NOW SAUL WAS CONSENTING TO HIS DEATH. AT THAT TIME A GREAT PERSECUTION AROSE AGAINST THE CHURCH WHICH WAS AT JERUSALEM; AND THEY WERE ALL SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE REGIONS OF JUDEA AND SAMARIA, EXCEPT THE APOSTLES. 1. Stephen was the first martyr for the cause of Christ. And Saul was there, an activ... [ Continue Reading ]
AND DEVOUT MEN CARRIED STEPHEN _TO HIS BURIAL,_ AND MADE GREAT LAMENTATION OVER HIM. 1. Stephen was buried. There was some kind of funeral service. 2. Typical burials took place ASAP because of the potential for disease and lack of proper ability to preserve the body. 3. The exception to this was... [ Continue Reading ]
AS FOR SAUL, HE MADE HAVOC OF THE CHURCH, ENTERING EVERY HOUSE, AND DRAGGING OFF MEN AND WOMEN, COMMITTING _THEM_ TO PRISON. 1. Havoc - Thayer says - to treat shamefully or with injury, to ravage, devastate, ruin 2. Christians faced the ever present danger of Saul and his "army of God" entering th... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE THOSE WHO WERE SCATTERED WENT EVERYWHERE PREACHING THE WORD. 1. Scatter - to sow about, to scatter, to disperse 2. Went everywhere - Not that they went to every place on earth. But every place they went - the preached. 1. LITERALLY - As they were going, they were preaching the word. 2... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN PHILIP WENT DOWN TO THE CITY OF SAMARIA AND PREACHED CHRIST TO THEM. 1. Philip - One of the seven appointed in Acts 6:1-15. The rest of this chapter will focus on the work of Philip - in Samaria and to an Ethiopian. 2. Samaria - 1. Samaritans were considered by faithful Jews, as dogs, half-... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE MULTITUDES WITH ONE ACCORD HEEDED THE THINGS SPOKEN BY PHILIP, HEARING AND SEEING THE MIRACLES WHICH HE DID. 1. Here we must pay close attention to the wording. 1. THEY HEEDED THE THINGS SPOKEN - They listened to the message, the preaching, the sermons of Philip. They heard the word and re... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR UNCLEAN SPIRITS, CRYING WITH A LOUD VOICE, CAME OUT OF MANY WHO WERE POSSESSED; AND MANY WHO WERE PARALYZED AND LAME WERE HEALED. 1. Here Luke lists some of the types of miracles which Philip was doing - casting out unclean spirits, healing the paralyzed and lame. 2. It would seem that the gif... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE WAS GREAT JOY IN THAT CITY. 1. Joy was everywhere in Samaria. 1. Joy is not - laughing at a comedy show on television. 2. Most of our "joy" is surface, momentary, and helpful only as a temporary distraction. 3. Real JOY is: 1. INTERNAL - Joy is not our response to the external - joke,... [ Continue Reading ]
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, 1. Simon the Sorcerer - 2. SORCERY - Simon used magic, tricks, deception, slight of hand to make a living. Often sorcery involved the mixi... [ Continue Reading ]
TO WHOM THEY ALL GAVE HEED, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST, SAYING, " THIS MAN IS THE GREAT POWER OF GOD. " 1. Many looked to Simon as some great man of God. They had been rejected by Jerusalem and could not enter the Temple. But - they had, they believed, a great man of God among them. 2. Not onl... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY HEEDED HIM BECAUSE HE HAD ASTONISHED THEM WITH HIS SORCERIES FOR A LONG TIME. 1. Stated again - They heeded him - they listened and obeyed his teaching and instructions, believing they were from God. 2. They were amazed at the tricks he could do. They used his potions. They followed his i... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. But there was something very different about Philip. His preaching made sense. His miracles were not just magic tricks, people were being healed.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. Simon did three things: 1. He believed the preaching. Like many other Samaritans, he believed in Jesus. 2. He was baptized. In every case of conve... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THE APOSTLES WHO WERE AT JERUSALEM HEARD THAT SAMARIA HAD RECEIVED THE WORD OF GOD, THEY SENT PETER AND JOHN TO THEM, 1. Stephen could work miracles but ONLY the apostles could distribute them. 2. Peter and John are sent because there are new Christians in Samaria who need the extra guida... