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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

CHAPTER EIGHT:
PERSECUTION AND PREACHING

[“Persecution Widens the Territory”]
Key word: Philip

Acts 8:1-3 – Persecution Scatters the Disciples

AC8:1 Now Saul gave his approval of Stephan’s murder. 319 That day a great persecution broke out against the Church in Jerusalem, and everyone except the apostles were scattered 320 throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, 321

319

Now Saul gave his approval of Stephan’s murder: Luke has introduced Saul in such a subtle manner, while most readers, not having read Acts, do not realize this one man will dominate most of the record. The Hebrew name Saul means “Asked of God” as though his Hebrew parents prayed for such a boy. He was of the tribe of Benjamin and possibly lived in Jerusalem with his sister and a nephew. More details of his background will develop through out Acts.

320

Everyone except the apostles were scattered: We are not told how the apostles were able to do this. Perhaps the dispersion of so many Christians was enough to satisfy the Jewish hierarchy, and the apostles then kept a low profile underground. Now these thousands of new disciples carried the seeds of the Gospel throughout Judea and the Roman world. The response to the persecution is exactly what Jesus told his disciples. [Matthew 10:23]

321

Judea and Samaria: The work of the Gospel remains largely centered among the Jews and those related to them. The period of Jewish grace as the only ones invited continues until the year 36 AD. For details on Samaria see notes on John 4:9. According to Acts 11:19 the disciples also reached Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.

AC8:2 while reverent men buried Stephen and made a loud lamentation over him. AC8:3 But Saul was acting outrageously toward the Church, 322 entering homes and dragging out both men and women and then turning them over to prison.

322	Saul was acting outrageously toward the Church: Or, havoc, laid waste, ravaging, devastate. Compare Acts 9:1; 22:4; 26:10; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Philippians 3:6.

Acts 8:4-8 – Philip in Samaria

AC8:4 However, of course, those [disciples] that had been scattered went everywhere proclaiming the Good News of the Word. 323

323	Went everywhere proclaiming the Good News of the Word: Persecution only serves to spread the Gospel further.

AC8:5 But Philip 324 traveled into the city of Samaria 325 and continued preaching to them the Christ.

324	Philip: See notes at Acts 6:5.

325	Samaria: This lays the way for Peter’s second use of his three kingdom keys. See notes on Matthew 16:19.

AC8:6 Now, the crowds were paying attention to the things said by Philip and they were of one mind when listening to him as they saw the signs he was performing. AC8:7 For there were those possessed of unclean demons 326 and they would shriek in a loud voice when coming out. Others were paralyzed and lame, and they were all cured.

326	Possessed of unclean demons: Evidently demon-possession was a notable problem in Samaria. Note John 8:48. To this day some cultures tend to have more demon possession than others.

AC8:8 As a result, great joy occurred in that city.

Acts 8:9-13 – The Conversion of Simon

AC8:9 Now in the city there was a certain man named Simon 327 who was previously a magician that astonished the people of Samaria. He was said to be someone great.

327	Simon: As matters develop this is the person from whom the word “simony” comes.

AC8:10 The people, small and great, had paid him great attention, saying: “This is called God’s magnificent Power!” AC8:11 So this is the reason they paid attention to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic. AC8:12 However, when they believed what Philip was preaching about God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women 328 were baptized.

328	Men and women: The second time women have been mentioned in this context.

AC8:13 Now Simon himself also believed and after his baptism he continued to follow Philip. He was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles done [by Philip].

Acts 8:14-17 – Peter and John Sent to Samaria

AC8:14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem 329 heard that Samaria had accepted God’s Word, they sent to them Peter and John. 330

329	When the apostles in Jerusalem: The apostolic body remained in Jerusalem as the center of Christianity until the final key of the kingdom was used by Peter. After the non-Jews are invited into the Church it seems the apostles then departed to other territories.

330	Peter and John: Peter has the “keys of the kingdom” and is involved in the three major Gospel territories: the Jews of the two-tribe kingdom, the Samaritans of the ten-tribe northern kingdom of Israel, and the world of the non-Jews.

