Study From the Book of Acts,8

Study From the Book of Acts,8  

Today we study the eighth chapter of the Book of Acts and we choose two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in Biblical Counselling.

The church father Augustine wrote that the church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen. Saul who later became Paul, never forgot the way Stephen died and, he also did not conceal that he was in full agreement with the killing.

The book of Acts speaks about the scattering of the first believers from Jerusalem because of persecution as scattering seeds on the ground so that the church will grow.  Philp went to preach the gospel to Samaria breaking the boundary of the hatred between the Jews and the Samaritans that lasted for decades. A lot of them believed and Peter had to go to them (as the Lord Jesus had given him the keys of the kingdom) to receive the Holy Spirit.  Peter was the one who God would use to open the doors to the Jews, Samaritans and the Gentiles.

Simon, the sorcerer, saw the gifts of the Holy Spirit and although he was baptized, his belief was not genuine as he wanted to get the gifts of the Holy Spirit by money. So, he was rebuked by the apostle Peter.

The chapter is ended by Philip preaching the gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch, the man of high authority. Philip explained to him the passage of Isaiah about Jesus suffering and his death on the Cross to redeem us from sin and to have eternal life. The Ethiopian man believed and baptised and went in his way rejoicing. Philip then was caught away to Azotus and up to Caesaria. The terminology indicates a miraculous transportation.

Structure:

Verses 1-3: Saul persecuted the church

Verses 4-8: Christ was preached in Samaria

Verses 9-13: the sorcerer profession of faith

Verses 14-25: the sorcerer’s sin

Verses 26-40: Christ is preached to an Ethiopian.

Principle 15: verse 8:4 ---“Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.”

Lesson 15: God is an expert at using even hardship and suffering for His glory and our benefit. The opponents of Christ intended that their persecution wipe out the church; instead, it spread it rapidly.

Principle 16: 8:37: --"Then Philip said ‘if you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’”

Lesson 16: Philip made wholehearted belief in the resurrection of Christ a prerequisite for baptising the Ethiopian eunuch. In baptism we identify with the death and resurrection of Christ and begin a new way of living in His name.  23/3/2025