TEXT: Acts 8
DATE: May 24, 2015
The “Context” and “Explanation” sections are for in-home preparation for the Sunday lesson.
Context: Stephen was performing great wonders and signs when men from the
Freedman’s Synagogue tried to stand up against his teaching. When they could not
outsmart Stephen, they began to stir up trouble for him, saying he had blasphemed.
They brought Stephen before the council where they spoke falsely against him. In
chapter 7, Stephen then gives a passionate speech before the Sanhedrin where he
reminds them of God’s covenant with His people and the redemptive thread God had
weaved throughout history. Stephen, in wisdom, boldness, and power, rebuked his
persecutors of their self-righteousness and traced God’s plan for Jesus throughout the
Old Testament. The council was enraged and stoned Stephen to death. In his final
moments on Earth, Stephen was able to see Jesus at the right hand of the Father.
Stephen asked God to not hold his perpetrators responsible for his death, and his death
was a picture to remind the people of Jesus’ sacrifice for them. Stephen had become the
first Christian martyr.
Explanation:
Verses 1-3: Chapter 8 begins with the proclamation by Luke that on the day of
Stephen’s stoning, “there arose a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem.”
History proves that the persecution of the church normally leads to great growth in the
church, which is precisely what would begin here. Christians were scattered throughout
Judea and Samaria, carrying the message of the Gospel wherever they went. Though
Saul was ravaging the church and throwing men and women in prison, the church was
healthy and thriving as more and more people came to believe.
Verses 4-8: We learn more about Philip, one of the chosen seven in Chapter 6 (verses 36), a man of “good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” Philip preached and did
wondrous signs in Samaria. He saw great success and there was great joy in the city.
Verses 9-25: Simon had been a magician who had claimed to be somebody great. He
drew large crowds with his signs, most likely for the purpose of making money (Acts
13:6-8, 16:18-19, 19:14-19). When Philip began to preach the good news of Jesus, the
people of Samaria begin to take notice. Many believed, and they, with Simon, were
baptized. Shortly after this, the apostles sent to them Peter and John (v. 14). By the
laying on of hands, they received the Holy Spirit. Simon saw this and instantly wanted
this “power”, a clear sign his motives were wrong. One commentary states: “He (Simon)
esteemed the wealth of this world, as if it would answer for things relating to the
other life, and would purchase the pardon of sin, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and
eternal life. This request showed the condition of Simon’s heart, which was not set
on serving the Lord because of the grace that had been given to him, but instead
sought personal gain of power. Our actions so frequently reveal our hearts, and even
if we feel we can keep our motives concealed, our God cannot be deceived. Peter
calls Simon to repent, but instead of asking for forgiveness, Simon asks that Peter
pray that nothing bad would happen to him. Again, Simon missed the point. He
didn’t truly understand His need for a Savior because of his bent toward sin, and did
not seem to have a truly repentant heart seeking forgiveness and grace from the
Father, offering nothing in return. We, as Christians, can often fall into this mode of
thinking; our hearts are wicked, our motives are misplaced, and we pursue pride
and ambition rather than humility. Christ died to give us his righteousness and apart
from TRUE repentance, we cannot experience his forgiveness.
Verses 26-40: Finally, in this passage we see Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. This
is the climax to Acts 1:8 where Jesus says “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem
(6:8-8:3) and in all Judea and Samaria (8:4-25), and to the end of the earth (8:2640)” Philip was directed by an angel of the Lord to go to a desert. We see an example
here that no matter where we may travel, we have an opportunity to be messengers
of God’s message to a lost world, much like Philip. Verse 27 is so simple yet so
convicting – “He rose up and went…” May we be people that immediately go when
we feel the Holy Spirit move us to do so. (Contrast that with Jonah and his call to go
to Nineveh in Jonah 1:2) During this encounter with the Ethiopian, Philip hears him
reciting Isaiah to which the Spirit called him to go over and join him. When Philip
asks if he knows what he’s reading, the Ethiopian admits his need, being humble and
teachable in that moment. Much like us, this is the first step towards the knowledge
of salvation. The Ethiopian was reading Isaiah 53:7-8 and served Philip a softball of
a question, “who does the prophet say this, about himself or someone else?” thus
giving Philip an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Just like Philip
did with the crowds, he evangelized to the eunuch, and shared how Christ has
claimed victory over sin and death, making forgiveness and righteousness available
in his name. There’s no doubt the Ethiopian was saved that day. He followed in
obedience to God in baptism. When he came out of the water of baptism, Philip was
gone and the Ethiopian “went on his way rejoicing.”
We can compare this salvation experience with the earlier account of Simon in
verses 9-25 to see a stark contrast between someone who experienced true
repentance and forgiveness and someone playing the “game” of Christianity. May we
all be found rejoicing like the Ethiopian eunuch for what Christ has done in our lives
through his death, burial, and resurrection.
As your group time begins we want to give the group one main point or “Big Question.” It boils down the lesson into
one key, foundational thought that is focused on life application that gives the group an easy-to-remember take
home to frame this lesson and think about during the week.
What motivations do you need to confess so that joy and obedience are your daily
responses to God’s grace?
READ: Acts 8:1-8, 8:9-25, 8:26-40
Pray: Pray that God would use you even in the midst of extreme persecution and
that your heart would always remain in line with His and what He is calling you to
do in this life.
Based on the first 3 verses, how do you think Christians were feeling at the time
following Stephen’s death by stoning? Who was leading the charge against the church?
What do these verses say he was doing to the Christians?
Based on the persecution, what does it say happened to the Christians? What do you
think motivated Philip to continue to proclaim Christ, no matter where he was? Why
was there much joy in the city in verse 8?
How are Simon and Philip similar in verses 9-13? How are they different?
How are we like Simon in our motives and our desires? What can we do to prevent this
in our lives and live more humbly? In the end, what did Simon desire? What did he ask
in verse 24 after being called to repentance?
Have you ever experienced God telling you to go somewhere or to do something? What
was Philip’s reaction when the angel said to go south to a desert place? What was his
reaction when told by the Spirit to approach the eunuch? How can we be more obedient
like Philip?
When given opportunities in the past to share the Gospel, have you done so? Or have
you let fear overwhelm you? What was significant about Philip continuing to proclaim
the Gospel both to the crowds in Samaria, but also to the eunuch? (There was much
persecution; Stephen had just been stoned to death)
How does the Ethiopian eunuch in verse 39 compare to Simon in verse 24? What can we
learn from their separate experiences? Did they both experience the life change that is
characteristic of true salvation?
What motivations do you need to confess so that joy and obedience are your daily
responses to God’s grace?