Explore the Bible Lesson Preview May 1, 2016 Obedient Background: Acts 8:4-40 Lesson: Acts 8:26-31, 35, 38-39 Motivation: In this lesson we have two contrasting personalities; Simon the magician who claimed to be from God contrasted with Philip, the deacon and evangelist, who was sent from God. Comparing the men helps us evaluate those who claim spiritual leadership today. I. Consistency in New Circumstances So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the message of good news. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6 The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city. (4-8) A. Proclamation: As we concluded last session, the word for preaching the message is transliterated into English as evangelizing. The scattered ones were non-apostles (1). We can confidently teach that the focus of the New Testament church was meant to be on the good news and the bearers of this good news were, for the most part, the laity. 1 / 8
B. Application 1. Unity one mind (6) 2. Power: unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed (7) 3. Healing many who were paralyzed and lame were healed (7) C. Jubilation So there was a great joy in that city. (8) The result of Christian influence in a secular culture is not a repressive set of rules; rather, Christ brings joy (John 10:10). II. Consistency in Challenging Conditions (9-25) Believer s Study Bible, p. 1555: 8:9 This is Christianity s first sharp confrontation with the occult. Moses had listed no fewer than 10 abominations of the nations, particularly of Canaan. He strongly warned the Israelites just before crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land (Deut. 18:9-14). Sorcery is literally magic arts, from mageuo (Gk.), the root for the English word magic. Moses warned the Israelites that Canaan would be filled with the practitioners of wizardry, necromancy, and divination. He then indicated to the chosen people that God was instituting prophecy precisely to teach and warn the Israelites about such things. (Isa. 46:9-60) Sorcery and its like were wholly unacceptable to the God of Israel (Lev. 20:6, 27; Deut. 17:2-5). Moses indicated that the prophets God would send, apparently beginning with Joshua, would teach the people to resist such practices. (Deut. 18:13) Prophecy would be established alongside the priesthood (Deut. 18:15). This may be an instance of double futuristic application of prophecy because Peter treated this prediction as having been fulfilled by the coming of Christ (2:22-24). In Christianity s first encounter with the Samaritan culture, Simon stubbornly resisted and apparently never actually became a Christian (8:18-24). (Christ is our prophet, priest and potentate 1 Tim. 6:15). In Simon the magician, we can see certain characteristics of cult leaders that exist today: 2 / 8
A. Charismatic Personality astounded the Samaritan people (9, 11) B. Claims of Self-Importance claiming to be somebody great (9) C. Caricature of a Man of God This man is called the Great Power of God (10) D. Cavalier Attitude Then even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he went around constantly with Philip (13) Simon went through the motions but the truth never made the 18 journey from his head to his heart (21). E. Cared Mostly about Money he offered them money (18). One who is covetous (2 Peter 2:14-15) always evaluates spiritual things in monetary terms. HCSB; p.1876: 8:17 Early converts received the Holy Spirit at the laying on of hands by apostles or evangelists. Some suggest that this was God s plan to ensure that new believers received trustworthy instruction and got connected to God s chosen apostolic leaders. F. Characterized by a Sinful Lifestyle your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity (21-23) Peter denounces false teachers in his Second epistle as irr ational animals worthy of suffering harm as the payment for unrighteousness, delighting in their deceptions, they have eyes full of adultery and are always looking for sin, with hearts trained in greed (2:12-14). HCSB; p. 1876: 8:20-22 By saying that Simon had no part or share in this matter, Peter confirmed that Simon had not truly converted to Christianity. His heart (meaning his will, affections, allegiance) was still 3 / 8
not right before God. III. Compelled to Seek An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. (This is the desert road.) 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. 29 The Spirit told Philip, Go and join that chariot. (26-29) A. Philip was Prepared: we learned in chapter 6 that as a Deacon, Philip was full of the Spirit and wisdom. (6:3) Perhaps the primary reason Christians don t share the Good News is that they don t feel equipped to do so. This leads to fear, embarrassment and hesitancy. B. Philip was Pliant: when the Spirit said Get up and go Philip got up and went. He didn t need to be told twice. Even in the midst of a great revival, Philip did not hesitate to change his plans in order to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. C. Philip was Purposeful: no doubt, Philip recalled the words of Jesus at His ascension when He said you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (1:8) Philip was living out this command having already served in Jerusalem (6:5), led a revival in Samaria (8:4), and in this account began the church s world mission movement. When the Spirit identified the chariot (29), Philip ran to it. IV. Prepared to Share 4 / 8
