Bishop YoussefBishop Youssef...The Sorcerer’s Sin (8:14-25) St. Peter strongly rebukes Simon For...

Bishop YoussefBishop Youssef

IntroductionIntroduction

In This Chapter We Will :In This Chapter We Will :

Study the spread of the gospel into Judea and Samaria, as Study the spread of the gospel into Judea and Samaria, as foretold by Jesus (foretold by Jesus (Acts Acts 1:8)1:8)

R i th i f th S it d th Ethi iR i th i f th S it d th Ethi i Review the conversions of the Samaritans and the Ethiopian Review the conversions of the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunucheunuch

Examine the apostolic ministry of imparting the Spirit throughExamine the apostolic ministry of imparting the Spirit through Examine the apostolic ministry of imparting the Spirit through Examine the apostolic ministry of imparting the Spirit through the laying on of handsthe laying on of hands

Saul Persecutes the Church (8:1-3)

Saul consents to Stephen's deathSaul consents to Stephen's death The word expresses hearty approvalThe word expresses hearty approval A great persecution arose against the church in JerusalemA great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem Ch i ti tt d th h t J d d S iCh i ti tt d th h t J d d S i Christians scattered throughout Judea and SamariaChristians scattered throughout Judea and Samaria Christ uses the rage of his enemies in the spreading forth and Christ uses the rage of his enemies in the spreading forth and

enlarging of his kingdomenlarging of his kingdomenlarging of his kingdomenlarging of his kingdom The apostles, in some way not explained, shielded from the The apostles, in some way not explained, shielded from the

destruction, remaineddestruction, remained

Saul Persecutes the Church (8:1-3)

Stephen buried and lamented by devout menStephen buried and lamented by devout men They made their protest against the deed by a public funeral They made their protest against the deed by a public funeral

with all the usual Jewish demonstrations of mourning.with all the usual Jewish demonstrations of mourning. S l k h f th h h i i i dS l k h f th h h i i i d Saul makes havoc of the church, imprisoning men and womenSaul makes havoc of the church, imprisoning men and women As we learn from Paul's statements elsewhere, the saints were As we learn from Paul's statements elsewhere, the saints were

not only committed to prison but scourged in the synagoguesnot only committed to prison but scourged in the synagoguesnot only committed to prison, but scourged in the synagogues not only committed to prison, but scourged in the synagogues and persecuted unto deathand persecuted unto death

Christ Is Preached in Samaria (8:4-8)

Those scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the wordThose scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word Thus the very means devised by Satan to destroy the Church Thus the very means devised by Satan to destroy the Church

became the very instruments of its diffusion and establishmentbecame the very instruments of its diffusion and establishment Th bl d f St h th d f th h hTh bl d f St h th d f th h h The blood of Stephen was the seed of the churchThe blood of Stephen was the seed of the church Philip at Samaria preaches Christ to themPhilip at Samaria preaches Christ to them Philip who was before a deacon in Jerusalem is made anPhilip who was before a deacon in Jerusalem is made an Philip, who was before a deacon in Jerusalem, is made an Philip, who was before a deacon in Jerusalem, is made an

evangelist by God in an extraordinary wayevangelist by God in an extraordinary way


He had fixed their attention, not only with the gravity and He had fixed their attention, not only with the gravity and importance of the matter of his preaching, but also by the importance of the matter of his preaching, but also by the miracles which he didmiracles which he did

It th i l th t t fi t fi d th i tt ti ObIt th i l th t t fi t fi d th i tt ti Ob It was the miracles that, at first, fixed their attention. ObserveIt was the miracles that, at first, fixed their attention. Observethat Philip, another of the seven, has the gift of miracles, the that Philip, another of the seven, has the gift of miracles, the second recorded instance in the church of the possession of thissecond recorded instance in the church of the possession of thissecond recorded instance in the church of the possession of this second recorded instance in the church of the possession of this power by one not an apostle (for the first, see 6:8)power by one not an apostle (for the first, see 6:8)

Acts Acts 8:9 describes the nature of his miracles, similar to those of 8:9 describes the nature of his miracles, similar to those of ChristChrist


