The early church was facing both major victories and big challenges at the same time. Many people were turning to Christ, signs and wonders were happening, but Jerusalem was becoming a hotbed of persecution, mostly because of one man’s strong zealousness for what he believed was God’s will.
Acts 8:1-3
And Saul approved of his execution. (the execution of Stephen)
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Saul, who later converted to faith and became known as Paul, had a lot of zeal for God. I believe he genuinely thought he was doing the right thing for God. But God saw his heart, yet the Lord allowed the persecution to happen. Many who came to faith because of this persecution left Jerusalem and Judea and took the Gospel to other regions, like Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world (sound familiar).
This chapter mainly focuses on deacon Philip, and this is where his story begins. Remember, these guys have only been saved for a short time, and they’ve been deacons for even less time, but they already have a heart for trusting God and honoring Jesus.
Acts 8:4-8
Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
Philip shared the good news of Jesus’ life, hope, death, and resurrection. Then, this young man, who saw his friend Stephen murdered because of his faith, took his faith to Samaria. As the qualifications for a deacon stated, he was full of the Spirit and wisdom, and his reputation shone brightly. People were healed, delivered, filled with joy, and coming to Jesus! He was only a deacon
Acts 8:9-13
But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
Simon performed all kinds of magic, deceiving people. It is similar to other forms of witchcraft today—like tarot card readers, astrologers, and psychics—whose goal is to draw people to them, not to God. The scripture describes witchcraft as a work of the flesh. In 1 Samuel 28, we see the story of the witch of Endor. Her stick was calling up dead relatives, but when an actual dead person, Samuel, appeared, she screamed and freaked out because she had never actually done what she had faked all along.
Simon made himself look powerful, but was not!
Acts 8: 14-17
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Apparently, Philip had led them to the Lord; his focus was on evangelism. He had a gift for it. When you come to Christ, you not only receive Christ but also the Father and the Holy Spirit. However, you do not receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit with power unless you want it. You can receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit at salvation, but I believe you must understand what that means so you can receive Him fully. Peter and John explained, and then they received.
Simon believed and was baptized. But THEN not fully sanctified…..
Acts 8:18-25
18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
Just like with Ananias and Sapphira, to maintain the church’s purity and integrity, the consequences of sin are severe for Simon. The challenge here is that Simon doesn’t seem to be asking for the Holy Spirit’s filling for himself but wants to buy the power so he can be seen as great again. He also doesn’t repent; he simply wants to avoid the consequences of his sin. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are free, and the Lord wants us to have them, but our hearts must always be right. Hundreds may have been filled while Peter and John were there; we don’t know, but Simon could have been among them if his heart had been right. It is the power of God to help reach a broken world… Peter and John didn’t waste any time; they kept sharing the Gospel along the way.
Now back to Philip
Acts 8:26
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.
The Jews saw the desert as a place where all evil exists and happens, so when the Lord sent Philip there, it was a test of his obedience. He chose to follow the Lord’s command.
Acts 8: 27
And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship.
There are two legends that might explain why this Ethiopian treasurer was visiting Jerusalem and why God would send Philip to teach him. Both legends involve the ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat. In one story, when the Queen of Sheba (from Ethiopia) visited Solomon, she became pregnant, had a child, and at age 19, that child returned to Ethiopia bringing the ark and the mercy seat with him. This is probably not true because the ark appears in Jerusalem after this supposed event; the Ethiopians explain this by saying the ark in Jerusalem was a copy. The second legend states that during King Manasseh’s reign, to protect the ark from destruction, a group of Levites took the ark to Egypt, where it remained until Pharaoh Neco (an Ethiopian) was reigning during King Josiah’s time. In 2 Chronicles chapter 35, there’s an allusion suggesting the ark might have been missing from the tabernacle when Josiah asks the Levites to return it. It doesn’t say whether they did, but in the same chapter, Neco is shown heading to war against the Babylonians with the Assyrians. On his way, Josiah confronts him without any obvious reason. Neco responds that God has sent him to do this, yet Josiah refuses to stop and is killed in battle. This raises questions about how a Pharaoh of Egypt hears from God and why. It would make sense if the Ark of the Covenant was truly in the hands of the Egyptians. The legend also states that the Ethiopians still house it in the city of Aksum. Was Josiah considering fighting Neco because Neco possessed the ark and Josiah wanted it returned so true worship could happen in Jerusalem? We don’t know if there’s any truth to this story, but it would make sense because Josiah’s decision to battle Neco is confusing.
So, how does all of this make sense in the context of the treasure from Ethiopia going to Jerusalem? The legend states that when the Messiah returns, the Ethiopians are to bring what they have to him as an offering. Was the treasurer heading to Jerusalem because he had heard about the Messiah? He went to worship him, only to find that he had been killed. On his way home, he was reading from Isaiah, chapters 52 and 53, and God had a plan to help him understand.
Acts 8: 28-39
and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
Here are a couple of points to help you understand this passage. First, the eunuch could not have traveled alone because he was the treasurer; he would have had a large entourage with him. He was a very important man in Ethiopia, so there would have been multiple chariots and soldiers accompanying him. Second, calling this man from Ethiopia a eunuch does not necessarily mean he was physically a eunuch. The term “eunuch” became a title for someone in a royal or powerful role. In the book of Leviticus, a eunuch is not allowed in the temple, so if he were physically a eunuch, he would not have been permitted to enter the temple to worship.
He is reading this passage about the suffering “servant,” and Philip has the opportunity to explain to him that this is talking about Jesus. The passage states that Philip explained Jesus to him so the Ethiopian could understand that the Messiah was indeed crucified for a reason—to forgive our sins and to allow us a place with Him in heaven. The Ethiopian grasped the story and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, then asked to be baptized. Immediately after baptism, Philip has accomplished his purpose, so God takes him north of Samaria to continue preaching the gospel.
Ethiopian takes the message to his country, marking the beginning of the Ethiopian church. Today, Ethiopia is surrounded by Muslim nations, yet it remains a Christian nation. Currently, the Ethiopian government still guards something in the city of Aksum, waiting for the return of Jesus!
Acts 8:40
But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Can you imagine God just picks you up and carries you 24 miles? How would that freak you out? Philip just kept right on preaching Jesus. Philip did not develop a flying ministry nor did he stay focused on what God just did for him, but he stayed focused on what God called him to do. God wants to do miracles in your life; He wants to do signs and wonders for you. However, we are to remember that your calling in life is to use the gifts, skills, talents, and abilities God has given you to advance the kingdom and to always be sharing Jesus.
So what can we take away from this
- The Gospel is for everyone. Philip was sent to the Samaritans and the Ethiopians. Jesus wants everyone to hear the truth. There may be people in your life you don’t think deserve the gospel message, but God loves them and wants them to hear the truth.
- The things in life that seem bad, God causes to work for good. Persecution came, and people had to leave, but it was allowed so the Good News could reach everyone. Your life is in God’s hands. Trust Him that even the difficulties of life, He has a plan to use them for your good.
- The Holy Spirit cannot be bought, controlled, or imitated. Spiritual gifts and power are given freely by God to those who are surrendered to Him.
- Obedience and faith open the way for God to move through us. Philip kept saying, “yes” to God and more lives were changed
Let’s say “yes” to God today and see what happens! Let’s say “yes” even when life gets difficult and watch how God can turn those moments for our good! Let’s expect God to move in and through us simply because He loves us.