HISTORY OF THE EARLY CHURCH FROM THE BOOK OF ACTS

Lesson 4 --- Philip Preaching in Samaria and on the Gaza Road

(Acts 8)
I. The BACKGROUND of these Events
1. Philip was one of the SEVEN selected by the church to help widows (Acts
6:1-7)
2. The apostles had laid their hands on him (Acts 6:6)
3. This had also been done to Stephen!
4. NOTE: Stephen had then performed miracles (Acts 6:8)
5. After the DEATH of Stephen, there was a great persecution against the
church in Jerusalem and they were scattered (Acts 8:1)
6. Saul of Tarsus began putting Christians in PRISON (Acts 8:3)
7. The Christians who were scattered went everywhere evangelizing
(Acts 8:4)
II. Philip Preached the Gospel in SAMARIA
1.
2.
3.
4.

(Acts 8:5-25)

The Samaritans were a mixed ethnic group, part Jew and part Gentile
NOTE: Philip preached Christ to them
(Acts 8:5)
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PREACH CHRIST? See Acts 8:12
NOTE THIS VERY CAREFULLY:
a. Philip performed miracles by Gods power
(Acts 8:6)
b. The crowds HEARD Philips message, and SAW the miracles
he performed
c. When they HEARD and SAW, they gave attention
d. NOTE that Philips message was proved or confirmed by the
miracles which were performed. Please see Mark 16:20 and
Hebrews 2:1-4

5. Philip had preached good news concerning the kingdom of God and the
name of Jesus Christ
(Acts 8:12)
a. Kingdom of God ---- The rule of the Lord!
b. Name of Jesus Christ --- Who He really is

(Colossians 1:13)
(Acts 2:36)

6. When the people of Samaria believed, they were baptized, BOTH men
and women (Acts 8:12)
7. Simon, the sorcerer, also believed and was baptized

(Acts 8:13)

8. Many miracles were performed through Gods power (Acts 8:13)

9. The APOSTLES at Jerusalem sent PETER and JOHN to Samaria
(Acts 8:14).
NOTE: APOSTLES were sent by APOSTLES.
10. The miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit had not yet been received (8:15,16)

NOTE: When we become Christians, we ALL receive the Holy Spirit

in our heart
(Acts 5:32, II Corinthians 1:22, etc.)
11. Simon SAW that this miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit was given by
the laying on of the apostles hands
(Acts 8:18)
12. Please NOTE:
a. Philip could perform miracles, BUT COULD NOT GIVE THIS
POWER TO OTHERS.
b. The APOSTLES must lay their hands on people to give this power
III. The Ethiopian Became a Christian on the GAZA ROAD

(Acts 8:26-40)

1. An ANGEL told Philip to leave Samaria and go to the GAZA ROAD (8:26)
2. The Ethiopian was the treasurer of the Queen of Ethiopia
(Acts 8:27)
3. He was reading the Old Testament --- the Servant who would SUFFER is
discussed in Isaiah 53. This is Jesus! HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND!
4. The SPIRIT told Philip to go to the chariot
(Acts 8:29)
5. Philip began with Isaiah 53 and told the Ethiopian the good news about
JESUS
(Acts 8:35)
6. THEY CAME TO SOME WATER!

(Acts 8:36)

7. The ETHIOPIAN WANTED TO BE BAPTIZED!

8. They BOTH WENT DOWN INTO THE WATER

(Acts 8:38)

9. The ETHIOPIAN WAS BAPTIZED

10. They CAME UP OUT OF THE WATER

(Acts 8:39)

11. The Ethiopian Eunuch went on his way rejoicing

WAS HE A CHRISTIAN?

(Acts 8:39)

YES!

12. THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS MANS OBEDIENCE:

a.
b.
c.
d.

The ANGEL --- But, the angel did NOT preach to the man
The SPIRIT --- But, the Spirit did NOT preach to the man
The PREACHER --- Philip DID PREACH to the man
The LORD --- The Lord FORGAVE the man
(See Acts 2:38)