Acts 8:26

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. AND THE (OR 'AN') ANGEL OF THE LORD SPAKE UNTO PHILIP, SAYING, ARISE, AND GO TOWARD THE SOUTH UNTO THE WAY (THAT IS, SO AS TO GET INTO THE WAY) THAT GOETH DOWN FROM JERUSALEM INTO GAZA, WHICH [ hautee (G3778 ), THAT IS, NOT GAZA ITSELF, BUT THE WAY], IS DESERT. Gaza was the southernmost city of Palestine, situated at the border of the desert leading to Egypt. It is mentioned as early as Genesis 10:19; it was allotted to the tribe of Judah; but it was seized and held by the Philistines, and became one of their five principal cities. There was such a road to it, across mount Hebr...

26._And the angel_. Luke passeth over unto a new history, to wit, how the gospel came even unto the Ethiopians. For though he reporteth there was but one man converted unto the faith of Christ, yet because his authority and power was great in all the realm, his faith might spread abroad a sweet smell far and wide. For we know that the gospel grew of small beginnings; and therein appeared the power of the Spirit more plainly, in that one grain of seed did fill a whole country in a small space. Philip is first commanded by the angel to go toward the south; the angel telleth him not to what end. And thus doth God oftentimes use to deal with those that be his, to prove their obedience. He showeth what he will have them to do; he commandeth them to do this or that, but he keepeth the success hidden with himself. Therefore let us be content with the commandment (527) of God alone, although the...

26-40 Philip was directed to go to a desert. Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity to his ministers in very unlikely places. We should study to do good to those we come into company with by travelling. We should not be so shy of all strangers as some affect to be. As to those of whom we know nothing else, we know this, that they have souls. It is wisdom for men of business to redeem time for holy duties; to fill up every minute with something which will turn to a good account. In reading the word of God, we should often pause, to inquire of whom and of what the sacred writers spake; but especially our thoughts should be employed about the Redeemer. The Ethiopian was convinced by the teaching of the Holy Spirit, of the exact fulfilment of the Scripture, was made to understand the nature of the Messiah's kingdom and salvation, and desired to be numbered among the disciples of Christ....

Verse Acts 8:26. _ARISE, AND GO TOWARD THE SOUTH_] How circumstantially particular are these directions! Every thing is so precisely marked that there is no danger of the apostle missing his way. He is to perform some great _duty_; but _what_, he is not informed. The _road_ which he is to take is marked out; but _what_ he is to _do_ in that road, or _how far_ he is to proceed, he is not told! It is GOD who employs him, and requires of him _implicit_ obedience. If he _do_ _his will_, according to the _present direction_, he shall know, by the _issue_, that God hath sent him on an errand worthy of his wisdom and goodness. We have a similar instance of _circumstantial_ _direction_ from God in Acts 9:11: Arise, go into the street called Straight, and i...

AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD - The word “angel” is used in the Scriptures in a great variety of significations. See the notes on Matthew 1:20. Here it has been supposed by some to mean literally a celestial messenger sent from God; others have supposed that it means a “dream”; others a “vision,” etc. The word properly means a “messenger”; and all that it can be shown to signify here is, that the Lord sent a “message” to Philip of this kind. It is most probable, I think, that the passage means that God communicated the message by his Spirit; for in Acts 8:29, Acts 8:39, it is expressly said that “the Spirit” spake to Philip, etc. Thus, in...

EXPOSITION ACTS 8:1 _There arose on that day _for _at that time there was, _A.V._; in _for _at, _A.V. SAUL WAS CONSENTING TO HIS DEATH. St. Paul's repeated reference to this sad episode in his life is very touching (see Acts 22:2,; 1 Corinthians 15:9; 1 Timothy 1:13). (For the word συνευδοκεῖν_, _to consent, see Acts 22:20; Luke 11:48; Rom 1:32;...

AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD SPAKE UNTO PHILIP,.... To inquire who this angel was, whether Michael or Gabriel, or the tutelar angel of Ethiopia, or of the eunuch, or of Philip, is too curious; it was one of the ministering spirits sent forth by Christ, to serve a gracious purpose of his, and for the good of one of the heirs of salvation: SAYING, ARISE; at once, make haste and speed, and quick dispatch; the phrase denotes readiness, alacrity, and expedition: AND GO TOWARD THE SOUTH; the southern point from the city of Samaria, where Philip now was; or to the south of Jerusalem: the parts of Gaza, Lydda, Jamnia, Joppa, c. were called the "south": hence often mention is made of such a Rabbi and such a Rabbi, that he was דרומא, "of the south" k so R. Joshua, who was of Lydda, is said to be of the south l. The Ethiopic version renders it at "noon time", and so the Arabic of De Dieu; as if it r...

Stephen had been stoned to death; but with his latest breath he prayed for his murderers. Then this chapter begins: Acts 8:1. _And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem, and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles._ Saul, having tasted blood in the murder of Stephen, became more and more furious in his persecution of the Church of Christ at Jerusalem, and the brethren had to escape for their lives. They all did so, except the apostles, who were specially cared for by divine providence. Acts 8:2. _And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentations over him._ As well they might, for his death was a serious loss

ANGEL (_ See Scofield) - (Hebrews 1:4). _ DESERT Contra, (Acts 8:6)....

PART II The Witness to Samaria. Saul's Conversion and Peter's Witness in Caesarea. Chapter s 8-12 CHAPTER 8 _ 1. The first great persecution (Acts 8:1)._ 2. The preaching of the scattered believers. Philip in Samaria (Acts 8:4). 3. Events in Samaria (Acts 8:9). 4. The Gospel in many villages of Samaria (Acts 8:25). 5. Philip and the Eunuch (Acts 8:26). The final testimony to the rulers of the people had been given. It was rejected, and the Spirit filled messenger killed. The last offer had therefore been completely rejected