1. Acts 8
Scattered throughout
Judea and Samaria

2. Theme of Acts
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

3. Outline of Acts
1:8

4. Persecution located in Jerusalem
Persecution Has Begun
Persecution located in Jerusalem
Disciples scattered through Judea and Samaria
Apostles stayed in Jerusalem
Saul “began to destroy” the church

5. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Acts 8:4

6. Would you ever pray for a persecution?
Point to Ponder
Would you ever pray for a persecution?

7. Samaria Between Judea and Galilee
Leftovers from Assyrian invasion (722 B.C.) who mixed with other races
Mount Gerazim was their Jerusalem.

8. Samaria Receives the Gospel!
Philip proclaimed Christ there. (5)
Philip worked miracles and cast out demons.
Great joy in the city. (8)
They were baptized. (12)

9. The Holy Spirit Comes to Samaria
Apostles sent Peter and John.
Holy Spirit had not come on them.
Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
This is not the typical order of receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts.

10. The Holy Spirit Comes to Samaria
Why?
Apostles sent Peter and John.
Holy Spirit had not come on them.
Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
This is not the typical order of receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts.

11. The Holy Spirit Comes to Samaria
It appears that this “out-of-the- ordinary” reception of the Holy Spirit was for the purpose of emphasizing that God truly accepted the Samaritans as Christians.

12. Simon the Sorcerer Worked magic Known as “The Great Power”
Tried to buy the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit.
Rebuked by Peter

13. The Gospel Spreads
Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. (8:25)
1:8

14. The Ethiopian Eunuch Desert road to Gaza
Ethiopia – Nubia in Southern Egypt
Secretary of Treasury for Nubian Queen
Probably a Jew or Proselyte
Reading Isaiah 53

15. Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53
He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth….

16. Baptism of the Ethiopian
Told him the good news about Jesus.
Ethiopian asked to be baptized.
Vs. 37 is not in oldest manuscripts or newer translations.
Went on his way rejoicing. (39)
Philip went to Azotus (Ashdod) on his way to Caesarea.

17. …the spirit of the Lord took Philip away…and the eunuch…went on his way rejoicing. (39)

18. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus (Ashdod)…
…and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.