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Acts Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight General Review
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To note the spread of the gospel into Judea and Samaria, as foretold
by Jesus (cf. Ac 1:8)
2) To review the conversions of the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch
3) To examine the apostolic ministry of imparting the Spirit through the
laying on of hands
SUMMARY
Following the martyrdom of Stephen, the church in Jerusalem was severely
persecuted. Prominent in leading the persecution was young Saul, going
so far as to enter homes and dragging men and women off to prison (1-3).
This led to the dispersion of the church throughout Judea and Samaria,
though the apostles remained in Jerusalem. Those who were scattered
went everywhere preaching the Word, including Philip (one of the seven
men selected to help needy widows, cf. 6:5). Preaching Christ and
performing miracles, many Samaritans believed and were baptized,
including a sorcerer named Simon. When the apostles heard that the
Samaritans had received the Word, they sent Peter and John to impart the
Spirit through the laying on of hands. When Simon tried to buy the
ability to impart spiritual gifts, Peter strongly rebuked him and told
him to repent and pray for forgiveness. Peter and John eventually made
their way back to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of
the Samaritans (5-25).
Philip was then told by an angel to go along the road between Jerusalem
and Gaza where he saw a man reading in his chariot, who happened to be a
eunuch and treasurer of Queen Candace of Ethiopia. Told by the Spirit
to overtake the chariot, Philip heard him reading from the prophet
Isaiah. Invited to explain the passage in Isaiah (cf. Isa 53:7-8),
Philip proceeded to preach Jesus to him. When they came to some water,
the eunuch requested to be baptized and Philip did so upon hearing his
confession of faith. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit
caught Philip away and the eunuch resumed his journey with great joy.
Philip was later found at Azotus, and continued to preach in the cities
until he came to Caesarea (26-40).
OUTLINE
I. AFTERMATH OF STEPHEN'S DEATH (1-4)
A. THE CHURCH PERSECUTED (1-3)
1. Saul consents to Stephen's death
2. A great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem
a. Christians scattered throughout Judea and Samaria
b. Except the apostles
3. Stephen buried and lamented by devout men
4. Saul makes havoc of the church, imprisoning men and women
B. THE CHRISTIANS PREACHING (4)
1. Those scattered abroad went everywhere
2. Preaching the word
II. CONVERSION OF THE SAMARITANS (5-25)
A. PHILIP AT SAMARIA (5-13)
1. Preaches Christ to them
2. Multitudes give heed to the word, seeing the miracles he did
a. Casting out unclean spirits
b. Healing the paralyzed and lame
c. Creating great joy in the city
3. Background on Simon the sorcerer
a. Previously practiced sorcery, astonishing the people,
claiming to be great
b. To whom people gave heed, calling him "the great power of
God"
4. Many Samaritans converted
a. Believed Philip preaching concerning the kingdom of God and
the name of Jesus
b. Were baptized, both men and women
5. Simon also believes and is baptized
a. Continued with Philip
b. Amazed with the signs and miracles that were done
B. PETER AND JOHN AT SAMARIA (14-25)
1. Peter and John sent to Samaria
a. By the apostles at Jerusalem
b. Who heard the Samaritans received the word of God
2. Peter and John impart the Holy Spirit
a. Praying for the Samaritans, for they had only been baptized
in the name of Jesus
b. Laying hands on them, whereby they received the Holy Spirit
3. Simon tries to buy the gift of imparting the Spirit
a. He saw that it was imparted by the laying on of the
apostles' hands
b. He offered Peter and John money for the same gift
c. Peter strongly rebukes Simon
1) For thinking the gift of God could be purchased with
money
2) He had no part in this matter, for his heart was not
right in the sight of God
d. Peter counsels Simon
1) To repent and pray for forgiveness
2) For he is poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity
3) Simon pleads with Peter to pray for him
4. Peter and John return to Jerusalem
a. After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord
b. After preaching the gospel in many of the villages of the
