Study Acts 8

• Acts 8:1-4 describes the outbreak of a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, leading to believers scattering throughout Judea and Samaria.

  • How does this severe Christianity Accepted and Opposed, paradoxically, become a powerful catalyst for The Great Commission?

  • This scattering directly fulfills Jesus' mandate to be witnesses beyond Jerusalem.

• Philip's ministry in Samaria (Acts 8:5-13) marks a significant step in the Gospel's expansion beyond traditional Jewish boundaries.

  • What evidence does this passage provide that Philip's Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel was authentic and empowered by The Holy Spirit's Role?

  • How does the widespread acceptance of the Gospel in Samaria challenge previous ethnic and religious barriers between Jews and Samaritans?

• The narrative of Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9-25) presents a stark contrast to genuine belief.

  • What does Simon's attempt to buy The Holy Spirit's Role reveal about his understanding of divine power, and why is Peter's rebuke so severe?

  • How does this incident highlight the importance of spiritual integrity within the church for the purity of The Great Commission?

• The Holy Spirit directly guides Philip to encounter the Ethiopian eunuch on a desert road (Acts 8:26-40).

  • How does this divinely orchestrated, personalized evangelism exemplify The Great Commission's reach to individuals from diverse backgrounds and distant lands?

  • What is the significance of the Ethiopian eunuch's background (Gentile, high official, eunuch) in demonstrating the universal inclusivity of the Gospel?

• Philip's explanation of Isaiah 53 to the Ethiopian eunuch is a powerful example of Teaching About Jesus and the Gospel and Prophecy Fulfillment.

  • How does understanding Old Testament prophecy enhance the clarity and impact of the Gospel message?

  • Reflect on how The Holy Spirit's Role is consistently demonstrated in guiding Philip's actions and words throughout this chapter.