Saul's persecution of the church

The church is persecuted and scatters

1) And Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

Stephen's death is only the beginning; the floodgates of persecution have now been opened against the Christians.

On Sunday, January 8, 1956, on the shores of a lonely river deep in the jungles of Ecuador, five missionaries were murdered by the natives they came to tell about Jesus. To many, this death seemed like a senseless tragedy. Many could only see five young missionaries, who had their careers cut short, or the five widows and fatherless children. But God did an amazing work through those five men, even in their deaths, and the blessing still reverberates through people like Elisabeth Elliot - one of the five women whose husband was murdered.

In the same way, Stephen's death might seem sort of meaningless at first glance. His young ministry of power and eloquence was cut abruptly short. His ministry also seemed to end in failure - no one was immediately saved, and all that came forth was more persecution against the church. But as always has been the case, the blood of the martyrs became the seed of the church.

Now, the church is forced to do what it had been reluctant to do: get the gospel out to the surrounding areas. Clearly, in Acts 1:8, Jesus had told His followers to look beyond Jerusalem, to bring the gospel to Judea, Samaria, and the whole world. But to this point, Jesus' followers hadn't done this. God can and will use pressing circumstances to guide us into His will. When everything is fine, we may have never considered going a certain course; then a crisis opens our eyes to that course. Sometimes we have to be shaken out of our comfortable state before we do what God wants us to!

The burial of Stephen

2) On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.

Seemingly, these devout men were Jews who were horrified at what had been done to Stephen; perhaps this is Luke's way of showing that not all Jews were enemies of Christianity.

Since Jewish law prohibited open mourning for someone that had been executed, Luke's account that these devout men . . . made great lamentation over him may suggest their repentance towards God as well as their sorrow over Stephen.

Saul continues his persecution

3) But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
4) Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

What did Saul do? Made havoc uses an ancient word which could refer to an army destroying a city or a wild animal tearing at its meat. He viciously attacked Christians.

What kind of attitude did he do it with? Consenting probably isn't strong enough; the idea behind the Greek word suneudokeo is "to approve, to be pleased with." Some people are reluctant persecutors, but Saul wasn't one of these. He took pleasure in attacking Christians. "Not only did he not spare the women, but he did not stop short of seeking - and securing - his victims' death (9:1; 22:4; 26:10)."

The end result is for the glory of God, because the persecution simply serves to spread the message. We shouldn't think that those who left Jerusalem left as formal preachers; most were "accidental missionaries" who shared Jesus wherever they went. "The statement that they preached the word is misleading; the Greek expression does not necessarily mean more than shared the good news." We can be just like these early Christians! We can share the good news of what Jesus has done in our lives. Most people don't come to Jesus through a professional preacher or an evangelist; they come to Jesus through people just like us.

Philip preaches to the Samaritans

Philip brings the gospel to the Samaritans

5) Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6) When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7) With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. 8) So there was great joy in that city.

After the gospel had been rejected again by the Jews, we see God extending the offer of salvation in Jesus out to other peoples, beginning with the Samaritans.

Six hundred years before this, the Assyrians conquered this area of northern Israel and the deported all the wealthy and middle-class Jews from the area. They then moved in a pagan population from afar. These pagans intermarried with the lowest classes of remaining Jews in northern Israel, and from these people came the Samaritans. "There was deep-seated prejudice, amounting almost to hatred, standing between the Jews and the Samaritans."  James and John (and the other disciples as well) once thought that the Samaritans were only good for being torched by God's judgment (Luke 9:51-56).

Philip, like Stephen, was one of the men chosen to serve the church family in practical ways when the dispute regarding Hellenist widows arose (Acts 6:5).

He was one of those forced to flee persecution (8:1), ending up in Samaria.

Samaritans were universally regarded with revulsion by Jews, who considered them compromising half-breeds who corrupted the worship of the true God. Jesus' experience with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) and His story about the kindness of a Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) illustrate this point.  Because Philip had been touched by Jesus, there was no room for this kind of prejudice in his heart. He wasn't a racist towards the Samaritans.

