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Acts study & commentary

Acts 8

By Doug Ford
Saul Persecutes the Church;
Christ Is Preached in Samaria;
The Sorcerer's Profession of Faith;
The Sorcerer's Sin;
Christ Is Preached to an Ethiopian

Andrew Carnegie, steel mogul in the 1900's said this, “Take away my people but leave my factories,” he said, “and soon grass will grow up through the floors of the factories. But leave my people and take my factories, and those people will soon build new and better factories.” [1]

We could say a similar thing about the church.  The church is people and about people; and where ever they go and gather, they will remain the church.  C.H. Spurgeon, the prince of preachers said it this way, “In every church where there is really the power of the Spirit of God, the Lord will cause it to be spread abroad, more or less. He never means that a church should be like a nut shut up in a shell; nor like ointment enclosed in a box. The precious perfume of the gospel must be poured forth to sweeten the air.”

The church started with a few followers of Christ.  At Pentecost, it became several thousand and was called the church, the ‘ecclesia’.  The church at first was described as being added to, then it was said to be multiplying.  And up to this point, it was pretty much limited to Jerusalem.  But Christ commanded that the church was to take the good news to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the end of the earth.

One of the early church fathers wrote; "The blood of the martyrs became the seed of the church."  If that is the case then the blood of Stephen would be the seed that caused the church to grow in new places.  As we completed chapter 7, Stephen had been stoned to death for proclaiming Christ to the High Priest and ruling council of Israel. 

 

Acts 8:1-3

Saul was in hearty agreement with the death of Stephen.  Nothing about murdering a man in this way cause him any grief or regret.  In fact, it seemed to offer a cultural stamp of approval that it was ok for Jews to kill Christians.  Rome must have agreed to look the other way.  The hatred and ugliness that is in each us can rise to the surface very quickly.  Have you ever got stuck on the interstate that was closed down?  Black Friday shopping - someone always gets stabbed or shot over the last big deal.  At the beginning of Covid, we saw people hoarding toilet paper, even to the point of fighting over it.  We saw people shot over wearing, or not wearing masks.  The stories seem to be endless.

The sinful pride and ugliness of man is never more obvious than when a nonbeliever is confronted with a gospel.  The reactions are sometimes bizarre and totally random.  The reaction is out of line with what was said.  When our sin is threatened the evil in us rises up.  As Saul thought himself a religious person, he thought what he was doing was right. 

These religious leaders had set an example; those who disagreed with them or threatened them would be killed.  They would say they were enforcing the law and punishing Stephen for blasphemy, but it was understood that it was okay to persecute these Christ followers.  Apparently, the apostles felt safe and didn't flea.  There may have been some modicum of respect of fear of them among the people. 

Saul made 'havoc' of the church.  This ‘havoc’ is the same word you would use when a vicious animal shred something to pieces.  Saul was out of control and dragging people out of their houses.  This is a far cry from the picture of this well educated, religious elite man who is trained by Gamaliel. 

 

Acts 8:4-8

The gospel spread as the word was preached everywhere they scattered to.  This included Judea, Samaria and the ends of earth, consistent with the great commission.  Wherever the church is, the word is preached.

Philip is the first listed evangelist (21:3) and this appears to be the first missionary journey to Samaria.  Samaria would not have been a popular place to go.  This is the former capitol of the Northern Kingdom.  Most folks in Judea would look at Samaritans as half breeds.  They weren't real Jews in their eyes.  When they heard the gospel, the great multitude responded immediately in one accord.  To be in ‘accord’ was to be of the same heart and mind and spirit..  They heeded the things Philip spoke.  This means they gave proper attention to them.  They saw and heard miracles through his preaching.  People were delivered from demon possession.  It sounds like the demons were running for cover.  The paralyzed and lame were healed.      

To say there was great joy must have been a major understatement.  This is the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of the word of God at work in their life and the lives of their friends and families. 

 

Acts 8:9-13

Sorcery was magic spells and harnessing the power of the occult.  Simon was a direct challenge the things of Christ and counterfeit of what Phillip taught.  Simon claimed to be someone great.  How do you tell the real thing from the counterfeit?  The real thing glorifies God and draws attention to Him.  The real thing said, “God is great.”  The counterfeit said, “Simon is great.” 

The people of Samaria ascribed the power he exercised as being from God.  Simon apparently didn't deny it.  He was somewhat of a local celebrity.  The people gave him heed.  This is the same heed they gave Philip.  They saw miracles with Philip and heard the gospel.  Simon astonished the people with his sorceries.  Some looked at Simon and believed him to be of God, others may have just thought he was weird.  Either way, he was somewhat of a celebrity.  

Note:  Justin Martyr, a Samaritan, claimed that his people revered Simon as a god.  There are other sources from the 2nd century that describe a man named Simon Magus.  They say his heresy spread throughout much of the Roman Empire.  Peter and others were often required to refute the teachings of Simon.   Later in the second century, Tertullian spoke of a Simon.  This Simon was honored with a statue in Rome carrying the inscription “To Simon the holy god.”  We have no way of knowing for sure if these Simons are this same Simon that Philip ran in to but it is interesting to note and quite coincidental.

Those that once followed Simon and were impressed by his miracles were trusting in Jesus.  This got Simon's attention.  Simon saw the power of God and he too became a believer and began to follow Philip.    He saw that his magic wasn’t enough.

 

Acts 8:14-17

Peter and John were sent to confirm these salvations were the real deal.  Christians in Samaria, now that was a big deal.  God truly was doing an amazing thing.  These new believers received the gospel and received their salvation.  They were baptized in the name of Jesus but, the Holy Spirit had not fallen on them.  The Holy Spirit didn't need Peter & John in order to come on these new believers.  Yet, Peter and John came, laid hands on them, and these new Samarian believers received the Holy Spirit.  The receiving of the Spirit was confirmation, they were truly saved in Christ. 

