Acts 8:1–8: Persecution and Joy
Introduction
It took the Jewish religious leaders some time to give full vent to their rage against the church. Now that Stephen has been put to death, however, that slow-moving process accelerates quickly, moving into an all-out persecution against the church. On the surface, this might seem like the worst possible situation that the early church could face, especially as they are still trying to gain their footing in the world. Yet, the growth of the early church was never about the strength and ability of the people, and always about the sovereign plan and power of God himself. In this passage, we see vividly that what the world intends for persecution, God intends for joy.
Discussion Questions
1. How does Luke introduce Saul (Acts 6:9; 7:58; here, vv. 1, 3)? Why do you think that Luke introduces the figure of Saul so slowly, and how does that shape the way that we hear about his fierce persecution in v. 3? How does the church respond to the death of Stephen (v. 2)? What does that response teach us about how we should view the tragedy of persecution? How does the persecution of the church echo the language of the growth of the church (v. 3; cf. Acts 2:46)?
2. How does the church react to the “great persecution” that arises in Jerusalem (v. 1)? How does this reaction contribute to the spread of the gospel? What is the significance of the term “scattered” (vv. 1, 4)? How does their “preaching the word” as they are scattered echo Jesus’ parable of the sower (Luke 8:11)? How does the church’s being scattered into the wider region of Judea and into Samaria contribute to the fulfillment of Jesus’ mission (Acts 1:8)?
3. Who is Philip, and where have we seen him already (Acts 6:5)? What does it mean that he will later be called an “evangelist” (Acts 21:8; Eph. 4:11; 2 Tim. 4:5)? How do we know that Philip is laboring in Samaria under the authority of the apostles (Acts 8:14)? How does that begin to inform our understanding of the role of the office of “evangelists” in the early church? Why might we conclude that the office of evangelist ceased with the apostolic age (vv. 6–7)?
4. How did Jesus prepare the way for ministry in Samaria (John 4:39–42)? How did the Samaritans respond to the preaching of Philip (vv. 6–7)? How does the description of the rise of “much joy” in v. 8 match the rise of “great persecution” in v. 1? What does this tell us about God’s sovereign power, not only to protect and preserve his people, but also to use even the greatest evil to extend his salvation into the world (cf. Gen. 50:20)?
