Acts 8:4-24 “The Church Scattered”
“…‘what must I do to be saved?’ They said,
‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” Acts 16:30-31 (NASB)
Key Verses – More evidence of the transitional nature of the Book of Acts
Acts 8:14-17 (excerpts NASB) *The apostles ministry of authentication of the Gospel “Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit…17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.”
Key x-References – The gospel message went with the “scattered” Church
Acts 8:1 (NASB) *Saul/Paul played a key role in the persecution of the early church “Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”
Acts 11:19 (NASB) *The proliferation of the Gospel happened gradually by stages
“So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speak- ing the word to no one except to Jews alone.”
John 4:7,9 (NASB) *God helped the early church overcome their prejudicial barriers “There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give Me a drink…’ Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samari- tans.).” Note: Three reasons: she was (1) a woman; (2) a Samaritan; (3) considered ’unclean’
John 4:39-42 (NASB) *The historical background of Samaria and the Samaritans “From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all the things that I have done.’ 40 So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of His word; 42 and they were say- ing to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.’”
Acts 2:37-39,41 (NASB) *The theological basis for believer’s baptism
“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ 38 Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself’… 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”
Note: The word was received before they were baptized (cf. “clear conscience” in 1 Peter 3:21)
Key Terms (most words have a ‘field of meaning’ —> various translations) “baptized” (vv. 12,13,16) Greek #907 (77x), NASB baptizô; from Greek root #911, to dip, sink:– Baptist (3), baptize* (61), baptizing (10), ceremonially washed (1),
“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
Tertullian (Church leader in the 2nd century A.D.)
The Book of Acts Series #19 1/16/22
The Birth and Expansion of the Church of Jesus Christ “…you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 (NASB)
Introduction – The transitional nature of the Book of Acts 1:1-5 I. Christian witness in Jerusalem 1:6-8:3
A. The Risen Lord – The 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection & ascension 1:6-26 B. Pentecost – Outpouring of the Holy Spirit – The birthday of the Church 2:1-47 C. Healing the lame man in the Temple, Peter’s 2nd Sermon 3:1-26
D. The beginning of persecution 4:1-37
E. Purging from within, more persecution from without 5:1-41 F. Choosing co-laborers – The first deacons 6:1-7
G. Stephen – a deacon and the first Christian martyr 6:8-8:3
- Part 1 – Stephen (one of the 1st deacons) persecuted & put on trial 6:8-7:53
- Part 2 – Stephen suffers martyrdom for his faith in Christ 7:51-8:3
II. Christian witness in Palestine and Syria 8:4-12:25 A. The Church Scattered 8:4-40 - The preaching in Samaria 8:4-25
Introduction – The early Church “scattered” by persecution 8:4
a. Philip’s ministry in Samaria accompanied by “signs” (healing) 8:5-8
b. Simon’s astonishing “magic” act 8:9-11
c. The people’s response (Simon) – Philip’s message “believed” 8:12-13
d. The apostles’ transitional ministry of validation – The Holy Spirit 8:14-17 e. Simon’s lapse of faith – The danger of commercialized ministry 8:18-24
B. The Conversion of Paul 9:1-31
C. The Conversion of Gentiles 9:32-11:30
D. The Christians Persecuted by Herod 12:1-25
III. Christian witness to the uttermost part of the earth 13:1-28:31 A. The First Missionary Journey 13:1-14:28
B. The Council at Jerusalem 15:1-35
C. The Second Missionary Journey 15:36-18:22
D. The Third Missionary Journey 18:23-21:26
E. The Journey to Rome 21:27-28:27 Conclusion 28:28-31
Key Verse(s) – The expansion of the Christian witness beyond Jerusalem begins
Acts 8:12-13 (NASB) *Philip’s ministry accompanied by signs in Samaria was effective “But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.”
“…the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52 (NASB)