Acts 8:1-8 New International Version (NIV)
8 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 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.
Philip in Samaria
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Verses 1-4 Three important things happened because of Stephen’s death.
1. Immediately, Saul began to persecute the Christians in Jerusalem. He was very cruel. He even searched in people’s houses to find the believers.
2. Many believers left Jerusalem. They traveled far across Judea. They also went to Samaria, in the north. They went in many different directions. But the apostles stayed in Jerusalem.
3. People outside Jerusalem heard the good news about Jesus. The believers who had left Jerusalem did not hide. They were bold. And they preached the gospel wherever they went.
The ‘godly men’ (verse 2) who buried Stephen were probably not believers. Some students think that they were Jews. There were many Jews who were not believers. Not all such Jews hated the Christians.
Verses 6-8 Philip was one of the 7 helpers (Acts 6:5). The apostles had chosen them to distribute food to the poorer believers. Philip had worked with Stephen. The apostles had chosen them to do practical work. But God also used them to preach. Stephen had preached to the Sanhedrin. Now Philip was preaching to the people in Samaria. This was a brave thing to do.
Jews and Samaritans had been enemies for 1000 years. A long time ago, they had lived in the same country. But the Samaritans’ ancestors had moved north. They had made Samaria their capital city. They had married local people, who worshipped false gods. The Samaritans worshipped God on Mount Gerizim, not at Jerusalem. They read only the first five books in the Old Testament. Jews and Samaritans hated each other. They did not usually speak to each other. But Jesus had talked with a woman who was a Samaritan (John 4:4-30). And he had told a story about a good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Now Philip was telling the good news about Jesus to the Samaritans.
When Philip preached, the evil spirits left people. They were not able to control people any longer. Also, many sick people became well. Miracles happened when Philip spoke about Jesus, the Messiah. People knew that the message in the gospel is true. Jesus saves everyone who believes in him. He protects them from evil things. He cures their diseases and he gives joy to people.