Philip comes presenting the gospel, with signs and wonders following as an impressive confirmation; when the people found Jesus, there was great joy in that city! Undoubtedly, one reason there was such fruit was that Jesus had sown the seed in Samaria during His ministry (John 4:1-26); now Philip is reaping the harvest.

There are those who read the Gospels and the book of Acts and say, `Well, it's interesting that Jesus cast out demons, and that the early Church was involved in deliverance ministry; but we're beyond that today.' Let me read to you what Dr. Phillips has to say about that:

Modern psychology has done much to turn our attention away from demonic activity. For now you see we have so many other more plausible explanations for abnormal and aberrant human behavior. Today, we have phobias and psychoses and syndromes; we find causes for our depressions and distortions in childhood experiences, in sex, in heredity.

Much of that may be true enough. But none of it gives credibility to what the Bible says about demon possession and oppression. We might be very much surprised if the truth were really told to discover that demons are as active in the twentieth century as they were in the first.

Simon the Sorcerer believes

9) Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10) and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11) They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12) But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13) Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

This Simon had fair degree of local fame; he was honored as one who did just have the power of God; they said of him this man is the great power of God.

Remember that sorcery in the Bible always has the connection with the occult and with drug-taking; whatever real power Simon had, it was from Satan, not God. The specific wording indicates that Simon was a magi. In the ancient world there was a class of astronomers and scientists known as magi (Matthew 2:1), but local wizards and sorcerers also took the title - and preyed on the ignorance and superstitions of the common people.  "Ramsay describes the magi (esp. the lower sort who appealed to the widespread superstition of the ancient world) as the strongest influence that existed in that world and one that must either destroy or be destroyed by Christianity."

The Samaritans wrongly assumed that because Simon had real spiritual power that it was from God; but that simply wasn't the case.

Simon is convinced by Philip's preaching and amazing miracles, to the point where he declares belief, is baptized, and continued with Philip - became a follower of Philip and his ministry.

The Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit as Peter and John laid hands upon them

14) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15) When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16) because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17) Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus gave unto Peter (and the other apostles) the keys of the kingdom of heaven, it was really for these kinds of purposes: to officially welcome those (the Samaritans) who had previously been excluded from the people of God into the kingdom of God.

Obviously, there was a subsequent experience with the Holy Spirit that these Samaritan believers did not know until the apostles came and ministered to them.

We are not told exactly what gave evidence to the fact that they had now received the Holy Spirit; perhaps certain spiritual gifts were manifested (1 Corinthians 12:7-10).

The fact that these Christians received the Holy Spirit in what seems to be a subsequent experience to their salvation has caused much controversy; there have been different explanations offered. They were never saved to begin with under Philip's preaching; when Peter and John came, the really trusted in Jesus and then received the Holy Spirit. They were really saved, and then, in a subsequent experience, received the Holy Spirit in a pattern that believers should follow today. They were really saved at Philip's preaching, yet God, in a unique move, withheld the gift of the Holy Spirit until it could be bestowed on them by Peter and John, to ensure continuity between the church in Jerusalem and the new church in Samaria, guarding against division. They were really saved, and did really receive the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion, but were given special gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit at the laying on of hands by Peter and John.

The last option seems to best explain what happened; whatever the Samaritans experienced, it seems to have been more than the "regular" impartation of the Holy Spirit at salvation. God has special gifts and graces to bestow on us - why would we be afraid of having someone lay hands on us and pray for us?

Peter confronts Simon and his desire to gain the things of God with money

18) When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19) and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20) Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21) You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22) Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23) For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."
24) Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."
25) When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.  

Simon did not really desire the Holy Spirit for himself, but the ability to impart the power of the Holy Spirit to others at his will - something that would give him much spiritual authority. He wanted to be "in charge" of the Holy Spirit! He regarded the Holy Spirit as a "power" he could use as he willed, instead of a Person who would rule his life. "The sin was a desire to possess spiritual power for personal ends." The practice of purchasing offices or influence in the church became known as Simony, because it is done in the same spirit as this Simon.

