Scattered throughout Judea and Samaria

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and

to the ends of the earth.

(Acts 1:8)

Theme of Acts

Outline of ActsOutline of Acts

1:8

• Persecution located in Jerusalem

• Disciples scattered through Judea and Samaria

• Apostles stayed in Jerusalem

• Saul “began to destroy” the church

Those who had been scattered preached the word

wherever they went.

Acts 8:4

Point to

Ponder

Would you ever pray for a persecution?

SamariaSamaria• Between Judea and

Galilee• Leftovers from

Assyrian invasion (722 B.C.) who mixed with other races

• Mount Gerazim was their Jerusalem.

Samaria Receives Samaria Receives the Gospel!the Gospel!

• Philip proclaimed Christ there. (5)

• Philip worked miracles and cast out demons.

• Great joy in the city. (8)

• They were baptized. (12)

The Holy Spirit Comes to SamariaThe Holy Spirit Comes to Samaria

• Apostles sent Peter and John.

• Holy Spirit had not come on them.

• Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

• This is not the typical order of receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts.

The Holy Spirit Comes to SamariaThe Holy Spirit Comes to Samaria

• Apostles sent Peter and John.

• Holy Spirit had not come on them.

• Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

• This is not the typical order of receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts.

The Holy Spirit Comes to SamariaThe Holy Spirit Comes to Samaria

• It appears that this “out-of-the- ordinary” reception of the Holy Spirit was for the purpose of emphasizing that God truly accepted the Samaritans as Christians.

Simon the SorcererSimon the Sorcerer

• Worked magic

• Known as “The Great Power”

• Tried to buy the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit.

• Rebuked by Peter

1:8

Peter and John returned to Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching Jerusalem, preaching

the gospel in many the gospel in many Samaritan villages.Samaritan villages.

((8:25)8:25)

The Gospel SpreadsThe Gospel Spreads

The Ethiopian EunuchThe Ethiopian Eunuch• Desert road to Gaza• Ethiopia – Nubia

in Southern Egypt• Secretary of

Treasury for Nubian Queen

• Probably a Jew or Proselyte

• Reading Isaiah 53

He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is

silent, so he did not open his mouth….

Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53

Baptism of the EthiopianBaptism of the Ethiopian

• Told him the good news about Jesus. • Ethiopian asked to be baptized. • Vs. 37 is not in oldest manuscripts or

newer translations.• Went on his way rejoicing. (39)• Philip went to Azotus (Ashdod) on

his way to Caesarea.

…the spirit of the Lord took Philip away…and the eunuch…went on his

way rejoicing. (39)

Phi

lip,

how

ever

, app

eare

d at

Azo

tus

(Ash

dod)

…

…and traveled about,

preaching the gospel in all the tow

ns until he reached C

aesarea.