Samaritans
III. CONVERSION OF THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH (26-40)
A. PHILIP SENT TO THE EUNUCH (26-29)
1. An angel of the Lord tells Philip to go south toward Gaza
2. In a desert area he sees a man in a chariot
a. A man of great authority
1) A eunuch from Ethiopia
2) In charge of the treasury of Candace, queen of Ethiopia
b. A religious man
1) Had traveled to Jerusalem to worship
2) Reading from Isaiah on his return home
3. The Spirit tells Philip to overtake the chariot
B. PHILIP PREACHES JESUS TO THE EUNUCH (30-40)
1. Philip approaches the eunuch
a. Hears him reading from Isaiah - Isa 53:7-8
b. Asks him if he understands what he is reading
c. The eunuch desires help in understanding the subject of the
passage
2. Philip preaches to the Eunuch
a. Beginning with that scripture, He preached Jesus to him
b. Coming to some water, the eunuch requests baptism
c. Baptism requires faith in Jesus, which the eunuch confesses
d. Both go into the water, and Philip baptizes the eunuch
3. Following the baptism
a. The Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away so the eunuch saw
him no more
b. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing
c. Philip was later found at Azotus, and preached in all the
cities till he came to Caesarea
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- Aftermath of Stephen's death (1-4)
- Conversion of the Samaritans (5-25)
- Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch (26-40)
2) Who consented to Stephen's death? (1)
- Saul
3) What happened at that time? What was the result? (1)
- A great persecution against the church
- The church was scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, except the
apostles
4) What was Saul doing? (3)
- Making havoc of the church, dragging men and women off to prison
5) What did those who were scattered do? (4)
- They went everywhere preaching the word
6) Who went to Samaria and preached Christ to them? (5)
- Philip (cf. Ac 6:5)
7) How did the multitudes respond? Why? (6)
- They heeded the things spoken by Philip
- Because of the miracles he did
8) What kind of miracles did Philip perform? (7)
- Casting out unclean spirits, healing the paralyzed and lame
9) Who had the Samaritans previously heeded? (9-11)
- Simon the sorcerer
10) What things did Philip preach that the Samaritans believed? (12)
- The kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ
11) How did the Samaritans respond to Philip's preaching? (12)
- With faith and baptism
12) Who else believed and was baptized? (13)
- Simon the sorcerer
13) Who was sent to Samaria by the apostles? Why? (14-16)
- Peter and John; that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit
14) How was the Holy Spirit imparted to the Samaritans? (17-18)
- By the laying on of the apostles' hands
15) What did Simon try to do? (18-19)
- Purchase the ability to impart the Spirit by the laying on of hands
16) Why did Peter refuse and then rebuke Simon for his offer? (20-23)
- Thinking that the gift of God could be purchased with money
- His heart was not right; he was poisoned by bitterness and bound by
iniquity
17) What did Peter tell Simon to do in order to be forgiven? What did
Simon ask? (22)
- To repent and pray; for Peter to pray for him
18) As Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, what did they do? (25)
- Preached the gospel in many of the villages of the Samaritans
19) Where was Philip told to go next? Who told him? (26)
- To go south along the road from Jerusalem to Gaza; an angel of the
Lord
20) Who did Philip see? What was the man doing? (27-28)
- An Ethiopian eunuch, the treasurer of Queen Candace
- Returning from Jerusalem where he gone to worship, sitting in his
chariot and reading from Isaiah
21) Who told Philip to overtake the chariot? (29)
- The Spirit
22) When Philip heard him reading, what did he ask? How did the eunuch
respond? (30-31)
- "Do you understand what you are reading?"
- "How can I, unless someone guides me?"
23) Where in Isaiah was the eunuch reading? (32-33)
- Isaiah 53:7-8
24) What did the eunuch want to know? (34)
- Was Isaiah writing of himself, or some other man
25) Beginning from that passage, what did Philip preach? (35)
- Jesus
26) When they came to water, what did the eunuch ask? How did Philip
respond? (36-37)
- "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"
- "If you believe with all your heart, you may."
