Acts 8: The Gospel Scatters and Spreads
Persecution scatters believers, and the message reaches Samaria and an Ethiopian official.
Summary
A wave of persecution, led in part by Saul, scatters the believers from Jerusalem — but everywhere they go, they share the message. Philip preaches in Samaria with great joy, and many respond, including a sorcerer named Simon, who is later rebuked for trying to buy the Spirit's power. Then, directed by God, Philip meets an Ethiopian official reading the prophet Isaiah, explains how the passage points to Jesus, and baptizes him. The chapter shows the good news crossing ethnic and social boundaries.
Main Characters
- Philip — Proclaims Jesus in Samaria and to the Ethiopian official on the desert road.
- Saul — Continues to persecute the church, scattering believers from Jerusalem.
- Simon the sorcerer — Believes but is rebuked for trying to buy God's power.
- The Ethiopian official — A foreign seeker who believes and is baptized.
Key Verse
Acts 8:4 (WEB)
Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word.
Lessons Learned
- God can use even hardship and scattering to spread his message.
- The gospel crosses ethnic, cultural, and social boundaries.
- God's power and grace cannot be bought or controlled for personal gain.
- God meets sincere seekers and sends people to help them understand.
- How does God bring good out of the persecution in this chapter?
- What does Simon's mistake reveal about wrong motives in faith?
- Why is the conversion of the Ethiopian official so significant?
- Philip “began with that very passage” — how can we meet people where they are?
- Where have you seen God open an unexpected door for his message?