Casting out unclean spiritsCasting out unclean spirits Healing the paralyzed and lameHealing the paralyzed and lame It is evident that these unclean spirits were not a species of It is evident that these unclean spirits were not a species of

di th h di ti i h d f th l ti ddi th h di ti i h d f th l ti ddiseases; as they are here distinguished from the paralytic and diseases; as they are here distinguished from the paralytic and the lamethe lame

Creating great joy in the cityCreating great joy in the city Creating great joy in the cityCreating great joy in the city No wonder, when they heard such glorious truths, and were theNo wonder, when they heard such glorious truths, and were the

subjects of such beneficent miraclessubjects of such beneficent miracles

The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith (8:9-13)

Background on Simon the sorcererBackground on Simon the sorcerer Previously practiced sorcery, astonishing the people, claiming toPreviously practiced sorcery, astonishing the people, claiming to

be greatbe great To whom people gave heed, calling him "the great power of God“To whom people gave heed, calling him "the great power of God“ P b bl thi l th t th b li d th t hP b bl thi l th t th b li d th t h Probably this means only that they believed that he was Probably this means only that they believed that he was

"invested with" the power of God, not that they supposed he was"invested with" the power of God, not that they supposed he wasreally the Great Godreally the Great Godreally the Great Godreally the Great God

Because of long time he had bewitched themBecause of long time he had bewitched them——This, coupled This, coupled with the rapidity with which they deserted him and attached with the rapidity with which they deserted him and attached themselves to Philip, shows the ripeness of Samaria for some themselves to Philip, shows the ripeness of Samaria for some religious changereligious change


Many Samaritans convertedMany Samaritans converted Believed Philip preaching concerning the kingdom of God and Believed Philip preaching concerning the kingdom of God and

the name of Jesusthe name of Jesus So it is evident that Philip's word came with greater power then So it is evident that Philip's word came with greater power then

th t f Si d th t hi i l t d th t t i hth t f Si d th t hi i l t d th t t i hthat of Simon; and that his miracles stood the test in such a waythat of Simon; and that his miracles stood the test in such a wayas the feats of Simon could notas the feats of Simon could not

Were baptized both men and womenWere baptized both men and women Were baptized, both men and womenWere baptized, both men and women Simon also believes and is baptizedSimon also believes and is baptized He was struck with the doctrine and miracles of Philip He was struck with the doctrine and miracles of Philip -- he saw he saw

that these were real; he knew his own to be fictitiousthat these were real; he knew his own to be fictitious


He believed therefore that Jesus was the Messiah, and was in He believed therefore that Jesus was the Messiah, and was in consequence baptizedconsequence baptized

Continued with PhilipContinued with Philip He was as much astonished and confounded at the miracles of He was as much astonished and confounded at the miracles of

Phili th l f S i t hi l d iPhili th l f S i t hi l d iPhilip as the people of Samaria were at his legerdemainPhilip as the people of Samaria were at his legerdemain Amazed with the signs and miracles that were doneAmazed with the signs and miracles that were done He became a believer like the restHe became a believer like the rest He became a believer like the restHe became a believer like the rest He was baptized like the rest; then, like many others, at a later He was baptized like the rest; then, like many others, at a later

period, under temptation, he fell into sin.period, under temptation, he fell into sin.

The Sorcerer’s Sin(8:14-25)

St. Peter and St. John sent to SamariaSt. Peter and St. John sent to Samaria This is positive proof that St. Peter was not a popeThis is positive proof that St. Peter was not a pope The body which sends is superior to the one sentThe body which sends is superior to the one sent He and St John go at the bidding of which the whole apostolicHe and St John go at the bidding of which the whole apostolic He and St. John go at the bidding of which the whole apostolicHe and St. John go at the bidding of which the whole apostolic

bodybody This is the last mention of John in ActsThis is the last mention of John in Acts By the apostles at JerusalemBy the apostles at Jerusalem Who heard the Samaritans received the word of GodWho heard the Samaritans received the word of God St. Peter and St. John impart the Holy SpiritSt. Peter and St. John impart the Holy Spirit


Praying for the Samaritans, for they had only been baptized in Praying for the Samaritans, for they had only been baptized in the name of Jesusthe name of Jesus

This was bestowed by apostolic prayer and the laying on ofThis was bestowed by apostolic prayer and the laying on ofh dh dhandshands

