Acts8

Following Stephen's death, a great persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem, prompting Philip to preach Christ in Samaria, where many, including the sorcerer Simon, believed and were baptized. Peter and John were sent to impart the Holy Ghost, rebuking Simon for attempting to purchase this spiritual power. Later, Philip was divinely led to an Ethiopian eunuch, whom he instructed in scripture and baptized, before being supernaturally transported away.

Persecution Scatters the Church

Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the emissaries.

Devout men buried Stephen, and lamented greatly over him.

But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison.

Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around proclaiming the word.

Philip Preaches in Samaria

Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Messiah.

The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did.

For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.

There was great joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one,

to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.”

They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.

But when they believed Philip proclaiming good news concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Yeshua the Messiah, they were immersed, both men and women.

Simon himself also believed. Being immersed, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.

Apostolic Confirmation and Simon Magus

Now when the emissaries who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and Yochanan to them,

who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;

for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been immersed in the name of Messiah Yeshua.

Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the emissaries’ hands, he offered them money,

saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”

But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God.

Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”

Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”

They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans.

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.”

He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship.

He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”

Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.

Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth.

In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away. Who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the earth.”

The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”

Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Yeshua.

As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being immersed?”

Not present in the manuscripts this translation follows.

He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he immersed him.

When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.

But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.

Study Notes for Acts 8

Verse 1

The violent persecution following Stephen’s martyrdom, orchestrated by Saul, ironically served to fulfill Jesus’ command to spread the gospel beyond Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria (Acts 1:8).

Verse 2

The 'devout men' were likely Jewish believers who risked their own safety to provide Stephen with a proper burial, demonstrating honor and solidarity amidst the widespread hostility.

Verse 3

This verse emphasizes the intense zeal and destructive nature of Saul (later Paul) before his conversion, illustrating the depth of God’s grace in transforming him into the greatest missionary.

Verse 5

This Philip is one of the seven deacons (Acts 6:5), not the Apostle. His ministry in Samaria, a region viewed by Jews as ritually impure, marks the first major step in crossing ethnic boundaries with the gospel.

Verse 9

Simon represents false spiritual power, using 'sorcery' (magic arts) to gain influence. Luke contrasts his self-exaltation with the genuine, Christ-centered power demonstrated by Philip.

Verse 13

Simon’s belief appears superficial; he is captivated by the powerful signs and wonders, suggesting a focus on the miraculous power itself rather than true repentance and submission to Christ.

Verse 14

The sending of Peter and John ensured that the new Samaritan converts remained unified with the original Jewish church in Jerusalem, preventing schism and validating the expansion of the gospel.

Verse 15

The Holy Spirit’s delayed arrival (after baptism) in Samaria is unique; it demonstrated that the apostolic leaders held the authority to officially sanction the inclusion of non-Jewish groups into the church.

Verse 18

Simon’s attempt to purchase spiritual authority gives rise to the term 'simony,' which describes the sin of buying or selling church offices or spiritual gifts.

Verse 21

Peter exposes Simon’s corrupt motives, emphasizing that true participation in God’s kingdom requires a heart devoted to God, not personal gain or earthly power.

Verse 23

The metaphors 'gall of bitterness' and 'bond of iniquity' describe a state of profound moral corruption and spiritual slavery, confirming that Simon’s repentance was likely insincere.

Verse 26

The Spirit directs Philip from a successful mass revival in Samaria to a desolate road to reach a single individual, highlighting the importance of personal, directed evangelism in God’s plan.

Verse 27

The eunuch was a high official from Ethiopia (Kush) and a 'God-fearer,' having traveled to Jerusalem to worship. His conversion represents the gospel reaching the African continent and the 'ends of the earth' (Acts 1:8).

Verse 32

The scroll passage is Isaiah 53:7-8, one of the 'Servant Songs.' This specific text was pivotal in demonstrating how Jesus fulfilled the prophetic requirements of the suffering Messiah.

Verse 35

Philip’s method is the standard apostolic practice: beginning with the Old Testament scriptures to demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ, the central subject of prophetic history.

Verse 37

This verse, affirming the necessity of belief before baptism, is absent from most of the earliest Greek manuscripts but reflects the ancient church’s understanding of the prerequisite for Christian initiation.

Verse 39

Philip’s miraculous disappearance emphasizes the divine direction of the mission and leaves the newly converted eunuch, now filled with joy, to carry the gospel back to his homeland.

Verse 40

Azotus (Ashdod) and Caesarea were major Gentile centers on the coast. Philip establishes Caesarea as his new base, continuing the westward expansion of the gospel toward the Roman world.

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Acts8

Persecution Scatters the Church

Philip Preaches in Samaria

Apostolic Confirmation and Simon Magus

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

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