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO, WHEN THEY HAD COME DOWN, PRAYED FOR THEM THAT THEY MIGHT RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. 1. Peter and John prayed for these new Christians, that they might receive the Holy Spirit (spiritual gifts). 2. They had already received the "gift of the Holy Spirit" promised to all who "repent and are baptiz... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS YET HE HAD FALLEN UPON NONE OF THEM. THEY HAD ONLY BEEN BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS. 1. Why had the spiritual gifts not been given to them? Because only an apostle could do this. 2. This passage is the illustration of what Paul was teaching about spiritual gifts being temporary a... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THEY LAID HANDS ON THEM, AND THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT. 1. Peter and John laid hands on them - that is imparted to them the ability to work some spiritual gift. 2. The received the miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN SIMON SAW THAT THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF THE APOSTLES ' HANDS THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS GIVEN, HE OFFERED THEM MONEY, 1. Simon saw what was happening. The apostles had a special gift or power. 2. Simon saw that the apostles could impart gifts on others. Philip could not do this. Simon could not... [ Continue Reading ]
SAYING, " GIVE ME THIS POWER ALSO, THAT ANYONE ON WHOM I LAY HANDS MAY RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. " 1. Simon wanted to buy the power to impart spiritual gifts. He wanted to be able to distribute these gifts to others. 2. He was seeking what even Peter and John could not grant him.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT PETER SAID TO HIM, " YOUR MONEY PERISH WITH YOU, BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT THAT THE GIFT OF GOD COULD BE PURCHASED WITH MONEY! 1. The next thing to notice is the concept of "eternal security" also called "once saved, always saved." 2. Notice these facts: 1. Jesus said that those who believe and are... [ Continue Reading ]
YOU HAVE NEITHER PART NOR PORTION IN THIS MATTER, FOR YOUR HEART IS NOT RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD. 1. Simon's heart is not right with God. Something better change. And quickly. 2. Peter uses different words but is saying, "This is none of your business." 3. Simon is not an apostle. He has not rec... [ Continue Reading ]
REPENT THEREFORE OF THIS YOUR WICKEDNESS, AND PRAY GOD IF PERHAPS THE THOUGHT OF YOUR HEART MAY BE FORGIVEN YOU. Peter uses another "key to the kingdom" for erring Christians. 1. Peter opened the kingdom to Jews - Acts 2:1-47. 2. Peter opened the door for Samaria - Acts 8:1-40. 3. Now Peter is o... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I SEE THAT YOU ARE POISONED BY BITTERNESS AND BOUND BY INIQUITY. " 1. What he had done was called "wicked" by Peter. 2. His heart was not right with God - AND 1. He was poisoned by bitterness 2. He was bound by iniquity 3. Simon is now in a condition where, if he died, he would not spend et... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SIMON ANSWERED AND SAID, " PRAY TO THE LORD FOR ME, THAT NONE OF THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SPOKEN MAY COME UPON ME. " 1. How would you respond? In the mindset of many today, if the preacher used the words of Peter to someone about their sinful condition, they would: a) become angry; b) tell th... [ Continue Reading ]
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. 1. This is a transition verse. The teaching, baptism, and the situation with Simon are now resolved. 2. Peter and John return to Jerusalem. 3. Notice:... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW AN ANGEL OF THE LORD SPOKE TO PHILIP, SAYING, " ARISE AND GO TOWARD THE SOUTH ALONG THE ROAD WHICH GOES DOWN FROM JERUSALEM TO GAZA. " THIS IS DESERT. 1. Philip is now finished in Samaria. God has a new mission for him. 2. Philip is now told to go to a lonely, deserted, isolated place. This is... [ Continue Reading ]
