued home to Ethiopia, carrying his faith with him and rejoicing (Acts 8:39).
This account of the Ethiopian official is significant for three reasons. First, it acknowledges the existence of a royal kingdom of dark-skinned people at the time of first-century Christianity. Second, it records the continuation of Christianity in Africa after having been initiated through the first African-Jewish proselytes who were converts at Pentecost (see Acts 2:10). Third, it verifies God’s promise in Zephaniah 3:9-10 about followers of God who would come from Cush (that is, Ethiopia). God desired to call to himself peoples from the African continent to serve him in brotherhood with all men.
Key Takeaways from Acts 8
Acts 8 provides several key insights:
- God's Sovereignty: God is able to use even the most adverse circumstances, like persecution, to advance His kingdom.
- The Inclusive Nature of the Gospel: The gospel is for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, social status, or background.
- The Importance of Discipleship: Understanding Scripture requires guidance and teaching from others.
- The Necessity of Genuine Faith: True faith involves a transformation of the heart and a commitment to living according to God's will.
- The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness and minister effectively.
Acts 8 serves as a powerful reminder that the gospel is meant to be shared and that God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. It calls us to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, to be ready to share our faith with others, and to trust that God will work through us to bring His message of salvation to the world.
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 Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
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.
And there was great joy in that city.
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:
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
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.
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
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.
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.
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,
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
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.
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:
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
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?
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.
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.
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.
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.
Acts 8 marks a pivotal shift in the narrative of the early church. As Acts 1:8 outlines, the gospel was to spread from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria, and then to the ends of the earth. Chapter 8 details the initial stages of this expansion, fueled both by persecution and divine orchestration. Ironically, the very actions intended to suppress the church served to propel its message further than ever before.
Persecution and Scattering (Acts 8:1-4)
The stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 ignited a wave of intense persecution against the church in Jerusalem. Saul, later known as the Apostle Paul, played a prominent role in this persecution, actively seeking out and imprisoning believers (Acts 8:3). This adversity, however, became the catalyst for the church's expansion. Driven from Jerusalem, the believers scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, and everywhere they went, they proclaimed the good news. This demonstrates a powerful truth: God can use even the most difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes. When hardship comes into your own life because of your faith in Christ, remember that your circumstances are not outside of God’s sovereign control and care. He can use your adversity to glorify himself, accomplish his purposes, bring others to Christ, and strengthen you in your faith.
Philip's Ministry in Samaria (Acts 8:5-13)
Philip, one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6:1-6, exemplifies this outward movement. He traveled to Samaria, a region often despised by the Jews due to their mixed heritage and religious practices (2 Kings 17). Yet, Philip's ministry there was remarkably effective. He proclaimed the Messiah, performed miracles, cast out unclean spirits, and healed the sick, leading many Samaritans to believe and be baptized. The miracles served to give visible validity to the gospel message. This highlights the inclusive nature of the gospel, which transcends ethnic and social boundaries.
Among those who believed was Simon, a sorcerer who had previously captivated the Samaritans with his magical practices. Simon was amazed when he saw genuine miracles accomplished by a follower of the true God (Acts 8:13). His conversion, however, would soon be tested.
Peter and John's Visit and Simon's Sin (Acts 8:14-25)
News of the Samaritans' acceptance of the gospel reached the apostles in Jerusalem, prompting them to send Peter and John to Samaria. They prayed for the new believers, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. This event was significant in demonstrating the unity of the believing community. As each new group came to believe the gospel (Samaritans, Gentiles, etc.), they received the Holy Spirit when the apostles were present. This demonstrated the unity of the believers and that all were embracing the same faith.
Witnessing this, Simon the sorcerer, driven by his old ways, offered Peter and John money to obtain the power to bestow the Holy Spirit. Peter vehemently rebuked him, stating that God's gift cannot be acquired with money but is sovereignly and freely given (Acts 8:20). Peter urged Simon to repent of this wickedness so that he might be forgiven, because his heart [was] not right before God (Acts 8:21-22). Simon then asked Peter to pray for him, so that he wouldn’t be destroyed (Acts 8:24). Repentance is God’s means to limit or reverse the consequences of sin.
This episode serves as a stark reminder that genuine faith involves a transformation of the heart, not merely an outward profession. It is clear that Simon was a believer (see 8:13)—though one in extreme error. Years of practicing magic and claiming to have divine power (see 8:9-11) had resulted in bitterness and wickedness in his heart (8:23). Repentance and prayer were needed (8:22) to root out the evil ways and desires that had so long been a part of his life. God is not a slot machine to be used to fulfill our carnal desires.
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40)
Following his ministry in Samaria, Philip was directed by an angel to travel to a desert road leading to Gaza. There, he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a high-ranking official in charge of the treasury of the Ethiopian queen. The eunuch had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home, reading from the book of Isaiah.
The Holy Spirit prompted Philip to approach the chariot and engage the eunuch in conversation. When Philip asked the man if he understood the passage he was reading, the Ethiopian confessed his ignorance and invited Philip into his chariot to explain it to him (Acts 8:30-31). The passage was from Isaiah 53:7-8, speaking of the Suffering Servant of the Lord who would be led like a sheep to the slaughter (Acts 8:32). The man asked, Who is the prophet saying this about? (Acts 8:34). This opened the door for Philip to explain how Jesus fulfilled the prophecy and to share the good news of salvation. This story is a good reminder to us to be ready to share the gospel with those whom we encounter and to be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Pray regularly for God to bring someone across your path with whom you can share the love of God in Jesus Christ. There are people out there whom the Spirit has prepared. Like the Ethiopian man, they’re asking themselves, “How can I understand unless someone guides me?” (Acts 8:31). Believers are to know the Scriptures so that they are prepared to help unbelievers properly understand and respond to the gospel, as well as to help fellow believers grow in their faith (see 1 Pet 3:15).
Upon hearing the message, the eunuch believed and requested baptism. Philip baptized him, and the Holy Spirit then took Philip away to Azotus. The eunuch continued home to Ethiopia, carrying his faith with him and rejoicing (Acts 8:39).
This account of the Ethiopian official is significant for three reasons. First, it acknowledges the existence of a royal kingdom of dark-skinned people at the time of first-century Christianity. Second, it records the continuation of Christianity in Africa after having been initiated through the first African-Jewish proselytes who were converts at Pentecost (see Acts 2:10). Third, it verifies God’s promise in Zephaniah 3:9-10 about followers of God who would come from Cush (that is, Ethiopia). God desired to call to himself peoples from the African continent to serve him in brotherhood with all men.
Key Takeaways from Acts 8
Acts 8 provides several key insights:
- God's Sovereignty: God is able to use even the most adverse circumstances, like persecution, to advance His kingdom.
- The Inclusive Nature of the Gospel: The gospel is for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, social status, or background.
- The Importance of Discipleship: Understanding Scripture requires guidance and teaching from others.
- The Necessity of Genuine Faith: True faith involves a transformation of the heart and a commitment to living according to God's will.
- The Power of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to witness and minister effectively.
Acts 8 serves as a powerful reminder that the gospel is meant to be shared and that God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. It calls us to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, to be ready to share our faith with others, and to trust that God will work through us to bring His message of salvation to the world.