They had been born of water and the Spirit (Joh 3:5), but had They had been born of water and the Spirit (Joh 3:5), but had not received that baptism of the Spirit which conferrednot received that baptism of the Spirit which conferrednot received that baptism of the Spirit, which conferred not received that baptism of the Spirit, which conferred miraculous powersmiraculous powers


Simon tries to buy the gift of imparting the SpiritSimon tries to buy the gift of imparting the Spirit He saw that it was imparted by the laying on of the apostles' He saw that it was imparted by the laying on of the apostles'

handshands He witnessed the extraordinary effects, the power of speaking in He witnessed the extraordinary effects, the power of speaking in

i l t S th t A t 8 15i l t S th t A t 8 15a miraculous manner, etc. See the notes on Acts 8:15a miraculous manner, etc. See the notes on Acts 8:15 He offered St. Peter and St. John money for the same giftHe offered St. Peter and St. John money for the same gift Ambitious to possess this power peculiar to the apostles he isAmbitious to possess this power peculiar to the apostles he is Ambitious to possess this power peculiar to the apostles, he is Ambitious to possess this power peculiar to the apostles, he is

sordid enough to offer money for itsordid enough to offer money for it His sin was not that he aspired to this power, but that he sought His sin was not that he aspired to this power, but that he sought

to buy itto buy it He had very crude conceptions of the spirit of ChristianityHe had very crude conceptions of the spirit of Christianity


St. Peter strongly rebukes SimonSt. Peter strongly rebukes Simon For thinking the gift of God could be purchased with moneyFor thinking the gift of God could be purchased with money St. Peter takes care to inform not only Simon, but all to whom St. Peter takes care to inform not only Simon, but all to whom

these presents may come, that the Spirit of God is the gift of God these presents may come, that the Spirit of God is the gift of God alone, and consequently cannot be purchased with money; foralone, and consequently cannot be purchased with money; foralone, and consequently cannot be purchased with money; for alone, and consequently cannot be purchased with money; for what reward can He receive from his creatures, to whom the what reward can He receive from his creatures, to whom the silver and the gold belong, the cattle on a thousand hills, the silver and the gold belong, the cattle on a thousand hills, the

th d it f ll !th d it f ll !earth and its fullness! earth and its fullness! He had no part in this matter, for his heart was not right in the He had no part in this matter, for his heart was not right in the

sight of Godsight of Godgg It is not through motives of purity, benevolence, or love to the It is not through motives of purity, benevolence, or love to the

souls of mensouls of men It i th o gh ide ai glo a d lo e of o eIt i th o gh ide ai glo a d lo e of o e It is through pride, vain glory, and love of moneyIt is through pride, vain glory, and love of money


St. Peter counsels SimonSt. Peter counsels Simon To repent and pray for forgivenessTo repent and pray for forgiveness St. Peter did not suppose his case to be utterly hopeless; though St. Peter did not suppose his case to be utterly hopeless; though

hi i id d i it ti d bj t f th thi i id d i it ti d bj t f th this sin, considered in its motives and objects, was of the mosthis sin, considered in its motives and objects, was of the mostheinous kindheinous kind

For he is poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquityFor he is poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity For he is poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquityFor he is poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity He calls the inward malice of the heart and the venomous and He calls the inward malice of the heart and the venomous and

demonic wickedness with which the magician was wholly filled demonic wickedness with which the magician was wholly filled with the gall of bitterness: and he is said to be in the gall, as with the gall of bitterness: and he is said to be in the gall, as though he were wholly overwhelmed with gall, and buried in itthough he were wholly overwhelmed with gall, and buried in it


Simon pleads with St. Peter to pray for himSimon pleads with St. Peter to pray for him The words of St. Peter certainly made a deep impression on The words of St. Peter certainly made a deep impression on

Simon's mind; and he must have had a high opinion of the Simon's mind; and he must have had a high opinion of the tl ' tit d i fl ith G d h h thtl ' tit d i fl ith G d h h thapostle's sanctity and influence with God, when he thus apostle's sanctity and influence with God, when he thus

commended himself to their prayerscommended himself to their prayers St Peter and St John return to JerusalemSt Peter and St John return to Jerusalem St. Peter and St. John return to JerusalemSt. Peter and St. John return to Jerusalem After testifying and preaching the word of the LordAfter testifying and preaching the word of the Lord After preaching the gospel in many of the villages of the After preaching the gospel in many of the villages of the