SO HE AROSE AND WENT. AND BEHOLD, A MAN OF ETHIOPIA, A EUNUCH OF GREAT AUTHORITY UNDER CANDACE THE QUEEN OF THE ETHIOPIANS, WHO HAD CHARGE OF ALL HER TREASURY, AND HAD COME TO JERUSALEM TO WORSHIP, 1. He went. Like Abraham, he just went. No questions asked. Just go. 2. A MAN OF ETHIOPI a - while t... [ Continue Reading ]
WAS RETURNING. AND SITTING IN HIS CHARIOT, HE WAS READING ISAIAH THE PROPHET. 1. Now he is on his long journey back to Ethiopia. 2. He is reading from Isaiah. 3. There is some dispute concerning the mode of transportation - the chariot. 1. It could have been carried by several men. 2. More like... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE SPIRIT SAID TO PHILIP, " GO NEAR AND OVERTAKE THIS CHARIOT. " 1. Philip is now told - this chariot is his mission. 2. Go near and join this chariot.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO PHILIP RAN TO HIM, AND HEARD HIM READING THE PROPHET ISAIAH, AND SAID, " DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE READING? " 1. PHILIP RAN - He did not reluctantly walk. He did not jog. He ran! 2. HEARD HIM READING - He was not reading to himself. He was reading out loud, apparently so his servants, thos... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, " HOW CAN I, UNLESS SOMEONE GUIDES ME? " AND HE ASKED PHILIP TO COME UP AND SIT WITH HIM. 1. This man was not offended. He was open and willing to admit he did not fully understand the passage. 2. I need some guidance to understand.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PLACE IN THE SCRIPTURE WHICH HE READ WAS THIS: "_ HE WAS LED AS A SHEEP TO THE SLAUGHTER; AND AS A LAMB BEFORE ITS SHEARER IS SILENT, SO HE OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH._ 33_ In His humiliation His_ _justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is_ _taken from the earth._ ... [ Continue Reading ]
SO THE EUNUCH ANSWERED PHILIP AND SAID, " I ASK YOU, OF WHOM DOES THE PROPHET SAY THIS, OF HIMSELF OR OF SOME OTHER MAN? " 1. Several questions are in his mind. 1. Is Isaiah talking about himself as this suffering servant? 2. Is some other person in the past being discussed? Maybe Moses or Jeremi... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN PHILIP OPENED HIS MOUTH, AND BEGINNING AT THIS SCRIPTURE, PREACHED JESUS TO HIM. 1. There is a parallel passage in Matthew 5:1 about Jesus and the sermon on the mount. 1. He opened his mouth - He did not just shrug his shoulders and smile. He spoke up. He talked. When asked a question - he wa... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW AS THEY WENT DOWN THE ROAD, THEY CAME TO SOME WATER. AND THE EUNUCH SAID, " SEE, _HERE IS_ WATER. WHAT HINDERS ME FROM BEING BAPTIZED? " 1. What does it mean to "preach Jesus" to someone? 1. First, preach does not always mean a public oration. Philip did not stand up, speak in a loud voice and... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN PHILIP SAID, " IF YOU BELIEVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART, YOU MAY. " AND HE ANSWERED AND SAID, " I BELIEVE THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD. " 1. In every situation of teaching the lost, we must begin where they are. 1. To the Jews - Peter said - Repent and be baptized. 2. The Jailer - Paul said... [ Continue Reading ]
SO HE COMMANDED THE CHARIOT TO STAND STILL. AND BOTH PHILIP AND THE EUNUCH WENT DOWN INTO THE WATER, AND HE BAPTIZED HIM. 1. The chariot had to stop. Baptism could not take place in a moving vehicle. 2. Marshall Keeble had a sermon titled, "The Chariot Wheels kept Rolling." As they learned about J... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THEY CAME UP OUT OF THE WATER, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAUGHT PHILIP AWAY, SO THAT THE EUNUCH SAW HIM NO MORE; AND HE WENT ON HIS WAY REJOICING. 1. They both came up. They both came out of the water. 2. Baptism involves: 1. Water 2. Going to the water 3. Going into the water 4. Baptism... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT PHILIP WAS FOUND AT AZOTUS. AND PASSING THROUGH, HE PREACHED IN ALL THE CITIES TILL HE CAME TO CAESAREA. 1. Philip moved on the Ashdod. The word "Azotus" is the Greek spelling for the city of Ashdod. 2. Philip came the city of Caesarea. This is the last we hear of him until Acts 21:8 where Phi... [ Continue Reading ]