May 19, 2025 – Summary of Weekly Bible-Base Meditational Articles from the Book of Acts 8 KJV
For MBBC -BH Online Morning Bible Study and Group Prayer and Devotion May 20, 2025
“25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.”
Lesson: Arise and Go!
Acts 8:1-8 KJV
“1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæaand Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.”
After Stephen’s stoning to death, the persecution to the first Christian Church in Jerusalem got worst. Saul became fiercely dedicated to disperse them; entering house to house and put to jail all who professed to believe in Jesus Christ.
And almost all of the disciples left Jerusalem, but continue to spread the gospel, except the Apostles. And herein was mentioned that Philip went to Samaria; preached Christ, did great miracle of healing sicknesses, palsy and casting out evil spirits. Many got saved and great joy overwhelmed the city.
From these verses, alluded that persecution too can be used by GOD in spreading the gospel.
That if we feel we are being persecuted, unwanted, accused of causing troubles or hated, that might be GOD is saying, time for us to leave. He surely is leading us to another place we will be most needed.
Even until now, the Holy Spirit is speaking to whomever The LORD lead, therefore, be attentive.
From Acts 8:9-24 KJV, during the Apostles of The LORD JESUS CHRIST time, them who professed their faith in The LORD has to be lay hand by the Apostles, particularly Apostle Peter and Apostle John. And this one Simon in the city of Samaria, a sorcerer accepted also JESUS.
But when he witnessed the laying of hand of the apostles that the HOLY GHOST wasreceived by them whom the apostles laid their hands, that he offered money to Apostle Peter, that he was rebuked by the apostle sharply.
For what amount of money from a human being is able to purchase The HOLY GHOST of GOD? When He is the source of all things even the forgiveness of sin.
Then Simon plead from Apostle Peter to pray for him for forgiveness, for a dreadful judgement is about to be mete to him whose heart is full of envy.
The bible indeed quoted in Ecclesiates 10: [19] “A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.” But this pertains only in the things here in the world; not heavenly acceptance. For going to Heaven can only be obtained from GOD, through these:
Let no one think that money will be able to purchase the communion with the HOLY GHOST. For it only can be done with humility and meekness in full surrender and total submission to GOD’s Holy words. But monetary grace offerings must be given inwholehearted giving back with gladness of the LORD’s portion; knowing that The LORD counted it to sustain His earthly ministries; to mobilized the furtherance of the gospel throughout the whole world.
Let the joy in grace giving fill our hearts and soul.
Acts 8:25-31 KJV -
“25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.”
Written here was one among the miraculously amazing days of them as the disciples of CHRIST: when the angel of The LORD ordered Philip to arise and go unto this Ethiopian Eunuch, it was detailed and specific. No need to pay for fare to go; for the HOLY SPIRIT brought him close to the moving chariot of the Eunuch, that very moment the man was reading the Scriptures.
They are in the dispensation of time, when the power of GOD was outpoured, for people to see miracles and wonders. And that GOD in His Majestic power is able to do exceedingly above men’s comprehension.
Philip baptized right there and then the Ethiopian Eunuch, who did not hesitate to affirm his belief from what Evangelist Philip taught him. Then the Spirit of The LORD caught away Philip that he did not saw him no more. Renewed and with rejoicing he went his way, while Philip was carried by the Spirit of The LORD to be found preaching in Azotus, in all cities and then to Caesarea.
The GOD of the ancient time who wrought great works through His disciples is fheGOD whom we served today. Though these miraculous works He has done through His faithful men ceased, yet His wonderful grace continue to sustain us whose heart is to submit to His blessed will.
The HOLY SPIRIT might not be working the way He works to the disciples of the LORD who are the witnesses of His wondrous works, but His marvelous power still works within us in His ver own amazing ways and wonders.
We might have within our circle of acquaintances like Saul, who heavily despise our faith in the LORD; we might be among those who suffered persecution as we practice our faith and sharing of His words, bribe us to have what we have in JESUS just like the sorcerer Simon, but surely, there will always be like the Ethiopian Eunuch whose heart is thirsty and hungering to know the truth.
Let us arise and go!
May GOD’s amazing grace be seen through us, whom are called to preach and teach the gospel, from which we also are instructed to continue.
Good morning
Acts 8:1-40 KJV And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. [2] And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. [3] As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. [4] Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. [5] Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. [6] And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. [7] For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. [8] And there was great joy in that city. [9] But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: [10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. [11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. [12] But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. [14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: [15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. [18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, [19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. [20] But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. [21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. [22] Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. [23] For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. [24] Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. [25] And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. [26] And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. [27] And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, [28] Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. [29] Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. [30] And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? [31] And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. [32] The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: [33] In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. [34] And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. [36] And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? [37] And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [38] And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. [39] And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. [40] But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. |
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