Acts 8:1–25 - BibleStudy.ph

These are the original teaching notes from this passage.

Standing up…
- History Repeats…
  - STEPHEN stood before the Sanhedrin – with two FALSE accusations against him…
  - That Jesus would CHANGE the customs of Moses – Matthew 5:17
  - And that he taught Jesus would DESTROY the Temple – John 2:21
  - For his defense – Stephen gave them a HISTORY lesson [three parts]
  - Showing them they had ALWAYS been a REBELLIOUS people!
- The Temple…
  - Stephen then pointed out the TEMPLE was just STONE – it was NOT where God lived…
  - Israel thought because the TEMPLE stood in Jerusalem – God was with them…
  - But because their FAITH was in the Temple – it was in the WRONG place!
- Death of Stephen…
  - He called them stiff-necked – uncircumcised of heart – always resisting the Holy Spirit…
  - Their fathers had killed the prophets who spoke about Jesus – they killed Christ…
  - When the men heard this – they were cut to the heart [conviction]
  - Shouting and plugging their ears – they ran and Stephen and stoned him…
  - But Stephen looked up and saw Jesus STANDING at the right hand of the Father!
1^st – Persecution… vs. 1-4
- 1^st – Sorrow… vs. 2
  - Devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him!
  - After the death of Stephen – men from the church came and BURIED him…
  - But his LOSS was felt by the whole church – there was great [μέγας] LAMENTATION…
  - LAMENTATION [noun] – from the verb [κόπτω] – to beat your chest!
  - When we lose someone we LOVE – the LOSS is real…
  - But for believers there is HOPE – we know DEATH is NOT the end – I Thessalonians 4:13
  - I love how the Bible describes DEATH for us as going to SLEEP – Acts 7:60
  - Because if someone goes to SLEEP – they will wake up [and see the Lord] – II Corinthians 5:8
  - Therefore – though we are SAD – we also REJOICE – knowing we will see them again!
- 2^nd – Fulfilling the command… vs. 1, 4
  - That day… vs. 1
  - At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem!
  - Beginning on the DAY [ἡμέρα] when Stephen was buried…
  - A great [μέγας] PERSECUTION [διωγμός] began against the CHURCH [ἐκκλησία]
  - Up until this time those who followed Jesus Christ had been mostly ignored…
  - The Apostles had been arrested on a couple of occasions – but always let go…
  - But now the enemy was taking the gloves off – no more playing nice [Gamaliel] – Acts 5:38
  - He decided it was time to try and DESTROY the CHURCH!
  - Scattered… vs. 1
  - They were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria – except the apostles!
  - The RESULT of the persecution – was ALL [πᾶς] of the believers were SCATTERED…
  - SCATTERED [διασπείρω] – like a farmer sowing seeds all over the ground…
  - The GOSPEL message was spread throughout all of Judea and Samaria!
  - Acts 1:8 – “You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria!”
  - Jesus commanded the Apostles to go out into the whole world…
  - But up to this point the church had NOT moved beyond Jerusalem…
  - It is very likely that the disciples would NEVER have left to spread the Gospel…
  - So God allowed the PERSECUTION to get the Church moving [except the Apostles]!
  - Preaching… vs. 4
  - Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word!
  - Therefore [οὖν] as a RESULT of the PERSECUTION those who were SCATTERED [διασπείρω]
  - Went EVERYWHERE preaching the GOSPEL [εὐαγγελίζω] of Jesus [ὸν λόγον]!
  - Jim Eliot was a missionary in Ecuador in the 1950s…
  - The very tribe he was trying to share the Gospel with killed him…
  - You would think the DEATH of a missionary would hinder the work of God…
  - A man is NOT fool to give up what he cannot keep – to GAIN what he will never loose…
  - Jim understood it was NOT about having an easy life – but sharing ETERNAL life…
  - His wife went back into that tribe – and many of them received Jesus…
  - And when news of his death came out – thousands more signed up to be missionaries!
  - Sometimes God needs to shake us up and remind us – what life really is about…
  - There is a world full of people who do NOT know Jesus – a world going to hell…
  - We need to seize the moment – tell people about Jesus Christ!
- 3^rd – Saul… vs. 1,3
  - Ambition… vs. 1
  - Now Saul was consenting to his death!
  - Saul was [imperfect] PLEASED [from the root – εὐδοκέω] at the death of Stephen…
  - SAUL [שָׁאוּל] – one who SEEKS approval – his name defined his character in his early years!