AC8:15 [These two] arrived and prayed for them so that they might receive holy Pneuma. 331

331	Receive holy Pneuma: Particularly the charismatic gifts that assisted the Church in its infancy.

AC8:16 For the [Pneuma] had not yet fallen on them and they had only been baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. AC8:17 So then, the apostles laid their hands on them 332 and they received holy Pneuma.

332	The apostles laid their hands on them: Compare notes on Hebrews 6:1 and elsewhere. Only the apostles were authorized to dispense the gifts of the Spirit and after their deaths such manifestations began to disappear.

Acts 8:18-24 – The First Case of Simony

AC8:18 Now when Simon realized that it was through the hands of the apostles the Pneuma was given, 333 he brought money to them,

333	It was through the hands of the apostles the Pneuma was given: Only the apostles – and those they appointed – could so dispense the Pneuma.

AC8:19 saying: “Give me 334 also this authority so that upon whomever I lay my hands they may receive holy Pneuma.”

334

Give me: “Simony” is the purchasing of religious or spiritual power by money. Beginning here for the first time, it has continued throughout the history of the Church to the present time. Many people who show charity or give material gifts often think they are buying something with their generosity. Often it takes very subtle forms. The true Man of God, or “genuine disciple,” cannot be bought with money. Simony is often manifest when charity stops after the person realizes they are not receiving the thing – political and social power, church offices, and other privileges, or even friendship – they think they purchased.

AC8:20 But, Peter said to him: “Your silver perish with you because you thought by money to acquire the free gift of The God! AC8:21 You will have no part or share in this matter because your heart is not upright before The God. 335 [Psalm 78:37]

335	Your heart is not upright before The God: Peter alludes to Psalm 78:37.

AC8:22 And so, repent of your wickedness and pray to the Supreme Being if perhaps you might be forgiven the inclinations of your heart. 336

336	Might be forgiven the inclinations of your heart: Or, thought, heart, mind. No Christian is “once saved always saved.” Simon must repent and stop his evil inclinations. Only by this can forgiveness be gained. Many new Christians have not yet left former attitudes of mind and sinful inclinations.

AC8:23 For I see within you a bitter bile 337 and an attachment with unrighteousness.”

337	Bitter bile: Or, KJV: gall of bitterness; TCN: bitterness of envy; MOF: bitter poison; PME: bitter with jealousy; NOR: poisoned with envy. Peter could echo Deuteronomy 29:18.

AC8:24 Then Simon responded and said: “You both pray for me 338 to the Supreme Being 339 that nothing of what you have said will come upon me!”

338	You both pray for me: The Greek is plural meaning Peter and John. Compare notes on Matthew 18:18, 19.

339	The Supreme Being: Or, YHWH.

Acts 8:25-33 – Philip and the Ethiopian Jew

AC8:25 After witnessing and speaking the Word of the Master, the apostles returned to Jerusalem, 340 and along the way they declared the Good News to many villages.

340	The apostles returned to Jerusalem: Peter and John did not just travel back to Jerusalem, but spent time in each village n the return to testify about the Gospel. Perhaps some of these towns were the same the Nazarene had also visited.

AC8:26 Now YHWH’s angel 341 spoke to Philip, 342 saying: “Rise and go to the south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 343 (This is in the desert.)

341	YHWH’s angel: Or, angel of the Master. It is a Hebraism and based on many such occurrences in the Hebrew Bible. The Greek construct suggests this possibility here.

342	Spoke to Philip: God’s Pneuma is channeled through His Son who may use several modes to speak to his servants: an angel, a dream or vision, an audible voice, or a church prophet. Notes Acts 13:1, 2.

343	Gaza: One of the most ancient small towns of history as it still exists in Israel to this day as something of the capitol of Palestine. [Genesis 10:19] It lies slightly inland from the coast among sand dunes, though there are well-watered marshes here and there.

AC8:27 After rising he left, and behold, an Ethiopian man 344 – a eunuch 345 as a court official over all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians 346 – who had gone to Jerusalem to worship in Jerusalem.

344

Ethiopian man: Ethiopia is identified as “Cush” in the Bible, south of Egypt in Northern African. [Genesis 10:6-8; 1Chronicles 1:8-10; Ezekiel 30:5] There has been a large Jewish population in Ethiopia to modern times. It is likely this Ethiopian was a Jewish, circumcised convert. [Jeremiah 13:23; Zephaniah 3:10] Moses was married to a Cushite woman. [Numbers 12:1]

345	Eunuch: A castrated male was not permitted in the congregation of Israel. [Deuteronomy 23:1] The word was sometimes uses as an official position.

