[Tues, 4 June] Acts 8:4-8 (434 words; 3/12)

The lynching of Stephen unleashed a severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem, with Saul leading the way. Although the apostles managed to remain in Jerusalem, the rest of the church was forced to flee the city. As is typical of Luke's storytelling, a character has been introduced briefly--in this case, Saul--but won't feature properly until later on (cf. Barnabas in 4:36). Meanwhile, Acts 8 focuses on the ministry adventures of Philip, one of the seven leaders appointed alongside Stephen. The theme of this section is, of course, not really Philip himself, but the first steps of the Gospel outside Jerusalem on the way to fulfilling Jesus' command in 1:8. Thus we see a crucial moment when the Gospel crosses a bitter, ethnic barrier to Samaria, and then again when an African proselyte is converted, and returns to his country rejoicing. In all this the way is being paved for the great mystery to be revealed, the inclusion of the Gentiles in the people of God (note 1), which will happen with Peter and Cornelius in ch. 10 (and see esp 11:18).

The evangelism of Samaria was bold and significant. Although the Samaritans were partly Jewish, the division and emnity between them and the Jews was great and longstanding. It is often the way that two groups, which to the outside world appear virtually indistinguishable, view each other with remarkable hostility, magnifying their perceived differences (think Newcastle and Sunderland, or Bradford and Burnley). Samaria had been captured by the Jewish ruler John Hyrcanus I (134-104 BC), but liberated by the Romans when they conquered in 63 BC. They had their own rival temple on Mt Gerizim (cf. Jn 4:20), and, in terms of Scripture, used only the Penteteuch or Torah. They too hoped for a Messiah, which they called the Taheb ('restorer' or 'returning one'), based on Moses' prophecy in Dt 18:18 (cf. Jn 4:25). It is Luke's Gospel, of course, which describes the rejection of Jesus by Samaritan villages (Lk 9:52-53). 

Although there will be one or two wrinkles, initially the reception of the Gospel is straightforward, genuine and joyous. The crowds were eager to listen to Philip's message, and, seeing the miracles of exorcism and healing, they believed (cf. v. 12). Before Luke delves into some detail, he concludes his introductory summary with the happy note--much needed after Stephen's death--that "there was great joy in that city." (v. 8).


(1) Paul in several places describes the inclusion of the Gentiles in salvation as a 'mystery' hidden throughout the ages and revealed only now. See Eph 3:1-6; Rom 11:25; Col 1:26–27; 2:2; 1 Tim 3:16.

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