Golden text.— “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word.” —Acts 8:4
“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them.”—Acts 8:5
Read Acts 8:1-17.
Reading on the Lesson, the Disciples Scattered.
3 “As for Saul he made havoc of the church.” The Revised Version says that he laid waste the church, but our Lord had said, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). So that this imprisonment of Christians and power of Saul and the authorities over them did not really hurt the church any more than the fiery furnace or the lions hurt Daniel and his friends.
4 “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word.” So the disciples could say to Saul and his company as Joseph said to his brethren, “Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good to save much people alive” (Gen. 50:20). These scattered preachers of good tidings were not the apostles, but all except the apostles (verse 1), and they were just the Lord’s messengers with the Lord’s message (Hag. 1:13). If all believers now were ready to tell to others the love and grace of God, telling His salvation from day to day (Ps. 71:15, 24), how soon the gospel might be preached to every creature!
5-8. “Then Phillip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them.” In verses 4, 12, 25, we get a good idea of the preaching of those days. They preached Christ: they preached the word of the Lord and the things concerning the kingdom of God. Whether the messenger be the woman of Samaria or Philip the evangelist, if Christ is preached the Spirit works, and whenever Christ is truly received there follows joy and peace (Ps. 15:13).
9, 10. The adversary who opposes God and exalts himself is always to the front ever since he slandered God to Eve in Eden.
11, 12. Bewitching people with sorcery might possibly describe many of the teachings of today which captivate such multitudes. A great following is not sufficient proof that the leader is right, nor are few followers necessarily an evidence that the leader is wrong.
13. “Simon himself believed also, was baptized, continued with Philip and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs.” The power of God is able to break the hardest heart, and the fact that Simon was baptized and continued with Philip after he believed, would seem to indicate a real conversion.
14. “Now, when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.” These two who are so prominent in the early chapters are still evidently the foremost among the apostles and specially honored by the others. Notice what it was the people of Samaria had received. They had received the word of God, and, like the Thessalonians, they doubtless received it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh in those who believe (1 Thess. 2:13).
15, 16. “Who, when they were come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost.” They were somewhat like the apostles and other believers before Pentecost. They had believed, were baptized and had become children of God and temples of the Holy Ghost. All who truly receive Christ are saved and have become children of God (John 1:12) and temples of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in every believer.
17. “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” Having prayed (verse 15). they now with expectation lay hands on them, and the special gift of the Spirit is received. So also Paul at Ephesus (chap. 19:5, 6). Our Lord’s words, “Ask, and it shall be given you,” are in connection with these others, “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit of them that ask Him?” (Luke11:9, 13).