Scattered but Not Stopped: How the Good News Kept Spreading (Acts 8:1–25)
The story in Acts 8:1–25 shows us something amazing: even when life gets hard, God’s message keeps moving forward. After the death of Stephen, one of the first Christians to die for his faith, things got very dangerous for the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem. But instead of stopping them, persecution actually helped spread the message of Jesus to new places.
Let’s look at what happened and what we can learn from it today.
Trouble in Jerusalem
After Stephen was killed, a wave of persecution broke out. Saul (who would later become the apostle Paul) was leading the charge, dragging Christians out of their homes and putting them in prison. Many believers fled Jerusalem to escape.
It might have seemed like the end—but it wasn’t. God used this scattering to send His people out with the message of Jesus. What looked like defeat was actually part of God’s plan to reach more people.
Philip in Samaria
One of those scattered believers was Philip. He went to Samaria, a place many Jews avoided because of old tensions between Jews and Samaritans. But Philip didn’t let cultural divisions stop him. He told people in Samaria about Jesus, and he performed miracles—healing the sick and freeing people from evil spirits.
The result?
“There was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:8)
God’s message brings joy, healing, and hope—no matter where it goes.
Simon the Sorcerer
In Samaria, there was a man named Simon who practiced sorcery. He had amazed people with his magic and claimed to be someone great. But when he heard Philip’s message about Jesus, he believed and got baptized along with many others.
Later, when Peter and John came from Jerusalem and prayed for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit, Simon saw something powerful happening. But instead of understanding it as a gift from God, he offered them money to get the same power.
Peter rebuked him strongly, saying:
“May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”
Simon quickly realized his mistake and asked them to pray for him.
Lesson: The things of God are not for sale. His power isn’t a trick or something we can earn—it’s a gift, given by grace.
The Gospel Keeps Moving
After their time in Samaria, Peter and John didn’t just head straight back to Jerusalem. They stopped in many villages along the way and kept sharing the good news.
The message here is simple but powerful: God’s Word keeps spreading, and His love keeps reaching new hearts.
What Can We Learn?
- Hard times don’t stop God’s plan. Persecution scattered the believers, but it didn’t stop the gospel. In fact, it helped it spread faster and farther.
- The good news is for everyone. Philip didn’t skip over Samaria—he went right into it. Jesus came for all people, regardless of background.
- God’s gifts can’t be bought. Faith is not a magic trick or a business deal. It’s a relationship with a living God who gives freely to those who trust Him.
- We’re all part of the mission. Philip wasn’t one of the original twelve apostles—he was an ordinary believer, just like us. And yet, God used him in a big way. That means God can use you, too.
When life feels uncertain, remember this: God’s message is stronger than any challenge, and when we follow Him with open hearts, He will use us to spread hope wherever we go.
Acts 8:1-25 (WEB)
8:1 Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and lamented greatly over him. 3 But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison. 4 Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs which he did. 7 For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 There was great joy in that city.9 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one, 10 to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.” 11 They listened to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans.