OLBGrk; ACTS CHAPTER 8 Acts 8:1-8 The disciples being dispersed by reason of a great persecution at Jerusalem, a church is planted by Philip in Samaria. Acts 8:9-13 Simon the sorcerer is baptized, with many others. Acts 8:14-17 Peter and John are sent thither, who by prayer and imposition of hands give the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:18-25 Simon offereth money for the like power, is sharply reproved by Peter for his wickedness and hypocrisy, and admonished to repent: the apostles return to Jerusalem, having preached the word. Acts 8:26-40 Philip is sent by an angel to convert and baptize an Ethiopian eunuch. Consenting unto his death; well pleased with it, (as the word implies), and did approve it in thought, word, and deed, Acts 22:4,20; which is here noted in the beginning of the narrative concerning this great apostle, that we might consider oiov ex oiou, what a great change the grace of God did make; which was by him, and is by us the more to be acknowledged and magnified. A great persecution against the church; not, as heretofore, against the apostles only; but now it was against the whole church. All scattered abroad; the multitude of believers, at least as many as could flee; which was allowed, or rather commanded, Matthew 10:23, when they were persecuted in one city, to flee unto another; especially such as were teachers amongst them (besides the apostles) were forced to remove from Jerusalem, and by this means did publish the gospel in all places whither they came; so that what was intended for the hinderance, God did overrule towards the furtherance, of the gospel; as he did afterwards, Philippians 1:12, and still does, and ever will do. Except the apostles; who were commanded to stay at Jerusalem, Acts 1:4; there they were to make their beginning, Luke 24:47, and from thence to proceed unto other parts, Isaiah 2:3; and whilst God had any work for them to do at Jerusalem, they knew that God could and would defend and maintain them in the midst of their enemies, as he had done the bush in the fire, Exodus 3:3.
Related Commentaries of Acts 8:1
Acts 8:1
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.