We must again praise Peter for his bold discernment, and realize how difficult it would have been to stand by and watch this confrontation. The tendency today would have been to say to Peter, "Hey, lighten up on Simon! Look, he's a new Christian!" or whatever else. Peter was willing to tell Simon the truth in love - though it was hard for Simon and those standing by to hear it.  Phillips translates verse 20 with to hell with you and your money - offensive to some, but a rather accurate translation.

Simon was definitely poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity; yet Peter doesn't attempt to cast a demon of bitterness or iniquity out of him. Instead, Peter calls him to repentance, prayer, and righteousness.

Simon gave every outward evidence to being saved. He expressed a belief in the preaching of Philip and was baptized (Acts 8:13), and we can be sure that Philip would not have baptized Simon if he didn't think he really wanted to follow Jesus. Simon also continued with Philip (8:13) and attended meetings of the church (8:18). But when Peter says, You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God (Acts 8:21), it is a pretty clear indication that Simon belief was superficial and his baptism just a ceremony.

In this matter is literally "in these words" or "in this message"; Simon had shown (and Peter had discernment to see) that he really had no part in the message of who Jesus was and what He did to save us. Peter also made it clear that Simon was headed towards hell - that is exactly what is meant by the phrase Your money perish with you. "Men may come very near, they may be intellectually convinced of the supremacy of Jesus; they may even decide that they will adopt His ethical ideal; they may go so far as to determine that they will imitate the perfection of His example. But these things do not make men Christians."

What prevented Simon from coming to a genuine belief in Jesus? Probably it was pride. Before the coming of Philip and the gospel, Simon was an admired holy man in the region - so much so that people declared, This man is the great power of God (Acts 8:10), and had been admired for a long time (8:11). A proud person might give an outward display of faith - because it's the "right thing" to do. But in the secret place of their heart, they may fail to submit to Jesus Christ.

Instead of actually humbling his own heart before God, Simon asks Peter to pray he would be spared the consequences of his sin. This shows Simon felt a true conviction of the Holy Spirit, but had not yet been willing to humble his own heart before God. Peter couldn't do it for him!

What must we do to have our heart . . . right in the sight of God? We must trust in Jesus, in whom He is and what He has done to save us, with our heart. It is a private transaction, something no one can do for you, but you must do with God yourself. As bad as Simon's case was, he could still Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you (Acts 8:22). The door of repentance and getting the heart right with God was open to Simon if he would but take it.

We don't know what became of Simon; if he followed through for himself on the conviction of heart evident in 8:24. Church tradition says he went off the deep end, and became a dangerous false teacher among the early Christians. Or maybe he did repent and get his heart right with God.

Philip preaches to the Ethiopian

Philip, led by the Holy Spirit, is directed to an Ethiopian government official

26) Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27) So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28) and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29) The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

It seems that Philip would have objected to leaving the great success of the work in Samaria to go out to the desolate desert, but God had a plan in it all.

This is desert reminds us that Philip's errand was foolish from man's perspective, but wise in God. "There were two roads from Jerusalem to Gaza, and the Spirit commands Philip to take the one that was seldom used."

Philip encounters an Ethiopian proselyte to Judaism returning from Jerusalem - reading the Bible! Of great authority: The Ethiopian was undoubtedly a successful man; yet his success obviously didn't answer all the questions in his life. He knew he needed some real spiritual answers in his life. He was seeking God. Candace was the title for certain female royalty in Ethiopia. 

The Ethiopian was hungry for God's Word; the scroll would have cost the Ethiopian a lot of money - he would have had to really want to get it!

