We continue in the book of Acts or our Summer Reading Challenge of 2022. Today’s reflections from Acts chapter 8 address the expanded persecution and then proclamation of Christ by Philip.
- Acts 8 essentially has 3 main movements: (1) Saul ravages the church (8:1-3); (2) Philip proclaims the Christ in Samaria (8:4-25); and (3) Philip proclaims Christ to the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:26-40).
- Today’s episode will look at the significance of the persecution against the believers in Jerusalem at the hand of Saul and Philip’s engagement with the Ethiopian Eunuch.
Part 1: Suffering Scatters the Gospel Seeds
- During Stephen’s execution at the hand of the angry mob, we meet a character by the name of Saul. He was overseeing, or as we see in 8:1 “approving” of Stephen’s execution.
- With such punitive measures of execution now taken — not only upon the leader of this new religious movement (i.e. Jesus), but now also upon the followers of this movement — Stephen’s death set a new precedent in how the religious leaders in the Jewish community could handle these pockets of Jesus followers springing up.
- And so we read that”there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem.”
- The result was that the believers were all scattered throughout different regions in Judea and Samaria. The Apostles however remain in Jerusalem.
- While we never want to label evil acts of wicked people “good” — we can say that what these zealous persecutors of the church intended for death of this new movement, God used for good. In the church’s scattering, we see a fulfillment of Jesus words in Acts 1:8 — “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”
- The suffering of faithful believers, and the subsequent scattering across Judea and Jerusalem directly results in the sowing of Gospel seeds in these places. The prime example of this is Philip in chapter 8. We will look at one example momentarily.
- One final note on Saul raving the church – Luke specifies that he was entering house after house. This is a significant picture. Where would you go to be safe? The homes, the places of peace and security — where they should be safe — Saul takes away this place and sense of safety.
- Furthermore, he dragged off both men and women and committed them to prison. This meant that children would have been left either to (a) fend for themselves, (b) in the care of relatives, or (c) in the care of other believers at the risk of drawing attention to themselves.
- This would be, for me, perhaps the greatest challenge as a parent not knowing what would become of my child. Yet this was the reality faced by these believers.
- Furthermore, he dragged off both men and women and committed them to prison. This meant that children would have been left either to (a) fend for themselves, (b) in the care of relatives, or (c) in the care of other believers at the risk of drawing attention to themselves.
- Saul’s persecution of the church was a significant part of his testimony throughout his life. We see him testify to it twice in the book of Acts (see 22:4-6 and 26:10-11) and in four of his letters (1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13, 23; Philippians 3:6; and 1 Timothy 1:13).
- While he had acted ignorantly in unbelief, he would call himself the chief of sinners. One for whom Christ Jesus came into the world to save. He would say “I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:16)
- And while he was acting out of zeal and hatred, it was because of this that church spreads out her comfort zone!
- And that brings us to part 2…
Part 2: Philip’s Proclamation of the Gospel
- In verses 4-25 we see Philip preaching the Gospel in Samaria. This would have been Philip, one of the seven men chosen to serve in Acts 6:5 — not the Apostle Philip, who would have remained in Jerusalem with the other Apostles (8:1).
- After the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that people in Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John. They came down and prayed that they may receive the Holy Spirit, for He had not yet fallen on any of them (8:14-15). And after they had finished their mission, they return to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans (8:25).
- Philip’s mission was also finished in Samaria – “an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza'” (8:26).
- This area was a desert region, and Gaza was the last place to water your animals between Jerusalem and Egypt.
- On this road, Philip found an Ethiopian – this would have been the ancient Nubian Kingdom. This man was a eunuch and the treasurer for Candace, the Queen of the Ethiopians. Interestingly enough, he was also someone who worshipped the God of Israel, and so was in Jerusalem to visit the temple. He was on his journey back to Ethiopia and was along the road to Gaza.
- Notice this in verse 29 – “the Spirit said to Philip “Go over and join this chariot.'” How exactly Philip experienced this, we are not sure other than he know it was the Spirit and that he knew which chariot to visit. And Philip immediately ran to the chariot.
- I don’t know about you, but when I am responding to the Lord’s guidance, sometimes I am slow, and maybe crawling towards the objective – My friend, when the Lord gives you that clear direction, don’t hesitate – run after it!
- Philip hears what the Ethiopian Eunuch is reading — and it is the prophet Isaiah! Philip asks if he understands and the door is opened for the Gospel!
- The Eunuch invites Philip up into the chariot and they look at the scroll – it was Isaiah 53! One of the clearest declarations from the Old Testament about the substitutionary death of Jesus on behalf of those He would save!
- The Eunuch asks who this passage is about — and then verse 35, a precious verse – “Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.”
- The truth that Christ suffered and died – the JUST for the UNJUST — his life was taken that we might live. Where we rejected God, He obeyed him perfectly — and be faith we receive this precious gift – He takes our curse, we receive His blessing!
- Friend, this is a challenge to me! If I encounter someone reading through the Scriptures, wherever they are in the Scriptures, can I point them to the Good News about Jesus? This is the testimony of the New Testament, the whole of the Old Testament point forward to Christ and either foreshadows, foretells, or is fulfilled in Christ!
- Let us learn the joyful truth of how the whole Bible proclaims the goodness and greatness of God in the Gospel!
- As they continue on their journey, the Eunuch sees some water and proclaims to Philip — “Here is water! What prevents me from being baptized” (8:38)? It is clear that the Eunuch had the understanding that the good new about Jesus, the Gospel requires a response!
- Whether he came by that understanding through Philip’s proclamation or through his visits in Jerusalem — he did not want to be hindered!
- And what about you my friend? Have you responded to this Good News? Have you received the Gospel – the grace of God which is not earned by works but received by faith? Have you responded as the Eunuch? If you have not been baptized, I would encourage you to talk with your local pastor about what that means and how you can respond to the Gospel.
- If you want to learn about Baptism, I have provided a link in the description to a document. That document is used at the church where I serve as an Associate Pastor for those who are considering Baptism.
Conclusion & Application:
- So my friend, have you read through Acts chapter 8 yet? Which parts stood out to you? Do you have any questions about this passage? Do you have questions about baptism? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
- What can we learn from this chapter of Acts?
- (1) the worst persecution can produce the sowing of gospel seeds – do not lose heart – the Lord is still sovereign!
- (2) do you listen for the voice of the Spirit guiding you to share the Gospel? Notice what the focus was for Philip – proclaiming Christ from the Scriptures.
- May God grant us the boldness to proclaim His truth to ourselves and to this dying world in desperate need of the Savior!
“Immanuel Baptist Church’s Statement on Baptism” (https://ibcbeulah.com/statement-on-baptism)
“ESV Study Bible” (https://amzn.to/3azWAlJ)
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