Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9–13)
Simon practiced sorcery and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great (Acts 8:9). The city regarded him as “the great power of God” (Acts 8:10), for he had amazed them with magic for a long time (Acts 8:11). Sorcery is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:20) and is associated with false religion (Revelation 18:23). When Philip preached the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, many believed and were baptized (Acts 8:12), including Simon, who continued with Philip (Acts 8:13).
The Apostles Are Sent to Samaria (Acts 8:14–25)
Hearing that Samaria had received the Word, the apostles sent Peter and John (Acts 8:14). They prayed for the believers to receive the Holy Spirit, as they had only been baptized in Jesus’ name (Acts 8:15–16). The apostles laid hands on them, and they received the Spirit (Acts 8:17). Simon offered money for this power (Acts 8:18–19), but Peter rebuked him, declaring that his heart was not right before God (Acts 8:20–21). Peter urged him to repent and pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:22), for he was bound in bitterness and unrighteousness (Acts 8:23). Bitterness involves deep resentment and hostility, while unrighteousness includes sinful thoughts and actions. Simon asked Peter to intercede for him (Acts 8:24). The apostles preached the Word as they returned to Jerusalem (Acts 8:25).
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26–40)
An angel directed Philip to go south toward Gaza (Acts 8:26), where he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace (Acts 8:27). The eunuch, a proselyte, was reading Isaiah (Acts 8:28). The Spirit told Philip to approach the chariot (Acts 8:29), and Philip asked if he understood the passage (Acts 8:30). The eunuch admitted he needed guidance (Acts 8:31–33). He was reading Isaiah 53:7–8, which speaks of the suffering servant: His death (Isaiah 53:9), guilt offering (Isaiah 53:10, 12), bearing of iniquity (Isaiah 53:11), and resurrection (Psalm 16:10). When the eunuch asked whom the prophet described, Philip explained it was Jesus (Acts 8:34–35). The eunuch then requested baptism, and Philip baptized him (Acts 8:36–38). Philip was caught away and appeared in Azotus, preaching in all the cities until Caesarea (Acts 8:39–40).
The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1–19)
Saul sought to persecute the Church, obtaining letters to arrest believers in Damascus (Acts 9:1–2). On his journey, a bright light surrounded him (Acts 9:3). He fell and heard a voice identifying itself as Jesus (Acts 9:4–5). Saul was instructed to enter Damascus for further direction (Acts 9:6). Those with him heard the sound but saw no one (Acts 9:7). Saul arose blind and did not eat or drink for three days (Acts 9:8–9).
Ananias Sent to Saul (Acts 9:10–19)
The Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision, instructing him to go to Saul (Acts 9:10–11), who had seen a vision of Ananias restoring his sight (Acts 9:12). Ananias hesitated, knowing Saul’s past (Acts 9:13–14), but the Lord affirmed Saul as His chosen vessel (Acts 9:15–16). Ananias obeyed and told Saul he was sent to restore his sight and that he might be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored (Acts 9:18). He arose, was baptized, ate, and regained strength (Acts 9:19).
Simon practiced sorcery and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great (Acts 8:9). The city regarded him as “the great power of God” (Acts 8:10), for he had amazed them with magic for a long time (Acts 8:11). Sorcery is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:20) and is associated with false religion (Revelation 18:23). When Philip preached the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, many believed and were baptized (Acts 8:12), including Simon, who continued with Philip (Acts 8:13).
The Apostles Are Sent to Samaria (Acts 8:14–25)
Hearing that Samaria had received the Word, the apostles sent Peter and John (Acts 8:14). They prayed for the believers to receive the Holy Spirit, as they had only been baptized in Jesus’ name (Acts 8:15–16). The apostles laid hands on them, and they received the Spirit (Acts 8:17). Simon offered money for this power (Acts 8:18–19), but Peter rebuked him, declaring that his heart was not right before God (Acts 8:20–21). Peter urged him to repent and pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:22), for he was bound in bitterness and unrighteousness (Acts 8:23). Bitterness involves deep resentment and hostility, while unrighteousness includes sinful thoughts and actions. Simon asked Peter to intercede for him (Acts 8:24). The apostles preached the Word as they returned to Jerusalem (Acts 8:25).
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26–40)
An angel directed Philip to go south toward Gaza (Acts 8:26), where he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace (Acts 8:27). The eunuch, a proselyte, was reading Isaiah (Acts 8:28). The Spirit told Philip to approach the chariot (Acts 8:29), and Philip asked if he understood the passage (Acts 8:30). The eunuch admitted he needed guidance (Acts 8:31–33). He was reading Isaiah 53:7–8, which speaks of the suffering servant: His death (Isaiah 53:9), guilt offering (Isaiah 53:10, 12), bearing of iniquity (Isaiah 53:11), and resurrection (Psalm 16:10). When the eunuch asked whom the prophet described, Philip explained it was Jesus (Acts 8:34–35). The eunuch then requested baptism, and Philip baptized him (Acts 8:36–38). Philip was caught away and appeared in Azotus, preaching in all the cities until Caesarea (Acts 8:39–40).
The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1–19)
Saul sought to persecute the Church, obtaining letters to arrest believers in Damascus (Acts 9:1–2). On his journey, a bright light surrounded him (Acts 9:3). He fell and heard a voice identifying itself as Jesus (Acts 9:4–5). Saul was instructed to enter Damascus for further direction (Acts 9:6). Those with him heard the sound but saw no one (Acts 9:7). Saul arose blind and did not eat or drink for three days (Acts 9:8–9).
Ananias Sent to Saul (Acts 9:10–19)
The Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision, instructing him to go to Saul (Acts 9:10–11), who had seen a vision of Ananias restoring his sight (Acts 9:12). Ananias hesitated, knowing Saul’s past (Acts 9:13–14), but the Lord affirmed Saul as His chosen vessel (Acts 9:15–16). Ananias obeyed and told Saul he was sent to restore his sight and that he might be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17). Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored (Acts 9:18). He arose, was baptized, ate, and regained strength (Acts 9:19).