The Extension of the Church to Judæa and Samaria (Act 8:4 to Act 11:18)The Christians, scattered by persecution, preach everywhere through Judaea and Samaria. The places specially mentioned are Samaria, Azotus, Caesarea, Lydda, the Sharon valley, and Joppa. read more
A Story of Conversion Acts 8:27 , etc. Philip the deacon was one of the most active Evangelists. Only one or two scenes in his obedient and strenuous career find a place in the panorama of Acts; but these make it clear that he was a man of whom, had there been space enough, the New Testament might well have told us a great deal more. I like the hopefulness of Philip, as he advances to his new task. Remember, he had just been imposed upon by a bad man at Samaria, when Simon the Sorcerer, a... read more
Part II The Witness to Samaria. Saul’s Conversion and Peter’s Witness in Caesarea. Chapters 8-12 CHAPTER 8 1. The first great persecution (Acts 8:1-3 ). 2. The preaching of the scattered believers. Philip in Samaria (Acts 8:4-8 ). 3. Events in Samaria (Acts 8:9-24 ). 4. The Gospel in many villages of Samaria (Acts 8:25 ). 5. Philip and the Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40 ). The final testimony to the rulers of the people had been given. It was rejected, and the Spirit filled messenger killed. The... read more
As a wild beast tasting blood, the Jews were the more inflamed by the martyrdom of Stephen to greatly persecute the Church of God at Jerusalem. For this reason believers were scattered through Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Even the persecution at this time did not exercise them to leave and carry the gospel elsewhere, as the Lord had commanded them (Mark 16:15), but where they failed, the Lord had others to do the work. Devout men buried Stephen with great lamentation. They may not... read more
TRANSITION PERIOD We explained in the last lesson the meaning of the transition period which continues to chapter 13. The first sentence in chapter 8 is more properly the concluding one of chapter 7, although it introduces the account of the persecution following in which Saul was the leader (Acts 8:1-3 ). With the account of this persecution (compare Hebrews 10:32-34 ), and for Saul’s part in it, see Acts 22:4 ; Acts 22:19-20 ; Acts 24:10-11 and parallel places. “The blood of the martyrs is... read more
Chapter 20 Prayer Almighty God, thy hand is very strong. Make bare thine arm in the midst of the nations, and show us that thou art still the King. Men forget themselves, and with much rioting of weakness they rebel against thy will, but when thou dost arise in thy great strength the nations shall know themselves to be but men. They are a wind that cometh for a little time then vanisheth away. There is none abiding like thyself. Thou only art the same yesterday, today, and for ever. All else... read more
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 Judea 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 havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (4) Therefore they that were scattered abroad went... read more
5-13 As far as the gospel prevails, evil spirits are dislodged, particularly unclean spirits. All inclinations to the lusts of the flesh which war against the soul are such. Distempers are here named, the most difficult to be cured by the course of nature, and most expressive of the disease of sin. Pride, ambition, and desire after grandeur have always caused abundance of mischief, both to the world and to the church. The people said of Simon, This man is the great power of God. See how... read more
Acts 8 NOT CONTENT WITH slaying Stephen, the religious leaders in Jerusalem at this point launched the first great persecution against the church, and in this Saul was especially prominent. He ravaged the church like a wolf, invading the privacy of homes to secure his victims. In result, the disciples were scattered abroad through the provinces of Judaea and Samaria. Now, according to the Lord’s words to His disciples in Act_1:8 , these provinces were to come after Jerusalem, and before their... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 8:4-18
The Extension of the Church to Judæa and Samaria (Acts 8:4 to Acts 11:18)The Christians, scattered by persecution, preach everywhere through Judaea and Samaria. The places specially mentioned are Samaria, Azotus, Caesarea, Lydda, the Sharon valley, and Joppa. read more