27) How did Philip baptize the eunuch? (38-39)
- They both went down into the water, Philip baptized him, they both
came up out of the water
28) What happened when they came up out of the water? What did the
eunuch do? (39)
- The Spirit caught Philip away, so the eunuch saw him no more
- He went on his way rejoicing
29) Where was Philip found? What did he then do? (40)
- Azotus; preached in all the cities until he came to Caesarea
The Samaritans (8:4-25)
INTRODUCTION
1. With the preaching of the gospel and its reception by many, the
Lord's church grew rapidly in Jerusalem...
a. 3000 souls were added after the first gospel sermon - Ac 2:41
b. Following the second sermon, the number grew to about 5000
- Ac 4:4
2. What was the gospel message that sparked the conversion of so many?
a. One that centered on Jesus Christ, proclaiming His death,
resurrection, exaltation, and eventual return!
b. A message that expected the following response from those who
heard...
1) Faith in Jesus as both Lord and Christ - e.g., Ac 2:36
2) Repentance from sin - e.g., Ac 2:38; 3:19
3) Turning to God, with baptism for the remission of sins as the
first step - e.g., Ac 2:38,41; 3:19
3. Preaching this message was not without controversy...
a. Some took issue with the message of Christ's resurrection
- Ac 4:1-3
b. Persecution against the church in Jerusalem became progressively
worse
1) Peter and John were at first simply threatened - Ac 4:21
2) Soon after all the apostles were beaten - Ac 5:40
3) Then Steven was stoned to death - Ac 6:8-7:60
c. Steven's death led to widespread persecution, and the dispersal
of many Christians from Jerusalem - Ac 8:1-3
4. But as Christians were scattered abroad, so was the gospel!
a. The Christians went everywhere, "preaching the word" - Ac 8:4
b. Among those was the evangelist Philip, whose preaching provides
us with two examples of conversion
1) "The Samaritans" - Ac 8:4-25
2) "The Ethiopian Eunuch" - Ac 8:26-40
[In this study, we shall examine "The Samaritans", whose example of
conversion and follow-up is one of the more challenging ones found in
the Acts...]
I. THE CONVERSION OF THE SAMARITANS
A. PHILIP'S MINISTRY AT SAMARIA - Ac 8:4-13
1. He preached Christ to them - Ac 8:5
2. Multitudes heeded the things he spoke - Ac 8:6a-12
a. Having heard and seen the miracles which he did
1) Such as casting out unclean spirits, healing the
paralyzed and lame
2) Though previously they had been impressed by a sorcerer
named Simon
b. They believed Philip as he preached about the kingdom of
God and the name of Jesus Christ
c. They were baptized, both men and women
3. Even Simon the sorcerer was converted - Ac 8:13
a. He too believed and was baptized
b. He continued with Philip, amazed at the miracles and signs
Philip was doing
B. THE FOLLOW-UP BY PETER AND JOHN - Ac 8:14-25
1. The apostles sent Peter and John upon hearing of the
conversion of the Samaritans - Ac 8:14
2. Peter and John imparted the Spirit to the Samaritans - Ac 8:
15-17
a. While the Samaritans had been baptized, they had not
received the Spirit
b. Through prayer and the laying on of the apostles' hands,
they received the Spirit
3. This power to impart the Spirit became a stumblingblock for
Simon - Ac 8:18-24
a. He sought to buy the ability to impart the Spirit - Ac 8:
18-19
b. Peter rebukes him strongly, and calls upon him to repent
- Ac 8:20-23
c. Simon asks Peter to pray for him - Ac 8:24
4. Peter and John preached the gospel in many villages in Samaria
on their return to Jerusalem - Ac 8:25
[The example of the Samaritans' is really quite remarkable, and for
several reasons. This is the first preaching of the gospel to those not
fully Jews (Samaritans were half-breeds, and disdained by most Jews;
cf. Jn 4:9). But also because of the questions that are raised, some
of which I hope to address as I offer...]
II. SOME OBSERVATIONS
A. CONCERNING THE CONVERSION OF THE SAMARITANS...
1. The gospel message preached by Philip
a. We are told that he preached "Christ" - Ac 8:5
1) This undoubtedly included Christ's death, resurrection,
etc.
