## Study of the Book of Acts - Part 9

Tonight we continue our study of the book of Acts. Remember we are using the Scriptural outline for the book found in 1:8.

(Acts 1:8b) "…Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Tonight we continue studying the development of Christianity in Jerusalem.

I. Christianity in Jerusalem 1:1-8:3

A. The risen Lord 1:1-26

B. Pentecost 2:1-47

C. The Healing of a Lame Man 3:1-26

D. The beginning of persecution 4:1-37

E. Purging the Church 5:1-42

F. Conflict within the Church 6:1-7

G. Stephen - The First Martyr 6:8 - 8:3

II. Christianity in Judea and Samaria 8:4-12:25

A. The Christians scattered and the ministry of Philip - Acts 8:4-40

1. The Preaching in Samaria v 4-25

a. The scattering was God's method of fulfilling Acts 1:8 "They went everywhere preaching the Word"

(Acts 11:19) Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

b. Philip went to Samaria proclaiming Christ v4-8

1) Philip was one man chosen to serve in Acts 6

2) Philip's proclamation of Christ was confirmed by miraculous signs

3) Once again the gospel resulted in great joy

c. Professions of faith v9-13

1) Simon the sorcerer

a) He had the ability to exercise control over people by demonic power

b) People held him in amazement because of his sorcery

c) They called him the Great Power of God

2) When the people identified with Jesus Christ through their baptism.

3) Even Simon made a profession of faith and continued to be amazed at Philip's ability to do signs and miracles.

d. The proof of the work v14-17

1) The Jerusalem church sent Peter and John

a) To prevent a schism between the two groups

b) To authenticate the ministry of Philip

c) To pray for the Holy Spirit to come upon these believers

2) As the Apostles laid their hands upon them praying, they received the Holy Spirit

NOTE: Remember that we have in view here the church in transition - God no longer deals with believers in this manner. Now the Holy Spirit baptizes, indwells, and seals at the moment of faith!

e. The perversion of truth v18-24

1) Simon tries to buy Apostolic power

a) The text indicates that Simon was an observer and not a participant

b) Simon offered the Apostles money for this power - indicating his ignorance of the working of God

2) Peter soundly rebukes him for his request

a) He tells him that his money will perish with him

b) He declares that he has no part in the matter of receiving the Holy Spirit because his heart isn't right with God!

3) Peter calls on him to repent because he is in "the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity."

a) This is a similar reference to Moses' warning of idolatry and apostasy.

(Deuteronomy 29:17-18) And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:) Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;

b) Simon was still captivated by false doctrine and sin

c) His belief was not saving faith

d) Simon calls on Peter to Pray for him - perhaps out of fear for God's judgment.

f. The promotion of the work v25

1) Peter and John returned to Jerusalem convinced that God was at work among the Samaritans

2) So much that they preached in many Samaritan villages on their way back

3) This was significant due to the hatred between Jews and Samaritans

2. The preaching on the Gaza road 8:26-40

a. The command v26

1) Clearly came from God

2) Philip was being divinely directed in his ministry

3) God sent him into the desert - away from a fruitful ministry in Samaria

b. The contact v27-30

1) The Ethiopian Eunuch v27

a) A man of great authority

b) The queen's treasurer

c) A worshiper of Jehovah

2) He coming back from Jerusalem v28

a) As he rode he was reading from the book of Isaiah

b) This indicates both his wealth and his education: he was no common slave

3) Philip was led by the Holy Spirit v29-30

a) Because he was obedient to God's messenger, it opened the way to be led by the Spirit of God

b) He was obedient to the Spirit's leading and asked the Eunuch if he could understand what he was reading

c) Any other time, this question might be offensive but Philip was under the leading of God's Spirit in this matter

c. The conversion

1) The Eunuch was perplexed v31-34

a) As he read the passage from Isaiah he did not understand who Isaiah was referring to

b) The passage was Isaiah 53:7-8

(Isaiah 53:7-8) 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. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

c) Before the coming of Jesus, the Jews understood this passage to be referring to the Messiah.

Note: However, when Christians made application to Jesus the Jews changed their view on the passage and said it was referring to Isaiah or to the nation of Israel.

d) So it is understandable he might be confused about the meaning.

2) Philip preaches Christ v35

a) What an opportunity to witness ... Spirit led.

b) Philip used this passage to convey the gospel message to this man.

c) From what follows it seems that the Ethiopian Eunuch believed the gospel and received Christ.

d. The consequences v36-40

1) The first consequence of Philip's preaching was the conversion of the Eunuch

a) This is born out by his desire to be obedient

b) Philip confirmed this by clarifying what was necessary before one could be baptized v 37

c) Then they stopped the chariot and Philip baptized this man

2) The second consequence for the Eunuch was joy v 37

3) After the baptism was completed, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip.

a) This catching away is the same as we find in I Thessalonians where Paul speaks of the rapture of the saints

b) The concept here is sudden removal - supernatural!

c) The Eunuch saw him no more - he disappeared!

4) Philip was found 20 miles away in the city of Azotus (Ashdod) on his way to Caesarea, preaching in all the cities as he went through them

Next Time: Saul's Conversion on Road to Damascus