SamaritansSamaritans

Christ Is Preached to an Ethiopian (8:26-40)

An angel of the Lord tells Philip to go south toward GazaAn angel of the Lord tells Philip to go south toward Gaza Gaza.: An old Philistine city, on the seacoast plain in southwestGaza.: An old Philistine city, on the seacoast plain in southwest

PalestinePalestine It t k b Al d th G t d h d d dIt t k b Al d th G t d h d d d It was taken by Alexander the Great, and had endured many It was taken by Alexander the Great, and had endured many

sieges, but is still a town of 15,000 or 16,000 inhabitantssieges, but is still a town of 15,000 or 16,000 inhabitants In a desert area he sees a man in a chariotIn a desert area he sees a man in a chariot In a desert area he sees a man in a chariotIn a desert area he sees a man in a chariot A man of great authorityA man of great authority A eunuch from EthiopiaA eunuch from Ethiopia In charge of the treasury of Candace, queen of EthiopiaIn charge of the treasury of Candace, queen of Ethiopia


A religious manA religious man Had traveled to Jerusalem to worshipHad traveled to Jerusalem to worship Reading from Isaiah on his return homeReading from Isaiah on his return home He was probably a proselyte to the Jewish faithHe was probably a proselyte to the Jewish faith Hi l j hi t d f S i t d hi d h iHi l j hi t d f S i t d hi d h i His long journey, his study of Scripture, and his ready hearing His long journey, his study of Scripture, and his ready hearing

all indicate a believer in Jehovah, a devout man, and one all indicate a believer in Jehovah, a devout man, and one seeking for the Christseeking for the Christseeking for the Christseeking for the Christ

The Spirit tells Philip to overtake the chariotThe Spirit tells Philip to overtake the chariot Christ, who calls freely whom he wishes, now uses Philip, who Christ, who calls freely whom he wishes, now uses Philip, who

was not thinking about any such thing, to unexpectedly instruct was not thinking about any such thing, to unexpectedly instruct and baptize the eunuch, and by this means extends the limits of and baptize the eunuch, and by this means extends the limits of hi ki d i t Ethi ihi ki d i t Ethi ihis kingdom even into Ethiopiahis kingdom even into Ethiopia


Philip promptly obeyed, ran to the chariot, listened and heard Philip promptly obeyed, ran to the chariot, listened and heard what he readwhat he read

Hears him reading from Isaiah Hears him reading from Isaiah -- Isa 53:7Isa 53:7--88 A d th k d hi ti th lt f hi h th t hA d th k d hi ti th lt f hi h th t h And then asked his question, the result of which was that he And then asked his question, the result of which was that he

was asked to take his place in the chariot to explain the was asked to take his place in the chariot to explain the ScriptureScriptureScriptureScripture

Beautiful expression at once of humility and docility; the Beautiful expression at once of humility and docility; the invitation to Philip which immediately followed, to "come up and invitation to Philip which immediately followed, to "come up and sit with him," being but the natural expression of thissit with him," being but the natural expression of this


The whole chapter is a wonderful delineation of the sufferings of The whole chapter is a wonderful delineation of the sufferings of ChristChrist

One cannot but wonder that this, of all predictions of Messiah's One cannot but wonder that this, of all predictions of Messiah's ff i i th Old T t t th t t iki h ld hff i i th Old T t t th t t iki h ld hsufferings in the Old Testament the most striking, should havesufferings in the Old Testament the most striking, should have

been that which the eunuch was reading before Philip joined been that which the eunuch was reading before Philip joined himhimhimhim


The eunuch’s question gave Philip the opportunity of preaching The eunuch’s question gave Philip the opportunity of preaching JesusJesus

St. Philip did not confine himself to this one scripture, but madeSt. Philip did not confine himself to this one scripture, but madethi hi t t d h d f th l t f th dthi hi t t d h d f th l t f th dthis his text, and showed, from the general tenor of the sacred this his text, and showed, from the general tenor of the sacred writings, and from the prophecies of the Messiah that Jesus was writings, and from the prophecies of the Messiah that Jesus was the Christ; and that in his person birth life doctrine miraclesthe Christ; and that in his person birth life doctrine miraclesthe Christ; and that in his person, birth, life, doctrine, miracles, the Christ; and that in his person, birth, life, doctrine, miracles, passion, death, and resurrection, the Scriptures of the Old passion, death, and resurrection, the Scriptures of the Old Testament were fulfilled and He commanded his gospel to be Testament were fulfilled and He commanded his gospel to be preached and believers to be baptized in his namepreached and believers to be baptized in his name