This is also a display of unity.  There was a great division between the Samaritans and the Jews.  But in Christ, we are one.  By John and Peter coming, this was one church, the church of Christ.  The church of Samaria, the church in Jerusalem, the church of Jewish believers are all alike in Christ.

When the Holy Spirit came on them it was something visible and tangible that they saw.  This may have been like the day of Pentecost when they spoke in tongues. 

 

Acts 8:18-25

Simon wasn't among those who received the Holy Spirit.  When he saw this, he pulled out his wallet and wanted to know how much this would cost.  I'd like to see the expression on Peter and John's face when Simon said this.  By all appearance, Simon was a believer.  Did he not understand that this was God the Spirit filling a person?  In his ignorance, or maybe arrogance, he thought he could buy the supernatural power of God.  Suddenly, the true colors of this man rise to the surface.  He wasn't a repentant sinner trusting in Christ.  He was in the church seeking a way to retain his stature as a god, or a noteworthy man among the people.  He wanted the power and the attention of the people, not the grace, mercy and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.  He stands as a contrast to the Samaritan Christians who had just received the Holy Spirit.

This act of trying to purchase power, authority or pardon in the church is now known Simony.  Simon has a sin named after him.

Peter called for Simon’s money to perish with him.  This is tough talk.  This word perish is to be ‘brought to destruction’.  In this context, it implies hell.  Simon went from being someone who appears to be a believer to being revealed as an enemy of the gospel.  The gifts of God won't come through a person who's heart isn't right; not in part nor portion. 

We could contrast Simon with Stephen.  Stephen was a man of faith, a servant, working out his faith in obedience to the Lord.  The results, the works, everything belonged to the Lord since he was bought and paid for by the blood of Christ.  In Simon, we see the self-serving attitude of sinful man; the same resides in each of us.  He was interested in obedience or service; God wouldn't use his lack of faith for anything other than bringing him to that place. 

As bad as Simon's sin was, there was also still hope.  Peter doesn't pull any punches, he said it like it was, called it what it was, then gave the remedy.  Simon needed to fall on his face before God and repent and pray that God would forgive him.

Simon was a false convert, never really trusting the Lord, never fully yielding his life to Jesus.  Peter believed this was because he was poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.  The root of both of these may be pride.  It's the same kind of pride we saw in Satan as he also declared he would be like God.  Simon wanted to be worshiped, he didn't want to be a worshiper.  Simon was sorry but not repentant.  He felt conviction but failed to genuinely seek the Lord. 

The gospel is spread throughout Samaria as Peter and John made their way back to Jerusalem.

 

Acts 8:26-33

Philip, the evangelist, was preaching to a multitude in Samaria and many heard his message and believed.  Then the Lord had another assignment, go to the desert.  This doesn't sound like a great place for a revival.  There certainly wouldn’t be a large crowd there.  This required obedience and humility. 

I love how Luke presents this like it was an everyday occurrence; an angel showed up, spoke to Phillip, and told him where to go.  Phillip obeyed without question.  How awesome to be able to hear the direction of the Lord to be used in this way.  How many times do we miss the call for His use because we are focused on our own wants and needs?  Is the word of the Lord prevalent in our life or is it drowned out while we are taking care of our self and not waiting on the Lord? 

In the desert Phillip ran across a man reading the scriptures.  At the Lord’s direction he approached him.  He was in a chariot, likely driven by another as he read.  In addition, this would not have been a single chariot but a caravan of many.  This man was probably a Jewish proselyte who had just come from worshiping in Jerusalem.  He was the treasurer for Candace the queen.  Candace is a title and not necessarily a name.  A eunuch was a royal position that may include castration as part of the job.   If that were the case, he would not have been allowed in the courts of the temple.  We know this man was pretty well off because it was rare for anyone to have their own private copy of the scroll of Isaiah.

We should note that Philip met this man in his world.  This is an evangelist at work.  Phillip was sent there to meet this man at that place and that time to be the one to guide him through the scriptures.  That excites me.  This happens all the time.  When we make ourselves available to the Lord, he'll put us to work doing things just like this. 

The Ethiopian man was trying to understand Isaiah 53. 

 

Acts 8:34-

The eunuch didn’t know who this servant was supposed to be.  It was important for him to read the scripture and know the answer.   Among the Israelites, some thought this suffering servant of Isaiah was the nation of Israel that suffered through wars, exile and persecution.  Others saw this suffering servant as Isaiah himself.  Others were correct in their estimation that this suffering servant was the Messiah.  Yet, that was hard to accept, it made no sense.  The messiah was supposed to be a deliverer, a savior and a king. 

Philip preached Jesus to the man and led him through the scriptures.  This Ethiopian believed, turned from his sin and trusted Jesus.  He was saved by an Old Testament bible study.  He stopped his chariot, pulled off the road and Philip baptized him as he made his profession of faith. 

Phillip was ‘harpazo’ away.  This word translated caught away is the same word we see as the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and Paul’s trip to heaven in 2 Corinthians.   When the work was done, he was caught away to Azotus.  This is the old Philistine city of Ashdod). And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.  Depending on how far the eunuch was outside of Jerusalem, Phillip might have been snatched away up to 30 miles or so.  Then Azotus to Caesarea is about 54 miles. 

 

©2008, 2014, 2021 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater  

 

[1] Gangel, K. O. (1998). Acts (Vol. 5, p. 118). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.