Acts 8

Acts Chapter 8 contains several significant events and teachings describing the spread of the good news of Jesus beyond Jerusalem. 

Key points:

1. Persecution and Dispersion: [1:3]

   • Following the martyrdom of Stephen, a great persecution arises against the church in Jerusalem. Many believers scatter throughout Judea and Samaria, except the apostles who remained in Jerusalem.

2. Philip in Samaria: [4:8]

   • Philip, one of the seven deacons (like Stephen), goes to Samaria and preaches the gospel. His ministry is marked by miraculous signs, including exorcisms and healings, which lead many Samaritans to believe and be baptized.

3. Simon the Sorcerer: [9:24]

   • A man named Simon, a well-known sorcerer in Samaria, also believes and is baptized. However, his true motives are later revealed. When he sees the Holy Spirit given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offers money to obtain this power. Peter sternly rebukes him, telling him to repent and pray for forgiveness, highlighting the grave error of thinking God's gift can be bought.

4. Peter and John in Samaria: [14:17,25]

   • The apostles Peter and John are sent from Jerusalem to Samaria when they hear that the Samaritans have accepted the word of God. They pray for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit, as they had only been baptized in the name of Jesus. Upon the apostles’ laying on of hands, the Holy Spirit comes upon the Samaritans.

5. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch: [26:40]

   • An angel of the Lord directs Philip to go south to the road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza. There, Philip encounters an Ethiopian eunuch, an official in charge of the queen's treasury, who is reading the book of Isaiah. The Spirit instructs Philip to approach the chariot.

   • Philip explains the scriptures and preaches about Jesus to the eunuch. The eunuch believes and asks to be baptized. Philip baptizes him in a nearby body of water. After the baptism, the Spirit of the Lord takes Philip away, and the eunuch continues on his way rejoicing.

These events in Acts Chapter 8 illustrate the spread of the gospel beyond Jerusalem, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the inclusion of diverse peoples into the early Christian community. The chapter underscores themes of evangelism, the authenticity of faith, and divine guidance.

From the southern Nile region