https://esv.literalword.com/?q=acts+8
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Tuesday, 23 April 2024:
Acts 8:1 – And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Before the gift of the Holy Spirit, the apostles abandoned Jesus when pressured; now the apostles refused to run for self-preservation.
Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.
The devout responded to persecution completely differently than everyone else.
Acts 8:3, 4 – “Saul was ravaging the church…. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”
Saul was intent on crushing Christianity – God had a different plan. God used Saul’s persecution to scatter the church and shake out the “salt” so the Gospel would spread more broadly across many peoples. Also, God had a plan to transform Saul into Paul, “a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God… by the will of God.” (Romans 1:1; Ephesians 1:1)
Note how the apostles responded to persecution: they avoided it as much as possible while continuing to proclaim Christ where they could — “And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said…. as they were going along the road…. as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.” (Acts 8:6, 40)
Some take-aways:
1) Nothing or no one can stop God’s plan.
2) God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. God has placed you where you are and in your circumstances for a reason – proclaim Christ where you are as the Holy Spirit leads!
3) There are times to stay and times to go, times to fight and times to withdraw; either way, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and proclaim Christ!
4) You never know what God has in store for the “Sauls” in your life – He may be preparing to make them “Pauls.” Don’t worry about them. Be a witness and ambassador to all. The Holy Spirit will move where the Holy Spirit moves. You communicate, and the Holy Spirit convicts. Be faithful with what God has called you to do, and trust Him with the outcome.
Acts 8:5 — Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
According to the Bible, both Philip and Simon the magician “believed” in Jesus; however, Simon the magician’s belief had no power while through Philip, the Holy Spirit moved mightily. Clearly their beliefs were not the same. As James points out, “Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19). Simon the magician had the appearance of a true believer. He publicly proclaimed his faith in Jesus, he was baptized, and he was already on a mission trip with the “greats” of the faith. However, Peter points out that, though Simon “believed” that Jesus was the Son of God, Simon had not yet repented and was trapped in “bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
Ultimately, Simon the magician was focused on and living for self while Philip was focused on and living for Christ. Simon the magician was not really seeking a Lord and Savior, but rather a genie in a bottle. Simon was led by his earthly desires and by his own understanding, while Philip was led by the Spirit which is not discernable through human knowledge.
The Holy Spirit uses the surrendered, obedient life. Notice that Philip, having just rocked the city of Samaria with powerful preaching and amazing miracles, refused to be distracted and remained completely responsive and obedient to the Holy Spirit. Rather than staying to cultivate this fruitful ministry in Samaria as would reasonably be expected, he did not hesitate to “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza,” a desert place. Certainly, no person would have advised Philip to leave success in the city for a desert journey with no defined purpose. However, Philip was not pursuing success from man’s perspective but rather obedience and fellowship with God. As Peter tells Simon, the fruitfulness of your faith depends in a large part upon “the intent of your heart.”
Consider your heart. Why do you do what you do? What is the ultimate motivation behind your actions? Are you truly Christ-centered? Are you living obediently to the word God has plainly given? Are you receptive and obedient to convictions from the Holy Spirit? What has the Holy Spirit put on your heart to which you have yet to respond? Do not hesitate to “rise” and take the road the goes to the desert.
Acts 8:8 – So there was much joy in that city.
Joy came from experiencing what only the Holy Spirit could do.
Acts 8:9 – But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.
False teachers take the credit instead of directing it towards Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:11 – …for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
False teachers can amaze.
Acts 8:12 – But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Philip preached Jesus Christ, never seeking to share glory with Jesus.
Acts 8:22 – Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
The Holy Spirit must change your heart. Even spreading the Gospel can be done with the wrong heart.
Acts 8:26, 27 – And he rose and went.
Walking by the Spirit involves being obedient without understanding why. God will tell you to “go” without revealing His purpose or exact plan. God will arrange circumstances for His purposes; you need only obey with your eyes open for His activities in which He wants you to participate.
Acts 8:29 – And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”
Missionary work involves God finding those whose hearts are right with Him and placing them where they can make a difference for His kingdom. Some of the great missionaries in history did not live long lives, but their lives dramatically affected eternity.
God had access to Philip, and the Book of Acts gives the exciting account of how God used Philip’s life to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Philip was preaching powerfully in the city of Samaria (Acts 8:5). So mightily did God use him that the entire city was rejoicing at the miracles God was doing (Acts 8:6-8). This would be any evangelist’s fondest desire, to see an entire city responding to the gospel through his preaching. Yet Philip was not activity-centered in his Christian life. He was God-centered. Philip was not preoccupied with expanding his reputation as a great preacher or miracle worker, he was concerned that his life remain in the center of God’s activity. When he was instructed to leave his fruitful ministry, he did not hesitate (Acts 8:27).
God continues to seek those as responsive as Philip to go on mission with Him. The reason God has not brought great revival to more places is not that He is unable or that He is unwilling. He first looks for those willing to have their lives radically adjusted away from their self-centered activities and placed into the center of God’s activity around the world. Have you seen the activity of God around you? What is God presently inviting you to do? How are you responding?
Acts 8:30-31 – So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Only the Father can lead someone to the Son. We are merely His instruments to proclaim the truth when provided the opportunity.
Acts 8:35 – Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
God calls us to use the Scripture to tell people about Jesus, not just our own words and opinions. We need not add to God’s word to proclaim the Gospel, but we can also share our personal testimonies as first-hand witnesses of the Truth. Are you prepared to explain the path of salvation through the Bible and to share your personal testimony?
Acts 8:38 – And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
Philip baptized the eunuch as soon as the eunuch believed, nothing else was required.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 23 April 2024: Today, memorize the “Roman Road”, and be prepared to use Scripture to proclaim the Gospel to all.
The “Romans” Road to the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
– The Problem of Sin: Romans 3:23 — “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
– The Wages of Sin: Romans 6:23a — “For the wages of sin is death…”
– The Love of God: Romans 5:8 — “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
– The Free Gift of Salvation: Romans 6:23b — “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
– Accepting the Free Gift: Romans 10:9 & 13 — “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…. For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 