Lesson 9: The Word Goes Forth (Acts 8)

The Lord had told the apostles that they would “be my witness in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1.8). Jerusalem had been the setting of Acts 1-7, but beginning with chapter 8 we see the gospel starting to spread to surrounding areas. What was probably unforeseen by the apostles and saints in Jerusalem was that persecution would pave the way for the word to go forth into new areas.

Notes From The Text:

Vss. 1-4, The Disciples Are Scattered

• Vs. 1
  • Saul/Paul would long remember the stoning of Stephen (see Acts 22.18-20).
  • Recall the Lord’s commission in Acts 1.8. The apostles had witnessed for the Lord in Jerusalem, now the gospel would go forth to Judea and Samaria.
• Vs. 3, see Acts 26.10-11; Galatians 1.13.
• Vs. 4, the saints did not flee in terror, but took the message of the gospel with them. Like the apostles, the saints maintained that “we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4.20).

Vss. 5-25, Samaria

• Vs. 5, the Samaritans were the product of Assyria resettling the territory of Israel with other displaced people (see 2Kings 17.24ff). They adopted Jehovah as their God, but did not worship at the Temple in Jerusalem or strictly follow the Mosaic Law (note Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4). There was mutual hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans (see John 4.9; Luke 9.51-54). It may be that the ancient capital of Samaria is intended, but some believe Philip went to Shechem which was then the chief city of the Samaritans.
• Vs. 6, note that the signs prompted the people to pay attention to the message, cf. Mark 16.20.
• Vs. 9, sorcery was and is forbidden by God (Exodus 22.18; Galatians 5.19-21). That Simon did not possess legitimate power was evident when his magic was compared with the signs performed by Philip.
• Vs. 12, true belief compels one to follow the Lord’s commands. The Lord said those who believe AND are baptized will be saved (Mark 16.16). These Samaritans responded in faith just as those at Pentecost had done (Acts 2.38).
• Vs. 13, Simon knew when something was fake, and clearly the wonders performed by Philip were real! This demonstration of God’s power prompted Simon to believe the message and to respond by being baptized. Sadly, those with Calvinistic views teach that Simon didn’t really believe, but was feigning sincerity. They read into the text what is not there and pervert the truth with their false teachings.
• Vs. 14, recall that the apostles had remained in Jerusalem when the rest of the disciples scattered (vs. 1). The gospel being accepted by the Samaritans (who were not Jews) was a significant step in the broadening of God’s Kingdom, thus Peter and John were selected to visit these new disciples. Recall that both Peter and John had been in Samaria with Jesus (John 4) and that John had been one who wished to call down fire on the Samaritans who would not receive his Lord (Luke 9.54).
• Vss. 15-17, I do not believe this is referring to the “gift of the Holy Spirit” (cf. Acts 2.38). To enter the Kingdom is to be born of both water and Spirit (John 3.5), and these believing Samaritans would have received the promised Spirit when they responded in faith by being baptized. I believe the apostles recognized the need for these Samaritan disciples to receive “gifts of the Spirit” (i.e. speaking in tongues, healing, etc.) in order to confirm that they too had been accepted by God. This they received through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, just as the seven had received gifts of the Spirit in Acts 6.6.
• Vss. 18-19, Note: Philip had gifts of the Spirit, but could not impart them to others. Only the apostles could do so. Simon was now a Christian, but he was still susceptible to temptation. He had once enjoyed the praise and favor of others because of his “abilities”. He now wished to have the true ability and to receive favor because of it. Satan was still tempting him just as he always had.
• Vss. 20-23, Peter did not say that Simon had never believed or that he was a complete reprobate. His heart was not right with God, but repentance was still open to him (cf. 1John 1.8-10)!
  

Vss. 26-40, A Eunuch From Ethiopia

• Vs. 26, note that the Lord did not send an angel to the eunuch, but to Philip. The responsibility to proclaim the gospel lies with us “earthen vessels” (see 2Corinthians 4.7).
• Vs. 27, Ethiopia is not the modern nation, but the ancient kingdom of Cush, lying just south of Egypt. The Romans believed it to be the southern boundary of the earth. This eunuch would have traveled several hundred miles to Jerusalem in order to worship. However, he would not have been able to enter the Temple (see Deuteronomy 23.1). But the Lord had promised a time when even a foreign eunuch would be accepted (see Isaiah 56.3-8).
• Vs. 29, “His conversion took place through the agency of both an angel and the Spirit. But neither saved the Ethiopian by some direct, miraculous operation on his heart! Instead, both appeared to Philip, who in turn preached the gospel to the eunuch (cf. Rom. 1:16-17; 10:17).” (Robert Harkrider)
• Vs. 31, his honesty is admirable. He was an important official, entrusted with the queen’s business. Yet, he did not claim to know what he did not understand. Likely his confusion stemmed from a failure to harmonize Isaiah’s words with the common conception of the conquering Messiah.
• Vss. 32-33, see Isaiah 53.7-8.
• Vs. 36, Philip had preached Jesus (vs. 35) and the message of the Kingdom would have included how one could enter the Kingdom: baptism.
• Vs. 37, while this verse is not found in some manuscripts, the profession of faith in Jesus is central to the gospel (see Mark 16.16).
• Vs. 38, the very word “baptize” argues for immersion in water, as does this passage. If sprinkling or pouring were baptism, there would be no need for both men to enter the water.
• Vs. 40, Philip would remain in this area (see Acts 21.8).

Kingdom Takeaways:

1. Power is in the word. In this chapter we have seen the working of miraculous abilities, direct guidance from the Holy Spirit and even the intervention of angels. But none of these saved men and women. It was the “good news” proclaimed that led to faith and salvation (see vs. 12). We have the same opportunity as the early saints to “preach the word” wherever we go, for that contains the power of salvation (see Romans 1.16-17)!
2. We all enter the Kingdom in the same way. No one would have claimed that the Samaritans had much in common with the Jews. The eunuch from Ethiopia had even less in common. However, all responded in the same way to the gospel (Acts 2.38; 8.12,36-38). There’s only one scriptural way of entering the Kingdom, rebirth by water and Spirit (see John 3.5).