This preaching had the desired effect, for the eunuch was This preaching had the desired effect, for the eunuch was convinced of the truth of Philip's doctrine, and desired to be convinced of the truth of Philip's doctrine, and desired to be baptized in the name of Jesusbaptized in the name of Jesus

B ti i f ith i J hi h th h fB ti i f ith i J hi h th h f Baptism requires faith in Jesus, which the eunuch confessesBaptism requires faith in Jesus, which the eunuch confesses


Both go into the water, and Philip baptizes the eunuchBoth go into the water, and Philip baptizes the eunuch While Philip was instructing him, and he professed his faith in While Philip was instructing him, and he professed his faith in

Christ, he probably plunged himself under the water, as this wasChrist, he probably plunged himself under the water, as this wasthe plan which appears to have been generally followed amongthe plan which appears to have been generally followed amongth J i th i b tith J i th i b tithe Jews in their baptismsthe Jews in their baptisms

Following the baptismFollowing the baptism The Spirit of the Lord led Philip to depart abruptlyThe Spirit of the Lord led Philip to depart abruptly The Spirit of the Lord led Philip to depart abruptlyThe Spirit of the Lord led Philip to depart abruptly He was snatched awayHe was snatched away


The eunuch went on his way rejoicingThe eunuch went on his way rejoicing He had found Christ, and the key to the Scriptures; his soul wasHe had found Christ, and the key to the Scriptures; his soul was

set free, and his discipleship sealed; he had lost his teacher, but set free, and his discipleship sealed; he had lost his teacher, but gained what was infinitely better: He felt himself a new man, gained what was infinitely better: He felt himself a new man,

d "hi j f ll "d "hi j f ll "and "his joy was full." and "his joy was full." Tradition says he was the first preacher of the Gospel in Tradition says he was the first preacher of the Gospel in

Ethiopia; and how indeed could he choose but "tell what theEthiopia; and how indeed could he choose but "tell what theEthiopia; and how, indeed, could he choose but tell what the Ethiopia; and how, indeed, could he choose but tell what the Lord had done for his soul?“Lord had done for his soul?“

Philip was later found at Azotus, and preached in all the cities Philip was later found at Azotus, and preached in all the cities till he came to Caesareatill he came to Caesarea


Azotus: The old Philistine city of Ashdod, near the seacoast, Azotus: The old Philistine city of Ashdod, near the seacoast, between Gaza and Joppabetween Gaza and Joppa

Here he preached in all the seacoast cities, probably foundingHere he preached in all the seacoast cities, probably foundingchurches. See churches. See Acts Acts 9:32,369:32,36

W t t ld h h h d CW t t ld h h h d C We are not told how soon he reached CaesareaWe are not told how soon he reached Caesarea It may have been months or yearsIt may have been months or years At any rate it is likely that it did not take place until afterAt any rate it is likely that it did not take place until after At any rate, it is likely that it did not take place until after At any rate, it is likely that it did not take place until after

St. Peter's missionary work thereSt. Peter's missionary work there Many years later we find Philip living in this city (Many years later we find Philip living in this city (Acts Acts 21:8)21:8)

ConclusionConclusion

How things worked for good for the church of God in this How things worked for good for the church of God in this chapter?chapter?

How does Simon the sorcerer demonstrate a “new wine in an oldHow does Simon the sorcerer demonstrate a “new wine in an oldi ki ”?i ki ”?wineskin”?wineskin”?

What are the dogmas that we can learn from this chapter inWhat are the dogmas that we can learn from this chapter in What are the dogmas that we can learn from this chapter in What are the dogmas that we can learn from this chapter in regard to the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation?regard to the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation?

ConclusionConclusion

How did the Spirit of God lead St. Philip in this chapter? How did the Spirit of God lead St. Philip in this chapter?

St. Philip gives us an important lesson about serving God in this St. Philip gives us an important lesson about serving God in this chapter, what is it?chapter, what is it?

What can we learn from the Ethiopian Eunich?What can we learn from the Ethiopian Eunich?

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