*Acts 8:1-25
After the martyrdom of Stephen sparks a persecution that scatters the believers, Philip brings the gospel and miracles to Samaria.
- The Church Persecuted and Scattered:
- Following Stephen’s martyrdom, a great persecution breaks out against the church in Jerusalem, led by Saul, causing believers to scatter throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
- Devout men bury Stephen and mourn deeply for him.
- Saul begins to destroy the church, entering house after house to drag off both men and women and imprison them.
- Philip in Samaria:
- Philip, one of the seven deacons, goes down to a city in Samaria and proclaims the Messiah to the people there.
- Crowds pay attention to what Philip says, hearing and seeing the signs he performs.
- Unclean spirits, shouting loudly, come out of many, and many paralyzed and lame people are healed.
- There is great joy in the city as a result of these miracles and the preaching of the gospel.
- Simon the Sorcerer:
- A man named Simon, who had previously practiced sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria claiming to be someone great, believes Philip’s message and is baptized.
- Simon follows Philip closely, astonished by the great signs and miracles performed.
- When the apostles in Jerusalem hear that Samaria has accepted the word of God, they send Peter and John to them.
- Peter and John pray for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit, as they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
- They lay hands on them, and they receive the Holy Spirit.
- Simon’s Attempt to Buy Power:
- Simon offers money to Peter and John, asking to buy the power to give the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands.
- Peter rebukes Simon, telling him that his heart is not right before God and advising him to repent of his wickedness and pray for forgiveness for thinking he could buy God’s gift with money.
- Simon, realizing the gravity of his mistake, asks for their prayers that nothing he feared might happen to him.
Acts 8:1-25 teaches us that God can use even difficult situations for good. When the early Christians faced persecution, they spread out and shared the message of Jesus wherever they went. This reminds us that challenges in life can be opportunities to grow and help others. The story of Philip also shows that we should be willing to follow God’s leading, sharing His love with people who may be different from us. And like Simon the sorcerer, we learn that true faith isn’t about seeking power or personal gain but having a sincere heart before God.
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.