Acts 8
From Wikichristian.org
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1 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 apostles. edit Full Text of Acts 8
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Synopsis: Acts 8 chapter tells of expansion of the church into Samaria. It begins following the death of Stephen, revealing that following his murder, persecution began which was the catalyst for the expansion of the early church. It continues with Philip taking the gospel to Samaria, and then to an Ethiopian eunuch.
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Commentary
Acts 8 chapter tells of expansion of the church into Samaria. It begins following the death of Stephen. It continues with Philip taking the gospel to Samaria, and then to an Ethiopian eunuch.
Persecution and dispersion
Acts 8:1 and Acts 8:4 reveal that following his murder, persecution began and this was the catalyst for the expansion of the early church.
- 1 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 apostles. edit
- 4 Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word. edit
It was probably Diaspora Hellenist Jews who dispersed. The apostles certainly remained in Jerusalem. It is likely that because they were Hebraic Jews who remained devout and continued to carefully observe Mosaic Law and so were not persecuted.
Evangelism in Samaria
Acts 8 continues with Philip is led by the Holy Spirit to go to Samaria. Here the Samaritans believe in Jesus (Acts 8:14) and the apostles Peter and John travel to meet the new believers.
- 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, edit
After Peter and John arrived in Samaria, they prayed for the new believers and the Holy Spirit came upon them, probably in the same way that occurred in Acts 2 on Pentecost - with wind and fire and tongues. This outward sign would have acted as definitive evidence that God had fully accepted the Samaritans to be integrated into the his church. In this way, Acts 1:8 was being fulfilled
- 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth." edit (Acts 1:8)
- 17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. edit (Acts 8:17)
Some theologians see the fact that Peter was present at this event as fulfilling the words of Jesus in Matthew 16 where Jesus gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven - in Acts 8, by being present at this event, Peter is now showing that the Kingdom of Heaven is open to the Samaritans.
The Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8 continues with Philip travelling south and meeting an Ethiopian believer in God. The Ethiopain was probably God-fear (a non-Jew), although, possibly he was a proselyte (had converted to Judaism). Philip, explaining the meaning of Isaiah 53, and showing that Jesus is the suffering servant described, shared the gospel with the Ethiopian who accepted it and was baptized.
Traditionally, it is believed that the Ethiopian took the new faith back with him to his homeland, and from there the Ethiopian church, which still exists today, grew.
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