Acts 8:1-25
Summary for Acts 8:1-4: 8:1-4 a Saul: Cp. 9:1-2 b; 22:4 c; 26:9-11 d; Gal 1:13-14 e. The result of this great wave of persecution was that all the believers ... were scattered. Rather than having their enthusiasm dampened, however, they simply spread the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.8:7 f cast out ... healed: Miracles often accompany evangelism in Acts (see study note on 3:1-11).
Summary for Acts 8:9-24: 8:9-24 g Simon the sorcerer was a showman, dazzling the people of Samaria and making self-exalting claims. Simon’s attempt to obtain spiritual power through payment gave the name simony to the later corrupt practice of buying and selling ordination to church leadership (cp. 1 Tim 6:9-10 h). Peter strongly rebuked Simon’s wickedness.
Summary for Acts 8:14-17: 8:14-17 i When the apostles sent two of their own to Samaria, it was an amazing step in overcoming prejudice (cp. Matt 10:5 j; Luke 9:52-54 k; John 4:9 l; 8:48 m). Then, it was even more amazing that Peter and John prayed that the new Samaritan believers would receive the Holy Spirit. This event parallels the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-47 n) and marks the spread of the Holy Spirit’s power from Judea to Samaria (1:8 o).
8:24 p Simon recognized the need for Peter to intercede in prayer for him, but it is not clear that he repented and turned from his wickedness. His main concern was apparently to avoid the terrible consequences that Peter predicted when his wicked motives were exposed.
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