Acts 8
April Memory Verse: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 NIV
Read: Acts 8
The year 2020 will always be remembered as a year unlike any other year in many of our living histories—the pandemic, racial tensions, the election—there was so much that was happening that was extremely significant. In many ways, we won’t even know the impact of this year for years to come.
The section we are in in the book of Acts is one of great significance for the history of the church. We won’t spend a whole lot of time on it, but the conversion of Saul that we will talk about tomorrow, is clearly significant—all you need to do is look to see how much of the rest of the New Testament was written by Paul! But even in our chapter today, we see that the gospel is spreading, in part, because of the persecution of the church at the hands of Saul!
Verse 4 says, “now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” This episode of gospel advancement was clearly catalyzed by the persecution that the church was experiencing. What a great reminder that persecution has a purpose! It both purifies the church as well as spreads the gospel.
In verses 5-8, we see that the gospel reaches the Samaritans—which if you think about stories like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and how the Jews interacted with them—an amazing movement of God! We see the specific account of a Samaritan named Simon who was a magician. Simon was a powerful magician who was self-proclaimed as “great.” Simon eventually comes to Christ but is confronted with his desire for power by Peter, who tells him, “your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.” (21-22)
Then in verses 26-38, we see the gospel reach the Ethiopian eunuch. This is significant, not only because of the leading of the Holy Spirit that is evidenced here, but because the gospel reached this man, it would be taken back to some of the “remotest parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Many in church history believe this man went back and started the first church in Africa. In other words, the gospel is spreading and the commission that Jesus gives in Acts 1:8 is taking shape in God’s time.
I hope this passage encourages you to see how God is using you to advance the gospel today! We should also take the warning from the example of Simon, and check our hearts in relation to the desire for power.
By: Graham Withers
Read: Acts 8
The year 2020 will always be remembered as a year unlike any other year in many of our living histories—the pandemic, racial tensions, the election—there was so much that was happening that was extremely significant. In many ways, we won’t even know the impact of this year for years to come.
The section we are in in the book of Acts is one of great significance for the history of the church. We won’t spend a whole lot of time on it, but the conversion of Saul that we will talk about tomorrow, is clearly significant—all you need to do is look to see how much of the rest of the New Testament was written by Paul! But even in our chapter today, we see that the gospel is spreading, in part, because of the persecution of the church at the hands of Saul!
Verse 4 says, “now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” This episode of gospel advancement was clearly catalyzed by the persecution that the church was experiencing. What a great reminder that persecution has a purpose! It both purifies the church as well as spreads the gospel.
In verses 5-8, we see that the gospel reaches the Samaritans—which if you think about stories like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and how the Jews interacted with them—an amazing movement of God! We see the specific account of a Samaritan named Simon who was a magician. Simon was a powerful magician who was self-proclaimed as “great.” Simon eventually comes to Christ but is confronted with his desire for power by Peter, who tells him, “your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.” (21-22)
Then in verses 26-38, we see the gospel reach the Ethiopian eunuch. This is significant, not only because of the leading of the Holy Spirit that is evidenced here, but because the gospel reached this man, it would be taken back to some of the “remotest parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Many in church history believe this man went back and started the first church in Africa. In other words, the gospel is spreading and the commission that Jesus gives in Acts 1:8 is taking shape in God’s time.
I hope this passage encourages you to see how God is using you to advance the gospel today! We should also take the warning from the example of Simon, and check our hearts in relation to the desire for power.
By: Graham Withers
4 Comments
Thanks Graham! So much to unpack in this chapter.
1) Good can come from seemingly bad if we let it. They didn't let the persecution stop them from witnessing to those around them. They simply did it differently, which turned out to be more effective!
2) Watch for on-ramps. We can't make people believe. Only God can call people to Himself. But when we see people asking spiritual questions (like the eunuch), that shows that God is working in their life. Be ready to join God in what He's doing!
You're right, a whole lot to get into! And fantastic principles to draw from the passage!
I didn't know that it is believed that the Ethiopian eunuch went and started the church in Africa, thanks for that tidbit of information, Graham! That just goes to show that we don't know how big of an impact we can have, so we should share with whoever God has put in our lives. By our words, by our actions, by the way we live, we should let God work through us to reach those around us. He will use us to do big things through His power, so we should believe this and seek those who He puts in our path.
That's good Scottie!