346

Candace, queen of the Ethiopians: Pliny the Elder, who wrote about 23-79 AD said: “… the town [Meroë, capital of ancient Ethiopia] possesses few buildings. They said that it is ruled by a woman, Candace, a name that has passed on through a succession of queens for many years.” [Natural History, VI, XXXV, 186.]

AC8:28 Now he was returning [home] and while sitting in his chariot 347 he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 348

347	Sitting in his chariot: Or, carriage. There is a driver alluded to later.

348	He was reading the prophet Isaiah: The book of Isaiah required two scrolls over thirty feet in length. Only the educated or rich could avoid such a copy. Whether it was just a portion of Isaiah or a whole scroll is not stated. This was a serious Jewish proselyte.

AC8:29 Now the Pneuma said to Philip, “Approach and join this chariot.” AC8:30 And, Philip ran to the chariot and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked [the Ethiopian]: “Do you understand what you are reading?” AC8:31 And [the Ethiopian] said: “How could I unless someone guided me?” 349 And then he invited Philip to come up and sit down with him. 350

349	How could I unless someone guided me: Or, explain, teaches me. Without the Pneuma just reading the Bible alone is not sufficient. Most need a teacher. Compare Galatians 6:6.

350	Sit down with him: The chariot continues on its course along the coast.

AC8:32 Now the Scriptural passage he was reading was: 351 “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and like a lamb against the shearer he was silent, so he did not open his mouth.

351	Scriptural passage he was reading was: Isaiah 53:7, 8 from the 3rd Century BC Jewish Greek Septuagint. Isaiah chapter 53 became a key witnessing tool in the early Church.

AC8:33 During his humiliation justice was removed from him. Who will tell the story of his life? Because his life is raised up from the earth.” [Isaiah 53:7, 8 LXX]

Acts 8:34-40 – Philip and the Ethiopian

AC8:34 The eunuch questioned Philip: “I ask you, about whom does the prophet say this? 352 About himself or about some other person?”

352	About whom does the prophet say this: To this day this is a question Jews must answer.

AC8:35 Now Philip began to speak and beginning with this Scripture, he declared to him Jesus. AC8:36 Then as they were traveling along the road, they came upon some water, and so the eunuch said: “Look, water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 353 [[

353

What prevents me from being baptized: Some may think this a bit too quick, but the man is an educated Jewish proselyte familiar with the Bible. All what was necessary was his acceptance of Jesus the Nazarene as the Messiah. It is likely Philip has already discussed baptism and what is required of a Christian.

AC8:37 And Philip said: “You can [be baptized] if you believe with all your heart.” 354 And the eunuch answered: “I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of The God!”]]

354	If you believe with all your heart: Verse 37 does not occur in some Greek manuscripts. It is generally agreed it is not supported.

AC8:38 So the eunuch ordered the chariot to be stopped, 355 and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, 356 and Philip baptized him.

355	Ordered the chariot to be stopped: Thus, at least one other person who Philip’s testimony.

356	Down into the water: Whether this was the sea or and inland marsh is not state. It was sufficient water to be submerged or immersed completely.

AC8:39 Now when they came up out of the water YHWH’s Pneuma 357 quickly snatched Philip away. 358 And the eunuch could not see him any more, but he went his way rejoicing.

357	YHWH’s Pneuma: See notes above.

358	Quickly snatched Philip away: Or, caught away, took away, transported, led away. The word HERPASEN is related to that at 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Perhaps similar to Elijah’s rapture in the windstorm. [1 Kings 18:12] Or, Ezekiel 8:3.

AC8:40 Then Philip was discovered in Azotus, 359 and as he passed through he proclaimed the Good News to all the towns 360 until he arrived in Caesarea. 361

359	Azotus: Or, Ashdod. About forty miles north on the coast. An ancient city of the Philistines.

360	All the towns: These would have been considerable and we are not told how long this took.

361	Caesarea: Another 70 miles north on the coast.

Review Questions on Chapter Eight