← Back to Acts

Acts 8

40 verses

TL;DR

The early church faces persecution, leading to the dispersion of believers who spread the gospel through miracles and preaching, culminating in Philip’s missionary journey where he baptizes an Ethiopian eunuch and continues evangelizing beyond Israel.

Summary

Following Saul’s death, Christians scattered across Judaea and Samaria are driven by persecution to spread the gospel, with Stephen’s burial symbolizing early martyrdom. Philip travels to Samaria, preaches, performs miracles, and restores joy to the city, while the sorcerer Simon the Magician converts and attempts to buy the Holy Spirit, prompting Peter’s rebuke and Simon’s repentance. The apostles at Jerusalem, upon learning of Samaria’s conversion, send Peter and John to bestow the Holy Spirit upon the believers there, illustrating the continuity of divine empowerment. An angel directs Philip south to Gaza, where he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah; Philip explains the scripture, baptizes the man, and the Spirit departs Philip, who then continues preaching in Azotus and Caesarea.

Outline
  1. Persecution drives early Christians to spread the gospel through miracles and preaching.
  2. Simon's attempt to purchase the Holy Spirit is rebuked, emphasizing the spiritual nature of gifts.
  3. Philip’s journey leads to the Ethiopian eunuch’s conversion and broader evangelism beyond Israel.
Themes
Persecution as catalyst for evangelismSpiritual gifts cannot be bought or earned with moneyUniversal outreach of the gospel beyond Jewish boundaries
Keywords
persecutionapostlesPhilipSimonHoly SpiritbaptismmiraclesorceryfaithrepentanceprophecyIsaiahEthiopia
People
SaulStephenPhilipSimon (the Sorcerer)PeterJohnEthiopian EunuchCandaceApostles
Places
JerusalemSamariaJudeaAzotusCaesareaGaza
Things
Holy Spirit / Holy GhostBaptismMiraclesSorceryMoneyChariotIsaiah (prophecy)Scripture
Key Verses
  • Acts 8:14-17: First instance of apostles laying hands and giving the Holy Spirit to new believers.
  • Acts 8:18-20: Simon's attempt to buy the Spirit and Peter’s rebuke highlight the illicit desire to commodify divine gifts.
  • Acts 8:38-39: The Ethiopian eunuch’s baptism after Philip’s teaching exemplifies evangelism beyond ethnic boundaries.
Questions
  • How does persecution influence the spread of the gospel in this chapter?
  • What lessons does Simon’s story provide about the nature of spiritual gifts?
  • Why is the Ethiopian eunuch’s conversion significant for the early church’s missionary vision?
Sentiment

mixed
Contains both hopeful evangelistic victories and cautionary warnings against buying spiritual gifts.