  - Much like his name sake [King Saul] – Saul was out to PLEASE men…
  - He appears to have been full of AMBITION – wanting to become a great LEADER in Israel…
  - And he saw the PERSECUTION of the church as his ticket to a higher position!
  - Philippians 3:6 – “[Because of his] zeal [he was] persecuting the church.”
  - Prison… vs. 3
  - As for Saul – he made havoc of the church entering every house.
  - And dragging off men and women – committing them to prison!
  - His ZEAL led him to DESPISE [imperfect] the church…
  - He would go from house to house – dragging both men and women into PRISON!
  - Many years later Paul would REGRET his AMBITION…
  - He would see the FOOLISHNESS of chasing after POSITION!
  - Philippians 3:8 – “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have… counting it all as [manure].” [NLT]
  - We live in a world that is consumed by AMBITION – self exaltation…
  - But all of it is POINTLESS – because NONE of it lasts…
  - The only thing that matters is that we KNOW Jesus!
2^nd – Revival in Samaria… vs. 5-8
- 1^st – Willing to go… vs. 5
  - One of the seven…
  - Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them!
  - One of those who was SCATTERED by the PERSECUTION – was Philip…
  - Philip was one of the SEVEN men who had been raised up to SERVE [διακονέω] – Acts 6:5
  - Marking the SECOND time we see God using these men in EXCEPTIONAL ways!
  - Whether it is David – who learned humbly watch over sheep – before becoming a KING…
  - Or a Philip – who humbly took out the trash – before becoming an EVANGELIST…
  - The path to being used by the Lord is CONSISTENT – and NOT complicated!
  - There is no room for AMBITION in the church – it is NOT about us getting the attention…
  - We are called to instead PROCLAIM [κηρύσσω] the message of CHRIST [Χριστός]!
  - Samaria…
  - Philip went down to SAMARIA – a place where NO one else seemed to want to go…
  - And when he got there he continually [imperfect] PREACHED Jesus – starting a REVIVAL!
  - After the reign of King Solomon – Israel divided into TWO nations [Northern and Southern]
  - When the Northern Kingdom was conquered by Assyria in 722 B.C. – II Kings 17:23
  - The Assyrians took the Israelites and scattered them to other conquered nations…
  - Then took captives from other nations and placed them in Israel…
  - Wild animals began to kill these foreigners in the Land – II Kings 17:26-27
  - So Assyria allowed some of the Priest of Israel to return to teach the people about the LORD…
  - This MIXED people and religion – became the hated SAMARITANS [after their capitol city]
  - Yet here was Philip – going to share the Gospel – with the ENEMIES of his people!
  - To many BELIEVERS try to stay as far as they can from SINNERS…
  - But we cannot be afraid to go and reach the UNLOVABLE…
  - Jesus ate with prostitutes – He was willing to reach the DIRTIEST sinner…
  - And when we reach out to the LOST with His LOVE – we will find REVIVAL!
- 2^nd – Revival… vs. 6-8
  - Ready to listen… vs. 6
  - The multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip!
  - When Philip arrived in Samaria – the people were VERY willing to LISTEN [imperfect]
  - FIRST – because Jesus had prepared them for the Gospel!
  - Jesus NEEDED [δεῖ] to go through Samaria – to meet a WOMAN at the well – John 4:7
  - He was there to offer her LIVING water – but there was a catch – bring your HUSBAND…
  - She said she had NONE [almost true] – she was married FIVE times – living with the SIXTH…
  - She went and told EVERYONE in SAMARIA – she had met the CHRIST [Χριστός] – John 4:29
  - Laying the foundation for REVIVAL – they just needed someone to come and finish the job!
  - Amazed to see… vs. 6-8
  - Hearing and seeing the miracles which he did!
  - For unclean spirits crying with a loud voice came out of many who were possessed.
  - And many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city!
  - SECOND – they were brought together [ὁμοθυμαδόν]
  - Not just because they wanted to HEAR the conclusion of the message Jesus began…
  - But because they also wanted to SEE the MIRACLES Philip kept doing [imperfect]
  - MANY [πολύς] who were possessed were delivered [crying out]
  - MANY [πολύς] who had a stroke [παραλύω] – or lame – were HEALED [imperfect]
  - As a RESULT of what they HEARD and SAW – there was GREAT [μέγας] Joy!
  - The Gospel message is about ETERNAL life…
  - But people do NOT care what we say – until we show them how much we CARE…
  - There is a practical side of MINISTRY – meeting the needs of those around us…
  - The world is WAITING – people are LOOKING for the answer…
  - And if we come and HELP them – they will run [ὁμοθυμαδόν] to LISTEN!
