The Gospel on the Move (text)

Last week, Allen took us through chapter 7 and we looked at Stephens’s scathing speech to the religious leaders and then we ended with Stephen’s death. What we’re going to see today, in chapter 8, is that God used Stephen’s speech and death to advance the gospel outside of Jerusalem. Luke takes us directly from the account of Stephen to the spread of the word. Look at verse 1-4: 

“1 And Saul approved of his execution. 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. [2] Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. [3] But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. [4] Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.”

Luke doesn’t waste any ink describing these events: there was a great persecution, Saul was ravaging the church and they were scattered. And then with one short matter-of-fact sentence (vs. 4) he gives us the grand strategy of God (we can’t separate this from 1:8-He said it, now He’s doing it). On the heels of Stephen’s death God is advancing the gospel beyond the confines and traditions of the Jews. 

This was perhaps the most critical advancement of the gospel because of the people and region it was now going to. Chapter 8 is a bridge between the Jews and the gentiles. But the first stage of missionary outreach wasn’t a result of the strategic planning of the apostles nor was it a result of their work. They were forced out-but God in His sovereignty accomplished more through Stephen’s death and the persecution of the church through the members of the church than the greatest minds could have ever hoped for. So with this as our backdrop, we’re going to spend the remainder of our time looking at the 2 different snapshots that Luke gives us to demonstrate this unprecedented advance of the gospel. 

Philip in Samaria

In verse 5 we’re introduced to Philip. This is Philip the deacon from chapter 6. In verses 5-25 we see the account of Philip in the region of Samaria. Look at verse 5-8: 

“Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. [6] And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. [7] For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. [8] So there was much joy in that city. 

Now, in order to properly understand the significance of this move, we have to know the history of the Samara. In the ancient world, if you wanted to demoralize a nation and undermine their ability to revolt you did 2 things: you removed them from their land and you weaken their blood line. And that’s what happened in 722bc when the northern kingdom fell to the Assyrians; these Jews were exiled and the Assyrians inter-married with them-Jew and barbaric gentile. 

The result was a hatred and rivalry for hundreds of years. And so, the Jews hated the Samaritans as ½ breed heretics. This was a critical missional move for the gospel but for the Jews it would have been offensive and even scandalous. 

Luke gives us some of the details; it seems that this was a very public proclamation of the gospel: crowds gathered, the lame were healed, demons were cast out-not quietly but with loud cries, there were many signs and wonders and the people were all amazed. This wasn’t happening quietly, in living rooms; this was a loud spectacle, and purposely so. 

And then Luke brings us in even closer and we’re introduced to Simon the sorcerer. We’re not going to spend a lot of time with Simon but I think it’s helpful to note this about his presence in this account: before Philip arrived the Samaritans considered Simon “the power of God that is called Great” but when Philip arrives with the word and the power of the Holy Spirit, they quickly shift their loyalty from Simon to Philips God and they believed and were baptized. So we see that the power of God is present in the miracles and in the word going forth and having its affect in the hearts of the Samaritans. *There is no other power greater than the power of God and no other power can resist or withstand the power of the word. 

Pastoral moment: when we read this narrative it can be easy to minimize the effect that Simon had on the Samaritans because we can clearly see the comparison: Simon –vs- God, no contest. But don’t we all have insignificant powers that we call great in our lives? It could be a lost loved one that you prayed for, a sin that you’ve struggled with for years, a relational rift, marital issues, fear of the future, etc. These can all become to us what Simon was to the Samaritans-greater than God. I want to encourage you: you have the word, the gospel, which is the power of God-there is no power greater. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. 

The power of God was not lacking with Philip. But there was a problem. Look at verses 14-17: 

“Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, [15] who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, [16] for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [17] Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” 

Why did this happen? In chapter 2 Peter taught that if you repented and were baptized you would receive the Holy Spirit and there’s no indication that an apostle has to be present. They believed and were baptized. Why didn’t they receive the spirit? Let me ask a question? After someone has believed and been baptized, what’s the next step? They are to be added to the church. Why would this be a problem for the Samaritans? The big question wasn’t “Are the Samaritans going to welcome the gospel?” it’s “is the church going to welcome the Samaritans?” 

To date, the church is entirely Jewish. God is making sure that the church and the world knows that this is an authentic move of God and that the Samaritans are equals, brothers and sisters in Christ. There is a precedence being set because the church and the gospel are at stake. And so the apostles validate and affirm the Samaritans publically by the laying on of hands and praying for them to receive the Holy Spirit-which they did. This was a historical event that God used to both advance the gospel outside of the Jewish world and to preserve and define the church. Neither the Jews nor the Samaritans were to find their identity in a region or tradition any longer. Instead they both belonged to Christ. 

