Acts 8-10

Acts 8

from: https://www.thebiblejourney.org/biblejourney1/7-journeys-of-jesuss-followers/philips-journeys/

After Stephen’s death, severe persecution begins

• Believers scatter throughout Judea and Samaria
• The apostles remain in Jerusalem

Paul (Saul):

• ravages the church
• enters homes
• drags off believers to prison

Philip goes to Samaria. He:

• proclaims Christ
• performs miracles
• casts out unclean spirits
• heals the paralyzed and lame

“There was much joy in that city.” The gospel now moves into Samaria. This fulfills Acts 1:8.

Simon Magus amazes people with magic and he claims greatness

• He believes and is baptized
• but later tries to buy the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Peter rebukes him
  • “May your silver perish with you…”
• Simon seems to repent 

“Fun” fact: Did you know “Simony” means the buying spiritual office/power

An angel directs Philip to the desert road.

• He meets an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah 53
• The suffering servant passage points to Jesus
• The eunuch believes and is baptized.

Acts 9

Saul travels to Damascus to arrest Christians.Suddenly:

• a bright light appears
• Jesus speaks: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
• He tells Saul to enter the city
• Saul becomes blind and does not eat or drink for three days

Ananias of Damascus receives a vision from the Lord to go to Saul. He is initially afraid because of Saul’s reputation,but obeys.

God says “He is a chosen instrument of Mine…” Saul:

• regains sight
• is filled with the Spirit
• is baptized

Saul immediately proclaims Jesus is the Son of God. People are amazed because he formerly persecuted Christians

Jews plot to kill Saul. He escapes Damascus by being lowered in a basket through the wall

Barnabas introduces Saul to fearful believers in Jerusalem.

Simon Peter heals a paralyzed man of 8 years named Aeneas. Many turn to the Lord.

Tabitha (Dorcas) dies.Peter prays and says: “Tabitha, arise.” She is restored to life.

Many believe in the Lord.

Acts 10

Cornelius was a Roman centurion who fears God and prays continually

• An angel tells him to send for Peter
• He sends his two servants to Joppa

Peter sees:

• a sheet descending from heaven
• filled with animals considered unclean under Jewish law
• A voice says: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
• Peter refuses.
• God replies “What God has made clean, do not call common.”

The vision happens three times.

The Spirit tells Peter go with Cornelius’ men without hesitation. Peter goes. 

Cornelius falls before Peter, but Peter says “I too am a man.”

• Peter realizes “God shows no partiality.”
• The gospel is not only for Jews.

Peter proclaims:

• Jesus’ ministry
• crucifixion
• resurrection
• Jesus as judge of all

“everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins”

The Holy Spirit falls on Gentiles who heard the Word. Jewish believers are astonished because Gentiles receive the same Spirit. Peter commands them to be baptized

Application

The gospel has now expanded outward to the nations. The Holy Spirit is not just for the Jew, but also the Gentile. We see how God can use persecution to spread the gospel even further. Saul shows us that no one is beyond God’s grace.