Acts Chapter 8

At a Glance

  • Acts 8 crescendos the church’s dispersion following Stephen’s martyrdom and the intensifying persecution in Jerusalem.
  • Peter and John later arrive from Jerusalem to lay hands on believers so they may receive the Holy Spirit, illustrating the continuing unfolding of the Spirit’s distribution beyond Pentecost.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Positioned after Stephen’s death, Acts 8 depicts rapid missionary movement spurred by persecution.
  • - Inclusive expansion of the church: From Jerusalem to Samaria, the gospel moves across ethnic and religious lines.

Chapter Overview

Acts 8 crescendos the church’s dispersion following Stephen’s martyrdom and the intensifying persecution in Jerusalem. The early followers scatter to Judea and Samaria, carrying the message of Jesus as they go. Philip the evangelist becomes the central figure in this chapter, moving from Jerusalem to Samaria where he proclaims Christ, performs signs, and brings many to faith. The chapter’s energy is contagious: unclean spirits leave, many are healed, and great joy fills the city. A striking counterpoint appears in Simon the sorcerer, a practitioner of magic who captivates the people with his sorcery. When he encounters the power of the gospel in Philip’s ministry, he believes and is baptized, though the narrative warns about the true nature of conversion when dealings with spiritual gifts and power are involved.

Peter and John later arrive from Jerusalem to lay hands on believers so they may receive the Holy Spirit, illustrating the continuing unfolding of the Spirit’s distribution beyond Pentecost. The chapter culminates with the Spirit’s work crossing ethnic boundaries—and it foreshadows the expansion of the gospel to the Gentiles—through the Cornelius episode that follows in chapter 10. Acts 8 thus juxtaposes divine power with human strategy (Simon’s mixed motives) and invites readers to discern genuine fruit from religious spectacle.

Historical & Literary Context

Positioned after Stephen’s death, Acts 8 depicts rapid missionary movement spurred by persecution. The genre remains narrative history with theological aims: to show how the gospel advances through the Spirit’s power and through the cooperation of believers across cultural boundaries. The Samaritans’ reception of the gospel marks a crucial bridge between Jewish and Gentile worlds, signaling the Spirit’s breaking down of ethnoreligious barriers. The episode with Simon the sorcerer raises important questions about authentic conversion, motives, and the legitimacy of spiritual power in gospel ministry. The movement from Jerusalem to the wider region aligns with Luke’s broader emphasis on the gospel going forth “to the ends of the earth,” even as the church must navigate power, authenticity, and spiritual discernment.

Key Themes

- Inclusive expansion of the church: From Jerusalem to Samaria, the gospel moves across ethnic and religious lines.

- Power of the Spirit vs. spectacle: Genuine miracles confirm the message; counterfeit power exposes motive and authenticity.

- Mission driven by persecution: Adversity dispels geographic concentration and accelerates proclamation.

- Authentic faith vs. manipulated faith: Simon’s case invites discernment about what true belief and baptism entail.

- Communal generosity and joy: Positive results in Samaria include widespread joy and communal transformation.

Modern Application

- Cross-cultural mission: The church is called to engage beyond its comfort zones, welcoming diverse peoples into the life of faith.

- Discernment in spiritual experiences: The Simon episode urges believers to test claims of power by their fruits and alignment with the gospel’s message.

- Authority and worship: Peter and John’s involvement shows commissioned leaders help cultivate authentic spiritual life in new communities.

- Joy as witness: Transformative, joyful communities are powerful evangelistic signs in a skeptical world.

- Acts 2:1-4 (Pentecost and Spirit-enabled mission)

- Acts 13:6-12 (Bar-Jesus/ Elymas confrontation; spiritual discernment)

- Acts 11:19-21 (Spread of gospel to Gentiles)

- John 4:39-42 (Samaritan conversion)

Recommended Personas

- Philip (evangelistic strategist and Spirit-led preacher)

- Peter (apostolic leadership and discernment)

- Jesus (the authoritative source of healing and mercy)

- Barnabas (encouragement and community-building)

Chapter Text

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.

2

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

4

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

5

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

6

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8

And there was great joy in that city.

9

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

10

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

11

And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

12

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

14

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

24

Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

25

And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

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.

27

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28

Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31

And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

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