Lesson 12 : The Scattering of the Church & the Preaching of Philip, the Evangelist (8:1-40)

1. Lesson 12:The Scattering of the Church & thePreaching of Philip, the Evangelist (8:1-40)

2. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • “A great persecution arose against the church…and they were all scattered” (8:1). • Enemies of the church tried threatening, imprisoning, scourging, and now murder. • The scattering of the church “to Judea and Samaria” fulfilled 1:8. • Saul, the persecutor, is introduced in this context, ravaging the church (7:58-8:3). II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Scattering Christians ought to be like scattering seed (8:1, 4). • The scattering of Christians (& killing Stephen) did not stop the growth of Christianity. • Rather, wherever the Christians were scattered, the seed of the gospel was scattered.

3. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Philip was prominent in taking the gospel to Samaria (8:4-25). • “Those who were scattered went everywhere (incl. Samaria) preaching the word” (8:4). • While Samaria was north of Jerusalem, it was “down” (lower) in elevation (8:5, 15). • There was long-term, deep-seated animosity between Jews & Samaritans (cf. Jn. 4). • Philip “preached Christ” in Samaria, confirming his message with numerous miracles, and multitudes were converted to Christ (8:5-13). • The apostles imparting the Holy Spirit sparked Simon’s material instincts (8:14-24).

4. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • To “preach the word” is parallel to and inclusive of preaching “Christ” (8:5), “things concerning the kingdom of God” (8:12), “the name of Jesus Christ” (8:12), “the word of the Lord” (8:25), “the gospel” (8:25), and “Jesus” (8:35). • The preaching of Christ (and the N.T.) involves commands that must be obeyed (8:6). • The people “heeded” (8:6, 35-36; 16:14) when they believed and obeyed (cf. 8:12). • The people “heeded the things spoken” and did so “with one accord.” • True miracles of God are unmistakable, irrefutable & un-reproducible (8:5-13). • When unclean spirits were cast out and lame persons were healed, that was of God! • The conversion of Simon was testimony to the genuineness of Divine miracles (8:13). • They must never be demeaned to the level of “magic” or “sorcery.”

5. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Conversions to Christ in the New Testament all looked the same (because they were)! • Jews on Pentecost “heard,” believed and “were baptized” (2:37, 41). • The Samaritans “hearing,” “believed” and “were baptized” (8:6, 12). • Simon the Sorcerer “believed” and “was baptized” (8:12). • The Ethiopian eunuch heard, believed and was “baptized” (8:35-39). • All heard, believed & obeyed the same. How can it be different today? • Miraculous power of the Holy Spirit could only be imparted by the 12 apostles (8:14-19). • Upon baptism, the Samaritans received forgiveness & the gift of the Spirit (cf. 2:38). • They didn’t have the miraculous power of the Spirit until Peter & John laid hands (8:17). • Only through the laying on of apostle’s hands (and no other) could the miraculous gift (and powers) of the Holy Spirit be imparted (8:17-19), which demonstrated a limited distribution of the power & a limited duration (only as long as the apostles would live).

6. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • God has two laws of pardon: one for the non-Christian and one for the Christian. • Once a Christian is saved, he is not then “always saved.” He can sin and be lost. • Simon, who was a child of God (8:13), erred and was in need of forgiveness again (8:22). • For a Christian to be saved (pardoned) from sin, he must “Repent and pray” (8:22).

7. I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Philip was sent to convert the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-40). • Angels were never used to tell man how to be saved but only man (cf. 2 Cor. 4:7). • A convert to Judaism was returning from Jerusalem to his home/work in Ethiopia. • The Ethiopian was reading aloud Isaiah 53 & Philip joined him to teach Jesus to him. • Philip baptized the eunuch in a body of water along the chariot’s pathway.

8. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • The providence of God is a marvel to see at work (26-40). • In Acts 8, Philip met an Ethiopian riding in a chariot. • The Lord sent Philip from populous Samaria to an uninhabited roadside (8:26). • The Lord knew there was one man whose heart was searching and ripe for harvest. • In order to have Philip meet Ethiopian riding in chariot, the Lord: • Had to know when Ethiopian would leave Jeru & speed of travel. • Had to know precise time & place He wanted the two men to meet. • Had to know exactly when Ethiopian would be reading Isaiah 53. • Had to know Philip’s speed of travel from Samaria to destination. • Had to know sufficient water along the roadside at needed time. • Had to send Philip at least one full day before Ethiopian left Jeru. • The Lord sent Philip to this remote location for only one man to be saved (8:40).

9. II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • It is impossible to “preach Jesus” without preaching the necessity of baptism (8:35-36). • Only exclusive revelation about Philip’s sermon: he used Isaiah 53 to preach Jesus. • The first recorded response of the Ethiopian to the sermon: I want to be baptized! • Why now? Why here? Because his salvation hinged on it! Only then could he rejoice! • Baptism was part of every completed gospel sermon to sinners in Acts! This is known either by reading the words of the sermon itself or by reading the results! • Baptism is by immersion (8:38-39). • They “both…went down into the water” and “came up out of the water” (8:38-39). • The action & object of the verb will not allow for pouring/sprinkling—only immersion. • The Greek verb itself (baptizo) means “to dip, immerse, submerge, plunge.”

10. III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives • Regardless what happens to us, may we go “everywhere preaching the word”! • Let us build our faith to be strong enough to withstand any persecution brought on us! • Let us decide we will be used by God in any place we find ourselves & every place we go! • We can all “preach Jesus”! That is what was preached to us, so that we could be saved!