PERSECUTION SCATTERS
BELIEVERS AND THE GOOD NEWS
OF JESUS SPREADS!
Acts 8: 1 - 25
THE STORY:
• Saul/Paul:
• We are introduced to Saul – as the one
who approved of Stephen’s stoning
(death)
• He began to persecute Christians –
dragging men and women to prison
• The believers scattered throughout
Judea and Samaria
• They taught about Jesus as they went
and everywhere they travelled
INTRODUCTION TO PHILIP AND HIS MINISTRY
• Philip and his family moves to the city of Samaria in the
country of Samaria
• He preached Jesus and people were healed, demons
exited people who were possessed, paralytics were healed
• People listened, saw the miracles, and paid close attention
to the words he taught
• Many believed, repented, and obeyed His word
• Great joy was in that city (Samaria)
MEET SIMON:
• Simon – a sorcerer (witchcraft magician) boast of his powers
and was called, “The Great Power of God” – had many
“followers”
• His ”followers” heard Philip’s preaching and many repented
and became believers and were water baptized
• Even Simon became a believer, was baptized, and
followed Philip everywhere
PETER & JOHN
• The Apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter & John to see
what was happening in Samaria
• They noted that the new believers were not yet filled
with the Holy Spirit and laid hands on them and
prayed – the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit
• Simon saw the ministry of Peter and John and offered to pay
them for that “power” – “saw” means an external action
implying he saw the others speaking in tongues like Acts 2
• Peter rebukes Simon: “your money will die with you”; “your
heart is not right with God”; “repent”; “I (Peter) see that you
are full of bitterness and are captive to sin”
• Simon cries out for prayer
• Peter and John return to Jerusalem
NOTE:
• Saul = good intentions – wrong choices and actions
• Philip = lived a pure & dedicated life of obedience – brought joy
to those around him
• Peter & John = used of the Lord to present the filling of the Holy
Spirit to believers. Used of the Lord to judge & rebuke sin and call
to repentance
• Simon = self absorbed, narcissist, was baptized but held on to lust
of power, did not humble himself to have the apostles lay hands
on him (lack of humility), still captive of sin and bitterness, when
confronted – cried out for prayer
• What about us?
• We, too, can have good intentions but make wrong
choices
• We, too, can be filled with the Holy Spirit, live obedient lives,
and be a fragrant of joy to those around us
• We, too, can be used to judge sin, rebuke sin and call
others to repentance
• We, too, struggle with sin and bitterness – call for prayer!
• Romans 8 - no more trapped by sin, we are conquerors in
Jesus Christ! In Jesus, sin has no more control over our lives!