3^rd – Simon the sorcerer… vs. 9-13
- 1^st – Sorcery… vs. 9-11
  - Someone great… vs. 9
  - But there was a certain man called Simon – who previously practiced sorcery in the city.
  - And astonished the people of Samaria – claiming that he was someone great!
  - [δέ] BUT – there was one man who was a PROBLEM – his name was SIMON [heard]
  - He was quite famous in Samaria for practicing SORCERY [μαγεύω]
  - He AMAZED the people – and told [λέγω] them he was GREAT [μέγας]!
  - Power of God… vs. 10-11
  - To whom they all gave heed from the least to the greatest.
  - Saying: This man is the great power of God!
  - And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time!
  - From the POOREST [μικρός] to the RICHEST [μέγας] – all paid attention to SIMON…
  - Saying – what he did was PROOF he had the POWER [δύναμις] of the GREAT [μέγας] God…
  - They were DECEIVED [imperfect] by him for a long time because of his MAGIC!
  - I had a friend in Bible College who could do MIND blowing magic tricks…
  - Not because he had any POWER – it was just sleight of hand – meant for amusement!
  - Imitation…
  - It is possible that SIMON was just using CHEAP magic tricks…
  - But he also might have been into something far more dangerous…
  - Because satan has the power to IMITATE miracles – he can be very convincing!
  - Matthew 24:24 – “False prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive.”
  - There is a very real danger to following SIGNS and WONDERS…
  - Satan can and will IMITATE God – he can look just like the real thing – II Corinthians 11:14
  - The only way to know the TRUTH – is by being men and women of the Word…
  - Jesus Word is the TRUTH – it is how we know the truth from a lie – II Timothy 2:15
- 2^nd – True power… vs. 12-13
  - Changed lives… vs. 12
  - 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!
  - [δέ] BUT – when the people heard the message of the GOOD new [εὐαγγελίζω]
  - About the KINGDOM of God – Jesus Christ reigning within us – Luke 17:21
  - And about the KING – Jesus Christ who wants to save us…
  - Both MEN and WOMEN put their FAITH in Jesus – and were BAPTIZED [imperfect]
  - This was NOT a small number – the suggestion is that is MULTITUDES were coming to Christ!
  - Following Philip… vs. 13
  - Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip.
  - And was amazed – seeing the miracles and signs which were done!
  - [δέ] BUT – SIMON also believed [aorist] – and was BAPTIZED [aorist]
  - Because he wanted to STAY close to Philip – CLUNG [προσ] with all his strength [καρτερέω]
  - Seeing the GREAT [μέγας] power [δύναμις] and miracles – he was AMAZED [imperfect]!
  - We do not read that there were any debates between the Philip and Simon…
  - There is no reference to a MIRACLE showdown [like Elisha and the prophets of Baal]
  - It was simply through the hearing the Word – people turned from FALSE teachings!
  - Romans 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
  - Faith comes by hearing the WORD – that should encourage us…
  - We do NOT need to disprove false doctrines – or argue with FALSE teachers…
  - We do NOT need to have all the answers in order to share GOSPEL…
  - We ONLY need to know ONE thing – Jesus is the hope of salvation!
  - Romans 1:16 – “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”
4^th – Peter and John… vs. 14-25
- 1^st – Missions Trip… vs. 14-17
  - Accountability… vs. 14
  - When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God.
  - They sent Peter and John to them!
  - When word of the REVIVAL came to the APOSTLES [still in Jerusalem]
  - That finally got them MOVING – they sent [ἀποστέλλω] out Peter and John…
  - This is the FIRST time we see a SHORT term missions trip in the book of Acts!
  - We will be heading out to Japan tomorrow for a few days [short term missions]
  - The plan will be to come along side Calvary Chapel Iwakuni with their VBS…
  - The same church who helped us out with our VBS back in March!
  - Encouragement… vs. 15
  - Who when they had come down – prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit!
  - When Peter and John arrived [came down] – they PRAYED for the new BELIEVERS…
  - Their PRAYER was they MIGHT [subjuntive] receive the HOLY Spirit!
  - There are THREE prepositions that are used to define the WORK of the SPIRIT…
  - PARA [παρά] – the Spirit comes ALONGSIDE and convicts the world of their SIN – John 16:8
  - EN [ἐν] – the Spirit comes and lives INSIDE of the believer – I Corinthians 6:19
  - EPI [ἐπί] – the Spirit comes UPON the believer to give them POWER – Acts 1:18
  - Different gifts… vs. 16-17
  - As yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Jesus.