Philip preaches Jesus to the Ethiopian

30) Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked.
31) "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32) The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:
   "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.
    33) In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
       Who can speak of his descendants?
       For his life was taken from the earth."
34) The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35) Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

The Spirit said to Philip: it took real boldness for Philip to go right up to the Ethiopian's chariot and speak to him - but that is what the Holy Spirit told him to do. The Ethiopian was a rich man, a man of power, a celebrity - yet Philip knew he needed Jesus just a much as anyone else. Why do we fear telling "important" people about Jesus? We often shrink back from speaking boldly about Jesus, and the world lets us know we shouldn't talk about such things. But does the world shrink back from cramming its gospel down our throats? How many people are upset when all sorts of immorality and lies are forced upon us? We will be just as bold to the world about Jesus as the world is bold to us about sin!

Plainly, God had arranged this meeting between Philip and the Ethiopian; this is a glorious example of how God opens doors for evangelism. God wouldn't have directed Philip unless God had already arranged an open door. Our greatest task in preaching the gospel is praying for open doors, and in keeping alert to opportunities God presents to us.  Philip was effective as an evangelist because he knew how to flow with the Holy Spirit; he was truly led by the Spirit, not by his own whims and feelings.

In the ancient world, it was common to read aloud. Philip knew what the Ethiopian was reading by listening as he read.

It was good for the Ethiopian to be reading the Bible, but unless understanding was brought to him, there would be little benefit from his reading. But God had brought someone (Philip) to bring understanding.  How can I, unless someone guides me? is the proper question of anyone who wants to understand the Bible. We should never feel bad if we need to be taught before we can understand many things.

It is glorious for us to come to understanding of the great truths of Scripture on our own; but God always has a place and a purpose for teachers in the body of Christ. But to get anything from our Bibles, we must plunge in. Butterflies wander over the flowers in the garden and accomplish nothing. But bees plunge right down into the flower, and carry away essential food. We won't get anything if we just hover over our Bibles; we have to dive right in.

Regarding this passage from Isaiah, the Jews of that day had different ways they interpreted the identity of this suffering servant. Some held it was the nation itself, as Israel had suffered greatly in wars, exile, and persecution. Some thought the suffering servant was Isaiah writing about himself. Some though the suffering servant was the Messiah, but they thought this hard to accept, because they didn't want to think of the Messiah suffering.

Beginning at this Scripture: Philip talked about more than this passage from Isaiah, but this is where he started. He started at common ground with the Ethiopian, but made his way to talking about Jesus.

Philip's effective preaching consisted in explaining who Jesus was (like a lamb . . . preached Jesus) and what He has done for us (He was led as a sheep to the slaughter); this is the essence of the gospel. Too many are out preaching what we must do for God; but the gospel begins with what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.

The Ethiopian's response to the gospel; Philip's mysterious departure

36) As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?" 38) And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39) When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40) Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

The Ethiopian himself was ready to respond to the gospel; this was a work of the Holy Spirit, not a tribute to Philip's "salesmanship."

Philip insisted that the Ethiopian believe with all his heart before being baptized; this is the gospel in a nutshell. The devil has the faith of the head, but he hates the truth in his heart. God wants His truth not only in our heads, but in our hearts. We may intellectually know Jesus died for the sins of the world; but do we know in our hearts He died to cleanse our sins?

The Ethiopian's confession of faith (I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God), taken in all its implication, is the essential belief for anyone who will come to God.

The logical response was to be baptized as a declaration of faith; notice that clearly, Philip immersed the Ethiopian in baptism.

Suddenly, Philip was carried away (while the Ethiopian was still in the water where he was baptized!) by the Spirit of the Lord; he was "transported" supernaturally to the former Philistine city of Azotus (Ashdod).  

This is a strange, perhaps unprecedented event in the Scriptures; but a similar thing happened when the disciple's boat came immediately to its destination (John 6:15-21), and a similar thing will also happen when the church is caught up together with Him at the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18).

The joy of the Ethiopian, even after Philip's strange departure, shows that his faith was firmly rooted in God, not in Philip.

"If Christ is hindered, it is because some Philip is not willing to go!"

Chapter 9

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