A Study in Acts Week 8

 Acts Chapter 8

Verses 1-4 The high ranking Pharisee, Saul (later to be known as Paul), stood by approving of Stephen’s death. A persecution of the church (ekklesia – that which is called out) began.

The apostles were scattered. Meanwhile, Stephen was buried. The people missed him greatly.

Saul set out to wipe out the Christians. The Greek word translated “began to destroy” in the NIV (“made havoc” in KJV) is elumaineto. It means “to ravage.” The idea is that Saul caused severe and extensive damage to, devastated, destroyed, ruined, laid waste to or made desolate the church.

Verses 5-8 – Philip went to Samaria to proclaim the good news of Christ. In these days, the relationship between the Jews and the Samaritans was greatly strained  (remember the Samaritan woman at the well and the Good Samaritan). That Philip went there indicated that the gospel was for all people, loved by society or not. Many Samaritans were saved, had evil spirits cast out of them and were healed.

Verses 9-13 – Simon was a magician. People thought he was doing God’s work, but Deuteronomy 18:10-12 tells us that God does not allow magic. Simon was seeking fame and fortune. Philip was doing God’s work. Simon became a believer, but he did not immediately understand what salvation was all about.

Verses 14-17 – Wondering about the converts in Samaria, Peter and John were sent there to see what was going on with these formerly despised people.

Acts 8:15 makes it very clear that just baptism does not save a person. He must receive the Holy Spirit to be saved. It is not our testimony that saves others, nor is it our “leading them to the Lord.” It is the conviction of the Holy Spirit that brings us to salvation.

Verses 18-25 – Simon wanted to buy some of God’s power so he could do what the apostles did. He was seeking fame and fortune. Peter explained that money had nothing to do with what they were doing. Simon could not have a part in the ministry until he relinquished his bitterness and sinful thinking.

Verses 26-35 – Philip was lead by the Holy Spirit to Gaza. On the way he met an Ethiopian who was reading the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Upon being asked to explain the Scripture to the Ethiopian, Philip showed him how Isaiah pointed to the Lord, Jesus Christ.

From Genesis to the Revelation, the Bible is about one thing and one thing only: God’s love for His creation and His plan for its redemption in Christ. Although it contains history, philosophy, great stories and a great life-guide, it is not about those things. It is about Jesus.

Verses 36-40 – When the Ethiopian heard the good news, he believed and wanted to be baptized. They found water and Philip baptized the Ethiopian. Philip went on his way and the Ethiopian went his, full of joy.

Irenaeus, a writer in the second century, wrote that the official went back to Ethiopia. He wrote that the official preached to the people there and that many became believers.

Philip went to Azotus and preached the good news in every town, making his way to Caesarea.