  - Then they laid hands on them – and they received the Holy Spirit!
  - At the point – the Holy Spirit had not [imperfect] fallen UPON [ἐπί] any of the new believers…
  - [δέ] BUT – they had ONLY been baptized into the NAME of the LORD Jesus…
  - Yet the moment Peter and John laid hand on them – they RECEIVED the SPIRIT…
  - Phillip was an EVANGELIST – but could NOT lay hands for the BAPTISM of Holy Spirit…
  - It took different men – with different GIFTS – to complete the work in Samaria!
  - We all have our place within the body of Christ – a purpose God has given to us…
  - Each role is vital for the CHURCH [the body of Christ] to function properly…
  - One person cannot do it all – God uses many to get His work done!
  - I Corinthians 12:27 – “[We] are the body of Christ and members individually.”
- 2^nd – Not for sale… vs. 18-23
  - Holy Spirit… vs. 18-19
  - When Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Spirit was given.
  - He offered them money saying: Give me this power also.
  - That anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit!
  - SIMON saw the Spirit was GIVEN by the laying on of hands…
  - And he offered Peter and John MONEY – demanding [imperative] he give it to him as well!
  - It is COMMON among magician to this day to SELL their TRICKS…
  - But is shows that SIMON had NO idea what was going on…
  - He thought the APOSTLES were putting on a SHOW – as if they were in control…
  - He did NOT understand it was the SPIRIT who was working through them!
  - The GIFT and calling of God cannot be purchased – or earned…
  - All believers who are filled with the Spirit have at least ONE gift – I Peter 4:10
  - But we do NOT decide what gifts we receive – the Holy Spirit gives them to us!
  - I Corinthians 12:11 – “Holy Spirit alone decides which gift each person should have.”
  - Wrong heart… vs. 20-21
  - Peter said to him: Your money perish with you.
  - Because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money.
  - You have neither part nor portion in this matter for your heart is not right in the sight of God!
  - Peter told SIMON – he better hope [optative] his MONEY could save him from DEATH…
  - Because he assumed he could purchase the GIFT [δωρεά] of God…
  - It showed that SIMON did NOT have a part or position in Jesus [τῷ λόγῳ]
  - The problem was his HEART was [present] NOT right before God…
  - He was still looking for the PRAISE of men – NOT the forgiveness of God!
  - Bitterness… vs. 22-23
  - Repent therefore of this your wickedness.
  - Pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
  - For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity!
  - It was NECESSARY [imperative] for SIMON to repent of this EVIL [κακία]
  - He must [imperative] PLEAD [δέομαι] to God…
  - SINCE [indicative] only God could FORGIVE him of the thoughts of his HEART…
  - Peter could SEE [ὁράω] it – the BITTERNESS that was in him…
  - SIMON was UPSET that Jesus and the Gospel had replaced him…
  - He only wanted the GIFT for his only GLORY – he wanted to be the GREAT one again!
  - Psalm 44:21 – “For [God] knows the secrets of the heart.”
  - While it is true we cannot judge the INTENT of the heart…
  - Only God can see the MOTIVES of the heart – only He can Judge that…
  - We absolutely can JUDGE actions – by comparing them to the Word…
  - When we SEE someone doing in CONTRARY to the Word – we can say it is WRONG!
- 3^rd– Not saved… vs. 24-25
  - Bad Fruit… vs. 24
  - Then Simon answered and said: Pray to the Lord for me.
  - That none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me!
  - Interestingly – SIMEON did not feel that he could PLEAD [δέομαι] with the Lord [κύριος]
  - Therefore – he asked PETER to do it for him…
  - Hoping [subjuntive] that none of the things Peter said would happen…
  - Simon had been BAPTIZED – and professed to BELIEVE in Jesus…
  - But it had only been WORDS – his FRUIT showed there was NO true transformation within!
  - Just because someone is baptized – goes to church – does NOT make them a Christian…
  - It can be hard to tell if someone is a TRUE believer – or just a putting on a show…
  - There must also be good fruit that comes from our lives…
  - Good works that come as a result of Jesus on the inside!
  - James 2:20 – “Do you want to know – O foolish man – that faith without works is dead.”
  - Preaching… vs. 25
  - So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord they returned to Jerusalem.
  - Preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans!
  - After they had given the proof that SIMON was not saved [testimony]
  - And given him the WORD [λόγος] of the Lord [κύριος] – that he needed to repent…
  - They returned to Jerusalem – peaching [εὐαγγελίζω] in the villages of Samaria as they went!