2) I.e., the same things Peter preached about Christ in
Acts 2 and 3
b. We are told that he preached "the things concerning the
kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" - Ac 8:12
1) What things concerning "the kingdom of God"?
a) John, Jesus, and the apostles had earlier taught the
kingdom was "at hand" - cf. Mt 3:1; 4:17; 10:7
b) Later, Paul and John wrote of the kingdom as present
- Co 1:13; Re 1:9
-- As the expression "kingdom of God" literally means
the "reign of God", it is likely that Philip spoke of
the rule and reign of God now present in the Person
of His Son Jesus Christ - cf. Mt 28:18; Ac 2:36; 5:31
2) What things concerning "the name of Jesus Christ"?
a) Most likely that repentance and remission of sins
were now being proclaimed in His name - Lk 24:47
b) And from the response of the Samaritans, we conclude
that included whatever Jesus commanded - cf. Ac 8:12
with Mk 16:16
2. The response of the Samaritans
a. Note first that they "heeded the things spoken by Philip",
implying obedience on their part - Ac 8:6; cf. He 5:9
b. Later we are told that they "believed" and "were baptized"
- Ac 8:12
1) Like Peter, Philip faithfully fulfilled the Lord's
commission - Mk 16:15-16
2) Heeding the things spoken by Philip therefore included
baptism
B. CONCERNING THE CONVERSION OF SIMON THE SORCERER...
1. Was Simon truly converted?
a. Many deny that he was, because of what happened afterward
b. But Luke (the author) says Simon "also believed"
1) I.e., he believed just as the others did
2) Therefore his faith was just as real as the rest of the
Samaritans
c. While there may be many fanciful traditions concerning
Simon outside of the Bible, the indication of Scripture is
that his conversion was sincere
2. Simon is an example of how fallen Christians can be restored
a. He was told to "repent" and "pray" - Ac 8:22
b. When a Christian sins, therefore, he needs not to be
baptized again, but to repent and pray, confessing his
sins- cf. 1 Jn 1:9
-- Simon reveals how quickly Christians can be overtaken in sin,
but also how they can obtain forgiveness and be restored!
C. CONCERNING THE FOLLOW-UP BY PETER AND JOHN...
1. Many questions are raised by what we read...
a. Why is it that the Samaritan's received baptism by Philip,
but not the Spirit?
b. What does it mean "that they might receive the Holy
Spirit"?
c. What did the apostles have that Philip did not?
-- The challenge is to reconcile what we read here with what
is revealed elsewhere
2. As I seek to understand this passage, the following
observations are made...
a. Whatever Luke meant to "receive the Holy Spirit"...
1) It required the apostles' laying on of hands
a) Philip could not impart it, making it necessary for
the apostles to come
b) Simon could see that it was through the apostles'
laying on of hands the Spirit was given - Ac 8:18
2) It was something visible or audible
a) It caught Simon's attention, who sought to buy the
ability to impart it
b) It was clearly something miraculous (perhaps speaking
in tongues)
-- But was it actually the Spirit Himself, or something the
Spirit gives?
b. Elsewhere we learn that one receives the Spirit upon
obedience to the Gospel
1) As indicated in Ac 2:38; 5:32; 1 Co 12:13; Ep 1:13-14;
Ga 4:6
2) Whose indwelling is necessary to being a Christian - Ro
8:9-11
-- Since the Samaritans had been baptized (Ac 8:12,16), I
believe it is fair to assume that they had received the
Spirit Himself as any Christian would
3. Therefore I offer the following explanation...
a. The expression "receive the Holy Spirit" is a metonymy for
receiving a miraculous gift from the Spirit
1) Metonymy - A figure of speech in which one word or
phrase is substituted for another with which it is
closely associated
2) E.g., as in Washington for the United States government
or of the sword for military power
-- What the Samaritans had not received, then, were any
miraculous spiritual gifts that the Spirit bestowed
- cf. 1 Co 12:1-11
b. The apostles had the ability to impart spiritual gifts
1) Paul hoped to impart such a gift to the Romans - Ro 1:11
2) He had imparted such a gift to Timothy - 2 Ti 1:6
c. The ability to impart spiritual gifts was limited to the
apostles, which explains:
1) Why Philip could perform miracles, but not pass the
ability on to others
a) The apostles had laid hands on him earlier - Ac 6:5-6
b) Like Steven, Philip could then do miracles - Ac 6:7;
8:6-7
2) Why it was necessary for Peter and John to come
a) If spiritual gifts came simply by praying, why send
for Peter and John?
b) It took an apostle for the spiritual gifts to be
imparted
d. It was this ability to impart spiritual gifts that Simon
wanted to buy!
