Bible Studies
The eighth chapter of Acts begins by saying that a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem. Saul, who had been in "hearty agreement" in stoning Peter, began "entering house to house and dragging off men and women..." Doesn't this parallel what is happening to Christians in some of the Middle Eastern nations? Due to the persecution the early Christians began scattering into other regions.
Verse 4 begins with the word "therefore." Someone once said that when you see that word, find out what it is there for. The only thing to which it could possibly refer is what is said in the previous three verses. It is saying that because of the increased persecution, the disciples were motivated all the more to spread the gospel message. The entire verse says, "Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word." In our culture today, there should be a sense of urgency before Christians are totally silenced. If you are up on what is really happening, then you know that persecution of Christians has already started even in America. This section of the chapter closes with Philip not only preaching, but also exercising demons out of people and healing the sick and paralyzed.
In verses 9-13 the focus is put on a magician named Simon, who had astonished many people for a long time with his acts of magic. However, when he heard the gospel he was converted and baptized, along with many others.
The ministry shifts to Samaria with Peter and John in verses 14-25. It includes the laying on of hands to empower people with the Holy Spirit. The magic was not out of Simon, though. He offered money to buy the gift of the Spirit, and Peter severely rebuked him for it, saying that his heart was not "right before God," and told him to repent. Here is an important lesson: There are new believers in the Lord who still manifest their old nature, but as these people mature in the Lord we will see less of the old and more of the new. Patience and gentleness must be exhibited toward such individuals.
As the disciples headed back to Jerusalem, God redirected Philip. Verse 26 says that an "angel of the Lord' spoke to him. What does this phrase mean? According to the Bible Hub Expository Greek Testament, "St. Luke means that the communication was made to Philip by an angel, and that therefore all attempts to explain his words as meaning that Philip felt a sudden inward impulse or that he had a vision in a dream are unacceptable." Was it an angel appearing as an actual person communicating with Philip? It cannot be ruled out. There are countless stories of people who have seen someone appearing from out of nowhere in times of need, and then vanishing without a trace.
Philip was called to a divine appointment. On his way he found a man sitting in a chariot reading from the book of Isaiah. Verse 29 says, "And the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go up and join this chariot.'" Philip did so, and asked the man if he understood what he was reading. That is a very significant question. When a person makes a decision to accept Christ it is important to understand the message of the gospel, lest it be made based upon some feeling. Verse 35 goes on to say that Philip preached Jesus to the man and as they came to some water (verse 36) the man asked, "What prevents me from being baptized?" Baptism is important. This is the third time it is mentioned in connection with conversion.
Verse 37 puts a condition of confesing Christ before baptism. The man in the chariot responded, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." This verse makes it very clear that baptism does not save a person. Confession comes before baptism. Philip ordered the chariot to stop by the water and baptized the man.
This chapter closes on a very interesting note. After the baptism, "the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away..." and he was seen no more, but "found himself at Azotus" (verses 39-40). Philip was supernaturally transplanted to a different place in a moment of time, and "he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea." I believe that this gives a preview of the New Testament teaching in I Thessalonians 4:17 where it says that sometime during the last days that Christians will be "caught up," in what some people refer to as the rapture.
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God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
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to seize, carry off by force
to seize on, claim for one's self eagerly
to snatch out or away.
And that for sure is the "rapture" as you and I know it! Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!