When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, Do you understand what you re reading? 31 How can I he said, unless someone guides me? So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so He does not open His mouth. 33 In His humiliation justice was denied Him. Who will describe His generation? For His life is taken from the earth. 34 The eunuch replied to Philip, I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about himself or another person? 35 So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture. (30-35) A. Philip Observed ran up to it (30) The witnessing experience began before Philip said a word. As he approached the chariot, no doubt he could deduce several things about the occupant including nationality, social standing, and perhaps occupation. Being a good observer helped Philip make a productive approach. B. Philip Asked Do you understand what you re reading? (30) Asking appropriate questions allows the witness to engage in a relevant way. C. Philip Listened I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about himself or another person? HCSB; p. 1877: 8:32-34 The Ethiopian was reading Is. 53:7-8, apparently from the Greek text. It is likely that he was reading the entire Suffering Servant section of Isaiah (52:13-53:12). The eunuch s question, who is the prophet saying this about, allowed Philip to explain Jesus as the subject of the passage. It is Jesus, not Isaiah, who suffered for the sins of humanity (Is 53:6). From the earliest days of the church, the Suffering Servant section has been seen as an ideal starting place for explaining the Gospel. 5 / 8
D. Philip Shared So Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture. (35) When provided the opportunity, Philip was prepared to share the good news. Unfortunately, many Christians never invest the time to learn a coherent Bible based gospel explanation. V. Focused on Salvation As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, Look, there s water! What would keep me from being baptized? [ 37 And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart you may. And he replied, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. ] 38 Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer. But he went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip appeared in Azotus and he was traveling and evangelizing all the towns until he came to Caesarea. (36-40) A. Baptism follows Conversion [ 37 And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart you may. And he replied, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. ] This verse is in brackets because some manuscripts do not contain it. It was probably a common confession of the early church required of candidates for baptism, much like Romans 10:9-10. Its inclusion is a reminder that baptism is an outward symbol of and inner transformation. As such, it always is to follow conversion. B. Baptism is by Immersion HCSB; p. 1877: 8:38-40 The Ethiopian requested and was granted baptism just as soon as he believed. That they went into the water and then came up out of the water apparently indicates baptism by immersion. A miracle is indicated by carried Philip away, for the eunuch came up out of the water and found himself alone. The Holy Spirit had taken Philip to his next appointment, a place called Azotus. 6 / 8
Application: 1. Sharing Jesus is our priority. 2. Effective evangelism exacts a price. 3. Christian influence changes culture. Leader Pack Item 8: Conversions in Acts, item 12 Poster: Acts 1:8 Illustrator: p. 94: Trade and Travel Routes to Ethiopia Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.or g ; also, the Highpoint Bible Study (Downtown) is available on MP3 at the HFBC site under the Highpoint link/downloads. Dates: 2016 4/30 Widow & Widowers Spring Luncheon; 5/1 NextGen Training Day; 5/8 SPF Mother s Day Luncheon; 5/11 - VBS Big Training Preschool & Children; 5/14 - CBS Graduation; 5/15 High School Senior Celebration Sunday; 5/15 SPF B-day Bash; 5/22 Parent Commitment & First Grade Bible; 5/27 7 / 8
Last Day of FBA; 5/29 AMP/WIRED Sunday; 6/3 Summer Kickoff at the Loop; 6/3-4 5 th grade Launch at the Loop; 6/5 Promotion Sunday (all campuses); 6/5 SPF Birthday Bash; 6/5-9 Elevate Choir Tour; 6/6 7/5 Pastor Gregg s Sabbatical; 6/12-15 Camp Intersect; 6/18-25 HUB Intl. Mission Trip; 6/19 SPF Father s Day Lunch; 6/25 Men: Serve; 6/27-30 VBS @ Loop only family night on 6/29. 8 / 8