Acts Chapter 8: The Gospel Spreads to Samaria and Beyond


Summary
Acts 8 narrates the expansion of the gospel following Stephen’s martyrdom, highlighting the church’s scattering, Philip’s ministry in Samaria and to an Ethiopian, and Peter’s confrontation with Simon the sorcerer. The chapter unfolds in several key scenes:
  • Persecution and Scattering (8:1–3): After Stephen’s death, Saul ravages the church, imprisoning believers. Persecution scatters disciples throughout Judea and Samaria, except the apostles, who remain in Jerusalem.
  • Philip’s Ministry in Samaria (8:4–13): Scattered believers preach the word. Philip proclaims Christ in Samaria, performing signs like casting out demons and healing the paralyzed. Many believe and are baptized, including Simon, a sorcerer renowned for magic. The Samaritans rejoice at the gospel’s power.
  • Peter and John in Samaria (8:14–25): Hearing of Samaria’s faith, the apostles send Peter and John, who pray for the believers to receive the Holy Spirit, which comes through laying on hands. Simon offers money for this power, but Peter rebukes him, urging repentance. Simon asks for prayer. Peter and John preach in Samaritan villages before returning to Jerusalem.
  • Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26–40): An angel directs Philip to a Gaza road, where he meets an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official reading Isaiah 53. Philip explains the passage points to Jesus, leading the eunuch to believe and be baptized. The Spirit snatches Philip away to Azotus, where he continues preaching up to Caesarea.
Cross-References
  • Persecution and Scattering:
    • Acts 7:58–60: Stephen’s martyrdom.
    • Luke 21:12–13: Persecution as witness.
    • Acts 11:19: Scattering spreads gospel.
  • Philip’s Ministry:
    • Acts 6:5: Philip as deacon.
    • Mark 16:17–18: Signs follow believers.
    • John 4:39–42: Jesus in Samaria.
  • Simon and the Spirit:
    • Acts 2:38: Spirit with baptism.
    • 1 Timothy 6:10: Love of money as evil.
    • 2 Peter 2:15: False teachers’ greed.
  • Ethiopian Eunuch:
    • Isaiah 53:7–8: Suffering Servant prophecy.
    • Acts 2:41: Baptism after faith.
    • Psalm 68:31: Ethiopia worships God.
  • General Theme:
    • Acts 1:8: Gospel to Judea, Samaria, and beyond.
    • Romans 10:14: Preaching for faith.
Theological Meaning
Acts 8 is rich with theological themes that emphasize the gospel’s unstoppable spread:
  • God’s Use of Persecution: Scattering from persecution (8:1, 4) fulfills Jesus’ mandate to reach Samaria (Acts 1:8), showing God turns trials into opportunities (Romans 8:28; Philippians 1:12).
  • Gospel’s Inclusivity: Samaria’s (8:5–8) and the Ethiopian’s (8:36–38) conversions break ethnic and social barriers, reflecting God’s universal plan (Galatians 3:28; Isaiah 56:3–5).
  • Spirit’s Empowerment: Signs through Philip (8:6–7) and the Spirit’s gift via apostles (8:17) authenticate the gospel and equip believers (Acts 2:17–18; 1 Corinthians 12:7).
  • Faith vs. False Motives: Simon’s attempt to buy spiritual power (8:18–19) contrasts true faith, warning against greed and misuse of God’s gifts (Matthew 7:21–23; James 4:3).
  • Scripture’s Centrality: The eunuch’s conversion through Isaiah 53 (8:32–35) underscores Scripture’s role in pointing to Jesus (Luke 24:27; John 5:39).
  • Divine Guidance: The angel’s direction (8:26) and Spirit’s leading (8:29, 39) show God orchestrates evangelistic encounters (Proverbs 16:9; Acts 16:6–10).
  • Baptism’s Significance: Immediate baptisms (8:12, 38) mark public commitment to Christ, following repentance and faith (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4).
Questions and Answers
  1. Why did persecution scatter the church (8:1)?
    • Saul’s arrests after Stephen’s death forced believers to flee Jerusalem, except apostles (8:1; Acts 9:1). This spread the gospel to new regions, fulfilling Acts 1:8 (Acts 11:19).
  2. Why did Philip preach in Samaria (8:5)?
    • As a scattered believer, Philip obeyed Jesus’ call to reach Samaria (8:5; Acts 1:8). Samaritans, despised by Jews, were ripe for the gospel (John 4:9; Luke 10:33).
  3. What signs did Philip perform in Samaria (8:6–7)?
    • Philip cast out demons and healed the paralyzed and lame, confirming the gospel with miracles (8:7; Mark 16:20). These drew crowds to faith (8:6; Acts 14:3).
  4. Why did Peter and John pray for the Spirit in Samaria (8:14–17)?
    • Samaritans believed and were baptized but hadn’t received the Spirit (8:16). The apostles’ prayer and laying on hands brought the Spirit, uniting them with the church (8:17; Acts 2:4).
  5. What was Simon’s sin, and why was it serious (8:18–23)?
    • Simon offered money to gain the Spirit’s power, seeking personal gain (8:18–19). Peter called it wickedness, urging repentance, as it perverted God’s gift (8:20–23; 1 Timothy 6:10).
  6. Who was the Ethiopian eunuch (8:27)?
    • A high official under Queen Candace, he was a God-fearing Gentile, likely barred from full Jewish worship due to being a eunuch (8:27; Deuteronomy 23:1; Isaiah 56:3–4).
  7. How did Philip explain Isaiah 53 to the eunuch (8:32–35)?
    • Philip showed the “Suffering Servant” was Jesus, who died and rose for salvation (8:35; Isaiah 53:5–6). This led the eunuch to faith (8:36; 1 Peter 2:24).
  8. Why was Philip taken away after the baptism (8:39)?
    • The Spirit supernaturally transported Philip to Azotus to continue preaching (8:39–40; 1 Kings 18:12). It emphasized God’s control over mission (Acts 16:9).
Additional Notes for Readers
  • Historical Context: The events (circa AD 34–35) follow Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 7:60; 8:1). Samaria, north of Judea, had Jewish-Gentile tensions (8:5; John 4:9). Caesarea (8:40) was Judea’s Roman hub (Acts 10:1). The Ethiopian eunuch (8:27) served Candace, a title for Nubian queens (Pliny, Natural History 6.35). Simon’s sorcery (8:9) was common in Greco-Roman culture (Acts 13:8). The famine (Acts 11:28) later aligns with this period.
  • Cultural Questions: Readers might wonder why Saul targeted believers (8:3). He saw Christianity as heretical (Acts 26:9–11). Samaritans’ joy (8:8) contrasted their marginalization (Luke 9:52). Laying hands (8:17) signified blessing or commissioning (Acts 6:6). The eunuch’s status (8:27) made his conversion influential in Ethiopia (Psalm 68:31). Baptism by a road (8:36) used available water, common in early practice (Acts 16:15).
  • Application: Acts 8 calls believers to share the gospel boldly, trust God’s guidance, and embrace His inclusive plan. It warns against selfish motives and urges faith rooted in Scripture, advancing Christ’s mission (1 Peter 3:15).
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