Acts 8

Acts 8 is divided into three sections and it is very interesting to understand why.

Verses 1-4 are kind of still dealing with the stoning of Stephen and the aftermath of that experience.  Saul had agreed to the killing and on that very day persecution of the church began.  It was part of the prophetic time table to begin that day, but I wonder if the early church understood that then.  Often we don't understand our crisis until after they are over.

For one moment pretend that you were translated this morning and you are standing before God.  God is asking you to tell him the three most important needs that the people in your life need.  What would you tell God.

            1.

            2.

            3.

Now that you've done that, what do you think God saw that the church needed at this time in chapter 8. 

·        Verse 1 –

·        Verse 2 –

·        Verse 3 –

In verse 4, it is so interesting to see that just what they needed is what they did.  They went.  They got out of their comfort zone and went and did the work of spreading the gospel.  They preached which is the best way to encourage yourself by sharing with someone else.   What they preached was the word.  They had certainty because they had the Word.  It wasn't based on people or circumstances, but the Word.

What would happen to our Christian experience if we got out of our comfort zone, shared our experience with God with others, and preached the Word.  I wonder.

The chapter then goes into two stories.  Philip preached the Word to two different people and they are a very interesting study.  If you want to get an eye opener about the kind of church member you are, check out these two examples.

Simon the Sorcerer                                                  Eunuch of Ethiopia

Similarities

Religious - sorcerer :9                                              Religious - Worshipper  :27

Authority :10                                                               Great Authority :27

Believed :13                                                              Believed :37

Baptized :13                                                              Baptized :38

Church member :13                                                  Church member :38

                                                Differences

Simon the Sorcerer                                                  Eunuch of Ethiopia

:19                                                                               :30-34

:21                                                                               :36

:23                                                                               :37

:24                                                                               :37

:24                                                                               :39

Both these men responded positively to Philips evangelism.  They believed, were baptized, and became church members.  What different church members they were! 

Let's look at Simon first.

Simon – Describe what he was like…..

The eunuch – Describe what he was like….

What kind of church member are you?  A Simon? Or A Eunuch of Ethiopia?

Today in the church there are Simons, sad to say.  There are Eunuchs of Ethiopia.  I wonder…..

Who are you?