1) He was not content to receive a spiritual gift
2) He wanted that apostolic ability to impart spiritual
gifts! - Ac 8:19
CONCLUSION
1. The conversion of the Samaritans is simple and straightforward...
a. We learn that when Christ is preached, believed, and heeded,
people will be baptized - cf. Ac 8:5-6,12
b. What we read in verse 12 is as simple and direct as the
commission under which Philip preached:
"But when they believed Philip as he preached the things
concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,
both men and women were baptized." - Ac 8:12
"He that believes and is baptized shall be saved" - Mk 16:16
2. The follow-up of the Samaritans may be challenging...
a. It has been described as one of the most extraordinary passages
in Acts
1) It has been used to teach all sorts of conflicting doctrine
related to confirmation, sanctification, and spiritual gifts
2) We must be careful not to draw conclusions that are contrary
to the rest of the Scriptures
b. But we can still glean important lessons concerning conversion
1) Conversion requires that one "heed" (obey) the Word of God
2) Such obedience involves believing and being baptized
3) Conversion does not remove the temptation to sin
4) When we fall, restoration does not require re-baptism, but
repentance and prayer
In our next study, we shall follow Philip as he is led by the Spirit to
teach just one individual, a queen's treasurer who is on his way home
from a journey to Jerusalem...
The Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-40)
INTRODUCTION
1. The conversions we have noted so far have involved large numbers of
people...
a. The 3000 at Pentecost - Ac 2:1-41
b. The 2000 on Solomon's Porch - Ac 3:1-4:4
c. The multitudes in Samaria - Ac 8:5-13
2. In each case, the gospel message was basically the same...
a. Christ is proclaimed
b. Responses called for included faith, repentance and baptism
3. Now we have the opportunity to examine the conversion of just one
person...
a. A queen's treasurer, a eunuch from Ethiopia
b. A very religious man, who had traveled a great distance to
worship God
4. With the account of the conversion of "The Ethiopian Eunuch"...
a. We not only have the opportunity to confirm what we have already
learned
b. We can also glean a few more points regarding Biblical
conversions
[Let's start with a reading and review of the basic facts related to
this conversion...]
I. THE CONVERSION OF THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH
A. PHILIP IS SENT TO THE EUNUCH - Ac 8:26-29
1. An angel of the Lord tells Philip to go toward Gaza - Ac 8:26
2. On the way there is a man sitting in his chariot - Ac 8:27-28
a. A eunuch of Ethiopia, in charge of the treasury of Queen
Candace
b. Returning home from having gone to worship in Jerusalem
c. Reading from the prophet Isaiah
3. The Spirit tells Philip to overtake the chariot - Ac 8:29
B. PHILIP PREACHES JESUS TO HIM - Ac 8:30-35
1. Hearing the eunuch reading Isaiah, Philip asks if he
understands - Ac 8:30
2. The eunuch asks Philip to help him - Ac 8:31-34
a. He expresses a need for someone to guide him, and invites
Philip to sit with him
b. The scripture under consideration is Isa 53:7-8
1) Which speaks of one led as a sheep to the slaughter
2) Which describes one whose life is taken from the earth
c. The eunuch asks if Isaiah was speaking of himself, or of
someone else
3. Beginning with that Scripture, Philip preaches Jesus to him
- Ac 8:35
C. THE EUNUCH IS BAPTIZED - Ac 8:36-40
1. The eunuch expresses a desire to be baptized - Ac 8:36-37
a. Seeing some water along the way, he wonders what would
hinder him from being baptized
b. Philip replies that if he believes with all his heart, he
may
c. The eunuch confesses his faith in Jesus as the Son of God
2. Philip baptizes the eunuch - Ac 8:38-40
a. Stopping the chariot, both Philip and the eunuch go down
into the water
b. Philip then baptizes him
c. When they come up out of the water, the Spirit catches
Philip away
d. Though seeing Philip no more, the eunuch goes on his way
rejoicing
e. Philip is found at Azotus, and continues preaching in the
cities until he arrives at Caesarea
[One might properly wonder why the Spirit saw it fit to lead Luke to
spend so much time describing the conversion of just one person.
