Acts 8:1-40 - L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

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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 have been Christians, but at least were God-fearing and honorable. In contrast, Saul excelled in his zealous persecution of believers, forcibly entering houses to take them prisoner. This did not however stop the preaching of the word by those who were scattered from Jerusalem.

Philip (one of the seven chosen as deacons -- ch.6:5) was by no means intimidated either, but went down to Samaria where he preached Christ. Though the apostles were slow to do this, Philip showed the same gracious spirit as his Master (John 4:1-54), not despising the Samaritans, as was common among the Jews (John 8:48). The energy of this man's faith is beautiful, for he evidently acted alone, not "tarrying for the sons of men." How he attracted the interest of the people we are not told, except that he preached Christ to them. We may remember that Christ Himself had awakened a large interest in Samaria (John 4:39-42): now when this same Lord was preached, God had prepared hearts to respond to this blessed message. His preaching also was attended by God's witnessing with the miracles of casting out demons and healing of the sick. Notice, it was not that Philip held a healing meeting; rather his speaking is first emphasized, then the miracles added.

It is of interesting importance that when Peter went later to Gentiles, there is no mention of healing at all (Ch.10:34-48), but Samaritans, though a mixed race, claimed a Jewish status because there was no doubt of Jewish blood among them. "The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks (Gentiles) seek after wisdom" (1 Corinthians 1:22).

Since the Jews of Jerusalem had no dealings with the Samaritans (John 4:9), they were not present to oppose the preaching of Christ or to hinder the great joy of the city. For even when Christ was there, no miracles are recorded: now by the power of the Spirit of God Philip performed many miracles, casting out many demons and healing many who were sick.

Such striking miracles as this impressed a sorcerer named Simon, who had before greatly influenced the people of Samaria by his Satanic sorceries, claiming to be a great man himself, and leading the populace, whether low or high, to consider him the great power of God. This had continued a long time, but the superior power of God in Philip's preaching and miracles wrought in such a way as to produce faith in great numbers, and they were baptized, both men and women.

The evidence was convincing so far as Simon was concerned: he also believed and was baptized, but it was plainly only a superficial type of belief, as subsequent history shows. He continued at first with Philip, but wondered at the miracles and signs. Why should he wonder if he had faith that Jesus was actually the Son of God and actually risen from the dead? Were such miracles not simple enough for Him?

We have seen in Jerusalem that Jews were promised on repentance and baptism that they would receive the Spirit of God (Ch.2:38). Yet here were Samaritans who had repented and been baptized, but had not received the Spirit. This was the reason for the apostles Peter and John coming down when they heard news of God's work in Samaria. Only after they had prayed for them and laid their hands on them did the Samaritan disciples receive the Holy Spirit. This guarded against any possibility that the Samaritans would consider their blessing independent of that which Jerusalem had received. We shall see later also that only on two other occasions was the Spirit received with public signs, and then only with the presence of at least one apostle (Ch.10:44-46 and Ch.19:1-7).

In this way the work was fully connected: the Church of God was one. The laying on of hands speaks simply of identification with these disciples. If God could publicly receive Jews at Jerusalem, He could also graciously receive Samaritans in spite of their having embraced a center contrary to God's center, the temple at Jerusalem: God no longer deals on the basis of law, but of grace.

Related Commentaries of Acts 8:1

Acts 8:1-40

1 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 Judaea 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 havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miraclesa and signs which were done.

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.