Tyndale Open Study NotesActs 8

Saul was there: Compare 9:1–2; 22:4; 26:9–11; Galatians 1:13–14. This major attack against the church caused all believers except the apostles to flee. Instead of losing enthusiasm, they preached the good news about Jesus wherever they went.

Came out … healed: Miracles often happen when the gospel is preached in the book of Acts (see study note on 3:1–11).

Simon the sorcerer performed magic and amazed the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great. Simon tried to buy spiritual power. The later corrupt practice of buying and selling positions of leadership in the church was called simony. This term refers to the corrupt practice of buying and selling church leadership positions (see 1 Timothy 6:9–10). Peter strongly criticized Simon's evil intentions and actions.

When the apostles sent two of their own representatives to Samaria, it was an important step in overcoming prejudice (compare Matthew 10:5; Luke 9:52–54; John 4:9; 8:48). It was even more remarkable that Peter and John prayed for the Samaritans who trusted in Christ to receive the Holy Spirit. This event is similar to the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem and marks how the Holy Spirit's power spread from Judea to Samaria (Acts 2:1–47; 1:8).

Simon recognized that he needed Peter to pray for him. However, the text does not clearly say that Simon repented or turned away from his evil actions. His request seems focused on avoiding the severe punishment Peter warned about, rather than on a true change in how he thought and acted.

Philip obeyed the Holy Spirit and followed the Spirit’s direction. He then took the opportunity to share the message of the gospel with an Ethiopian eunuch (a trusted male official who served a king or queen) on the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza. This event shows how effective Philip was in explaining and sharing the Christian message. It also shows his strong commitment to bringing the good news to all people, no matter their social position or ethnic background.

• In the ancient world, a eunuch was a royal official. Some eunuchs had been physically altered and could not have children, while others held the title because of their role in the royal court (see 2 Kings 9:30–32; Esther 1:10; 2:3, 14–15, 21; 4:4–5).

  Many Jews looked down on eunuchs. Eunuchs could not have children, so they could not pass on the covenant family line (God’s people through descendants). The law of Moses also excluded men with damaged genitals from the assembly of Israel, which was the gathered worshiping community (Deuteronomy 23:1; compare Leviticus 21:17–23).

  However, the prophet Isaiah spoke of a future time when God would welcome non-Jewish people and eunuchs who were faithful to him (Isaiah 56:3–8; see also Matthew 19:12). In the new covenant, all people who have genuine faith belong to the people of God.

• The eunuch traveled from Africa to Jerusalem to worship in the temple, probably for a major Jewish feast.

The Holy Spirit guides the servants of God in where, when, and what to preach, teach, or do (Acts 9:15; 10:19–20; 11:12; 16:6; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:12).

The Scripture passage was Isaiah 53:7–8. It is one of the Servant Songs of Isaiah, a passage that speaks of the suffering servant of the Lord.

• After the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, he traveled north along the coast from Azotus. Azotus is another name for Ashdod (see 1 Samuel 5:1–7; Nehemiah 13:23–24; Isaiah 20:1). He preached in every town until he reached Caesarea, where he later settled (see Acts 21:8).

• Caesarea: Caesarea Maritima was a major port on the Mediterranean Sea. It was the center of Roman government in Judea. Herod the Great built it around 22 to 9 BC and named it to honor Caesar Augustus, the Roman emperor.