In Acts 8 today we continue with the murder of Steven. And verse 1 reads.
Acts 8:1] 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.
This word scatter should have been translated “Sent”. Saul was a pharisee, but unlike the rest of them, he genuinely loved the Lord. He just missed Isa.1:14, among other scriptures.
Acts 8:2] And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
Steven was well loved and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:3] As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
For the men and women of Judah, and them only. For many that lived in that region were not of Judah, but also Roman or other gentiles.
Acts 8:4] Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Again, this word scattered should have been translated Sent.
Acts 8:5] Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Phillip, like Steven, is one of the seven that were anointed and sent out to teach.
Acts 8:6] 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.
Know the difference between sick and possessed. And Phillip was sent to the Gaza region of today also.
Acts 8:8] 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:
Simon is a sorcerer. This is a drug inducing cult. They get high and think they are somebody. None of these will see the kingdom.
Acts 8:10] 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.
He was able to trick them with delusions. Let’s go to Revelations 20 and read 7 and 8.
Rev.20:7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Don’t overlook this, we that overcome He calls sons.
Rev.20:8] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
There is death of the flesh, and death of the Spirit. And then everlasting life for all those that overcome. Back to Acts and verse 12 reads.
Acts 8:12] 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 miracles and signs which were done.
Simon was baptized, but does he really believe?
Acts 8:14] 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.
Jesus and the Father now abode within them. John 14.
Acts 8:18] 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.
The Holy Spirit did not enter into Simon, but he didn’t care about that. He just wanted the “power” of what he witnessed.
Acts 8:20] 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.
Didn’t even have the thought of repentance, couldn’t even pray for himself. Peter just cursed him. If you look up this Simon you will find what they called Simony. This man would go on to tell those that he had tricked with delusion earlier that” if you bury me, I will rise again in three days”. They’re still waiting.
Acts 8:25] 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.
If you look at Gaza today it is still “desert.”
Acts 8:27] 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.
This man was reading Isa.53:1-9. And will be confused, but Phillip will teach him Jesus.
Acts 8:29] 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.
When the LORD sends you, you will find it well prepared.
Acts 8:32] 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.
What was just quoted to Phillip was Isa.53:7-8. Now Phillip can teach him Jesus Christ. let’s go and read. Isa.53:912.
Isa.53:9] And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
He was crucified between two malefactors, and buried in his uncles tomb.
Isa.53:10] Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
There will be no more sacrifices for Jesus was the Lamb of God.
Isa.53:11] He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
[12] Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
So, this eunuch was taught that it was Jesus that Isaiah was prophesying about. Back to Acts 8 and verse 34 reads.
Acts 8:34] 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.
This is what your confession needs to be, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God”. This is why I chose to be baptized at the age of 44. Though I was told I was baptized as an infant, I never made this confession until I learned this verse. And I would hope that all who just read this do the same.
Acts 8:38] 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.
And that’s how the Holy Spirit works. Touching the hearts of those that love the Lord, and confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible