Lesson 16

1. Lesson 16 Acts, Chapter 8

2. Time Frame (Acts 8) • Paul’s conversion (Acts 9) • A reference back to Lesson 3 reveals that we have placed the conversion of Paul to approximately 34 AD • The events beginning in Chapter 6, and continuing through this chapter immediately precede the conversion of Saul • Note: This begins a new division of the book (The dispersion of Christians)

3. Saul the Persecutor (vs. 1-3) 1 • Saul consented to the death of Stephen • Stephen’s death precipitated a great persecution of the church at Jerusalem • Christians scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. • This was a fulfillment of Jesus’ directions (cf. Acts 1:8)

4. Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

5. Still not a wide dispersion. The region of Samaria and Judea is similar in size to the Metroplex no more than 30 miles from Jerusalem in any direction.

6. Saul the Persecutor (vs. 1-3) 2 • Stephen was buried • Loud lamentation was made over the body • Saul is introduced as a preeminent persecutor of the church (3) • “Made havoc of the church” • Drug men and women off to prison • cf. Galatians 1:13-14

7. Galatians 1:13-14 “For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.”

8. Christ Preached in Samaria (vs. 4-25) 1 • Steadfastness of Disciples • Though scattered by persecution, continued to preach (4) • Philip in the City of Samaria • Preached Christ (5) • Confirmed preaching w/ Miracles (6-7) • Great Joy (8), because the people “heeded the things spoken by Philip (6)

9. Christ Preached in Samaria (vs. 4-25) 2 • Simon the Sorcerer Converted • Previously able to convince the people of his greatness (9-11) • Simon believed and was baptized along with the others (12-13) • Note: belief and baptism necessary for salvation (and Simon was saved) • Simon was amazed (13). There was an obvious difference between the sorcerer’s abilities and God’s power.

10. Christ Preached in Samaria (vs. 4-25) 3 • Peter and John t0 Samaria (14-16) • Samaria had received the word (14), indicates salvation (cf. 12) • The reception of miraculous gifts, by the laying on of the apostles hands, was not a part of their conversion (15-16) • Note: Though Philip was there, they had not received the gifts. Apostles were sent to lay hands on the new Christians in Samaria. (17)

11. Christ Preached in Samaria (vs. 4-25) 4 • Simon’s Sin (18-23) • Already evident that Simon loved the attention of the people, and the power it provided (9-11) • His desire was not to receive a gift, but to have the authority to impart the Holy Spirit to others (19) • Note: The Holy Spirit is given through the laying on of the apostles hands (18), … not the same thing as the “gift” (cf. Acts 2:38)

12. Christ Preached in Samaria (vs. 4-25) 5 • Simon’s Sin (18-223) • Simon’s carnal mind. * Lust for Power; * Covetousness; * Thought the gift of God could be purchased with money (vs. 18-19) • Peter’s admonition clearly shows that in this sinful state, that Simon (though a Christian) was in danger of losing his soul! (vs. 20) • Peter called upon him to repent and pray for forgiveness! (vs. 22)

13. Christ Preached in Samaria (vs. 4-25) 5 • Simon’s Repentance (24) • Shows that a Christian caught in sin may be restored to a perfect standing through repentance and prayer (24) • Peter and John Return to Jerusalem (25) • Gospel is preached in villages throughout Samaria

14. Christ is Preached to the Eunuch (vs. 26-40) 1 • Holy Spirit led Philip to the Eunuch (26-28) • Same with Saul (9:10); Cornelius (19-20) • Rather than the Spirit working directly upon the heart of the one to be converted, He worked on the preacher • The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16)

15. Christ is Preached to the Eunuch (vs. 26-40) 2 • The Ethiopian Eunuch (27-28) • A man of authority • A proselyte (or possibly a Jew) • Had finished worship, and was returning to Ethiopia when Philip caught up with him • Reading Isaiah the Prophet (30-34) • Did not understand what he was reading • Reading from Isaiah 53:7-8

16. Christ is Preached to the Eunuch (vs. 26-40) 3 • The Eunuch’s Question (34) • Who was the prophet talking about? • Note: Suffering Savior • Philip’s Answer (35-36) • He preached Jesus • Jesus was the subject of Isaiah 53 • The Gospel is God’s power (cf. Rom. 1:16) • Baptism included in preaching Jesus!

17. Christ is Preached to the Eunuch (vs. 26-40) 4 • The Eunuch’s Conversion (37-39) • Note: The Eunuch recognized the necessity of Baptism (cf. 36) • Belief is necessary (37, cf. John 3:16) • Confession is necessary (37, cf. Romans 10:8-10) • Note: Confession NOT, “I am a sinner”, BUT “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” • Baptism is necessary (38, cf. Acts 2:38)

18. Christ is Preached to the Eunuch (vs. 26-40) 5 • The Mode of Baptism (38) • Immersion, “down into the water” • The Eunuch rejoiced at the forgiveness he received (39) • Philip caught away by the Spirit (39) • Philip later found at Azotus, and continued to preach as he went to Caesarea (40)