The Gospel Spreads to The World: Acts 8

Read Acts Chapter 8

Introduction: In Acts 8, we see the early church facing persecution and spreading the gospel beyond Jerusalem. The stoning of Stephen helped to speed up the spread of the gospel as the church was dispersed after Stephen’s death. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Philip and others take the message of Jesus to Samaria and beyond. This chapter shows us the unstoppable nature of God’s mission and the life changing power of the gospel.

I. Persecution and the Scattering of the Church (Acts 8:1-4)
After Stephen’s martyrdom, a great persecution breaks out against the church in Jerusalem. Believers are scattered throughout Judea and Samaria carrying the gospel with them everywhere they went. Despite the persecution, they continue to preach the word wherever they go and many lives are transformed.

• Matthew 5:10-12 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• John 15:20 – Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.
• 2 Timothy 3:12 – Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

II. Philip Preaches in Samaria (Acts 8:5-8)
Philip goes down to a city in Samaria and proclaims Christ to them. The crowds listen and believe what he says, and there are signs and miracles that accompany his message. Great joy fills the city as many accept Jesus and their lives are changed. This is the kind of impact the gospel has on people, and it is still happening today in year 2024, all over the world.

• Matthew 10:7-8 – And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.
• Luke 10:9 – Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
• John 4:39 – Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”

III. Simon the Sorcerer Believes (Acts 8:9-13)
A man named Simon, who practiced sorcery in Samaria, believes Philip’s message and is baptized. He is amazed by the signs and miracles performed by the apostles and asks that he may have the same gift of the Holy Spirit they possess. Simon the sorcerer was looking for a gift to benefit himself, not the kingdom of God.

• Deuteronomy 18:10-12 – There shall not be found among you anyone who…practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer.
• Galatians 5:20-21 – Idolatry, sorcery…and things like these…those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
• Revelation 21:8 – But as for…sorcerers…their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

IV. The Apostles in Samaria (Acts 8:14-25)
When the apostles in Jerusalem hear that Samaria has received the word of God, they send Peter and John to pray for the new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. Simon tries to buy the power of the Holy Spirit but is rebuked by Peter. The Apostles tell him that he should repent of this wickedness.

• Matthew 10:8 – You received without paying; give without pay.
• Acts 2:38 – And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
• 1 Timothy 6:10 – For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.

V. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40)
An angel of the Lord tells Philip to go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. There he comes across an Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah, but not understanding what he reads. Philip explains the scripture to him and preaches Jesus, and the eunuch believes and is baptized.

• Isaiah 53:7-8 – The passage the eunuch was reading, which speaks of Jesus’ suffering.
• Matthew 28:19 – Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 10:14 – How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?

Conclusion: Acts 8 shows us how the persecution of the church caused the gospel to spread over the world. It shows the Holy Spirit’s work in bringing diverse people to faith in Jesus. From the scattered believers to the Samaritans, from Simon the sorcerer to the Ethiopian eunuch, God’s mission is unstoppable in the world, because God’s people are unstoppable. This chapter encourages us to be bold in sharing the gospel, no matter the circumstances, and to trust in the life changing power of the message of Jesus Christ.