Clearly there must be important lessons or principles that we can glean
from this historical account.
With that in mind, let me offer..]
II. SOME OBSERVATIONS
A. CONCERNING PROSPECTS FOR THE GOSPEL...
1. The Ethiopian eunuch was a very religious man
a. He had traveled a great distance to worship in Jerusalem
b. He was reading from the Scriptures when Philip found him
2. In fact, most examples of conversions involved very devout
people
a. The 3000 at Pentecost, who had traveled to observe the
feast day
b. Later, we will study the conversions of such people as:
1) Paul, the Pharisee zealous for the Law
2) Cornelius, the devout Gentile who feared God and prayed
always
3) Lydia, a woman who met every Sabbath to pray with others
3. From this we can glean the following...
a. Just because one is religious does not mean they are saved!
b. Religious people are often good prospects for the gospel!
1) They already fear God and respect His authority
2) As such, they simply need to be shown "the way of God
more accurately" - cf. Ac 18:26
c. Those who are truly seeking God's will, will one day have
an opportunity to hear the gospel and obey it!
-- This does not discount the fact that rank sinners are often
receptive (cf. the Corinthians, 1 Co 6:9-11), but good people
are usually more open to the Word
B. CONCERNING WHAT IT MEANS TO PREACH JESUS...
1. From Isaiah's "quotation" (Isa 52:13-53:11), we know it
involves teaching:
a. How Jesus died for our sins - cf. 1 Co 15:1-3
b. How Jesus has been exalted by God - cf. Ac 2:36; 3:13;
5:30-31
2. From the Eunuch's "question" (Ac 8:36), we know it includes
stressing:
a. The importance of baptism
1) Why did the eunuch ask, "What hinders me from being
baptized?"
2) Perhaps because Philip told him...
a) What the Lord had said - Mk 16:15-16
b) The purpose of baptism, as expressed by Peter and
Paul - Ac 2:38; Ro 6:3-4; 1 Pe 3:21
-- As we have seen and will see, baptism is the expected
response when one believes in Jesus
b. The immediacy of baptism
1) Why did the eunuch asked to be baptized right then
("See, here is water.")? 2) Perhaps because baptism's purpose is such that one does
not want to delay
a) It is "for the remission of sins" - Ac 2:38
b) It is to have one's sins "washed away" - Ac 22:16
c) It is an appeal for a clear conscience - 1 Pe 3:21
-- Indeed, in every example of conversion found in Acts,
people were baptized immediately, after just one lesson!
3. From Philip's "qualification" (Ac 8:37), we know it requires
explaining:
a. The necessity of faith in Jesus
1) One must believe in Jesus as the Son of God - Jn 8:24;
20:30-31
2) Without faith, God won't do His work in our baptism
- cf. Co 2:12
b. The necessity of whole-heartedness in our faith
1) God has always required whole-heartedness - cf. Mt 22:37
2) Without it, even those saved are in danger of falling
away - cf. He 3:12-14
-- Unless "you believe with all your heart", you are not a
proper subject for baptism!
C. CONCERNING BAPTISM...
1. We see that baptism involves water
a. When the eunuch was baptized...
1) "...both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water"
- Ac 8:38
2) "...he baptized him" - Ac 8:38
3) "...they came up out of the water" - Ac 8:39
b. Later, we see the same truth expressed by Peter - cf. Ac
10:47-48
2. We see that baptism involves a burial in water
a. Both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water - Ac
8:38
1) If sprinkling satisfies the meaning of baptism, it seems
strange that Philip would need to go down into the water
2) Why get wet, when all he needed to do was get a handful