Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Bible Study: Acts 8

What an opening sentence!

Acts 8:1 And Saul approved of their killing him.

Wow.  Isn't this the same Saul that becomes Paul?  Let's read on . . .

3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Well, while Saul was being nasty, others were busy preaching the good news about Jesus.  Most notably in this chapter we read more about Philip.  He did many miraculous things in Jesus' name.  He even impressed Simon who was a sorcerer who was also doing great things, however, Simon was doing them for his own glory, and not for Jesus.  Philip's deeds impressed Simon so much that Simon tried to buy favors from Philip.  This of course was wrong, and so Philip rebuked Simon and said that was sinful to try to buy favors, and that you can't buy God's grace.  

After this Philip continued down the "desert road".  There he met up with a eunuch who is unnamed.  However, it does say that this eunuch/man was  reading the writings of Isaiah.  He was reading the prophecy of Jesus.  Philip asked the man if he understood what they meant, and the man said that he didn't understand.  Then the man asked Philip to explain it to him.  Of course Philip was more than happy to tell one more man about Jesus. :)

After hearing about Jesus, the man wanted to be baptized. 

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.

This is one of those times when I wish the bible had a bit more information.  It sounds like God 'teleported' Philip - much like what we would see in Star Trek. :)  He just disappeared from the eunuch's presence, and reappeared at Azotus.  Interesting, isn't it. ;)

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