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

And then as quickly as Luke brings us into this story he moves us to the next one. Let’s look at the 2nd snapshot of the advance of the gospel. Philip, commanded by an angel, heads south toward Gaza and happens upon an Ethiopian eunuch. He was a court official and he was on his way home after visiting Jerusalem to worship. This man could be of Jewish descent or a gentile-Jewish convert.

Either way, his status as a eunuch would have made him unclean before the Jews. During his visit to the temple he would have been restricted to the outer courts. He’s also from the edge of the world-Africa. In terms of civilization in the 1st century, you can’t get much farther from Jerusalem. 

Let’s read verse 29-35: 

“And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” [30] So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” [31] And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. [32] Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: 

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter

and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,

so he opens not his mouth.

[33] In his humiliation justice was denied him.

Who can describe his generation?

For his life is taken away from the earth.” 

[34] And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.” 

I want to draw your attention to the absolute sovereignty of God and Philips response to it. From beginning to end Philip is led by the spirit. He’s in the right place at the right time and he’s responsive to the commands and opportunities-2 examples: in verses 29-30 the Spirit said go, Philip ran and in verse 34 the eunuch asked “who is this talking about?” and Philip opened his mouth. And the Ethiopian has been prepped by God. This is what you call an open door. 

He wants to know: Who is this talking about? Who was led like a sheep to the slaughter? Who is it that was denied justice and received the punishment of another? Who died! And Philip is able to tell him that it is someone else, not the prophet. It is Jesus. The Son of God, the Savior of the world. The one who was rejected by men and murdered by the very ones he came to save; the one who was cast out and despised. And he suffered the wrath of God so that we-the unlovely, unworthy, the outcast, could be saved and brought near and given a name that is better than son and daughter. Philip preaches the gospel and the Ethiopian believes. 

We don’t see the kind of signs and wonders that happened in Samaria with the Ethiopian but the supernatural is taking place-it’s just a little harder to see. Pastoral: Have you ever found yourself in a situation that you weren’t looking for and wondered what’s going on…why am I here? You may not have seen an angel but God’s sovereignty and supernatural power are still at work. And His purpose is the same-the spread of the gospel. 

Illustration: The Ethiopian was prepared by God to hear and receive the gospel, but notice how Philip was listening to the leading of the Spirit. An angel told Philip to go to a specific road and then the Spirit tells Philip to talk to the Ethiopian. The question for us is, are we listening to the voice of the Spirit? How many people around us are ready for the gospel, or at least have been prepared by God for spiritual seeds to be sown in their lives, but do we see those opportunities? Are we listening to the still small voice leading us to talk to this check out person or that neighbor? 

There is much encouragement for us here. God ordains our steps; He works in others before we reach them; He works to bring us together and He brings forth fruit. He works in every relationship you have. The encouragement is that He’s at work in His sovereignty. And just like Philip, our responsibility is faithfulness; to go, love, speak. 

In the continuity of this chapter we can see the theme that Luke is trying to drive home-the unstoppable gospel. The gospel is being propelled outward-ready or not it’s going. The word of God is on the move! The confines of the people of God are being expanded! Boundaries are being demolished! Outcasts are being included! 

This should build our faith, knowing that in a very short period of time God worked in such a way that the walls of hostility (Eph. 2) that existed between enemies (racial, religious, cultural, political, etc.) have been destroyed within the church. And this continues to this day. If we have been united by Christ-all barriers have been broken down. And we have the privilege of continuing the work that was begun in Acts. 

As we close I want to send you with this question: What are the barriers and boundaries in your life? Is it a specific person or a group? Are there any people that you think are beyond the reach of the gospel? Think that they’re too far gone, or too wicked, or too hardened. Or maybe you’re not a Christian and you think you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace given through Jesus Christ. Believe in Jesus and you will be saved. You will be saved – you are not beyond God’s reach. 

Or maybe the barrier you put on the gospel is your own fear and doubt? Maybe you think the gospel is powerful but fear blocks you from believing God can use you to advance the good news to those who need to hear it. Let your faith in God’s power and the leading of the Spirit grow and fill you with confidence in the Lord to use you. Whatever your barriers are they’re not stronger than the power of God and they’re not outside of His sovereign reign and plan. Ask the Lord to help you break them down so that the gospel might expand and increase in our lives and region -we are called to continue this mission of expanding the boundaries of the gospel.