OVERVIEW OF CHAPTERS 8-11 The transition from Israel to the Gentiles (chapter 8); the salvation of the missionary to the Gentiles (chapter 9); the transition to the Gentiles confirmed by apostolic authority (chapter 10); the transition from Jerusalem to Antioch (chapter 11.)

Simon believed but did he get SAVED? Question to ponder: Simon believed but did he get SAVED?

1 The Apostles send Peter and John because they got word that something was happening in Samaria, however they had not received the HOLY GHOST as of yet.  

  2 These people did not get “SAVED” until the Apostles laid their hands on them. It is once again important to note that a TRANSITION is taking place as nobody gets saved like this today.

  3 The important thing to note here is that the DOCTRINE of SALVATION for the CHURCH AGE has not been clearly defined yet and throughout the book of Acts we see many different ways people get saved while the transition is taking place.

  4 Evidence of the possibility that Simon is not saved is that he tries to buy the gift of the HOLY GHOST.

5 Notice the Angel of the Lord is equated with the SPIRIT in v 29.  

  6 Philip now moves from Samaria to the UTTERMOST parts of the world as he speaks to an Ethiopian on his way to Jerusalem.

  7 The Ethiopian was reading ISAIAH 53 trying to understand what it meant

  8 Most people who read the Bible without the assistance of the HOLY GHOST will read Scripture and not be able to understand.

Pro 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: Pro 9:9-10 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Isa 53:3-5 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Isa 53:6-7 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

  9 This is the first occurrence of the BLOOD ATONEMENT in connection with Salvation as Jesus taught through the LAST SUPPER.

Mat 26:27-28 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

  10 Notice that Philip preached JESUS from Isaiah 53; most Jewish commentators teach that this passage is about the nation of ISRAEL and its struggles missing the greatest witness in the Bible about their MESSIAH.

11 Take note that Acts 8:37 is removed from most modern day TRANSLATIONS of the Bible, and by taking it out they have taught the heresy of BAPTISMAL REGENERATION. If you take this verse out you have the Ethiopian getting dunked without ever believing.

12 Also take note that there is no sprinkling in this text, the Ethiopian was FULLY IMMERSED.