Chapter Summary

Saul persecuting Christians. The first missionaries. The case of Simon, the sorcerer. Philip and the Ethiopian.

Discussion Questions for Acts, Chapter 8

1. Saul made sure that the persecution intensified against the Christians. How did the Spirit of God turn this for good? How did the dispersion of the disciples fulfill God's promises?
2. What incredible miracles did God perform in Samaria? How did the disposition of the city change? Why would most Jews never go to Samaria? How did persecution enable this gospel movement?
3. What name was famous in Samaria before the preaching of the gospel? What did he do? Where do you see false prophets today?
4. Did Simon's former life affect how he viewed the ministry of the Holy Spirit? What is the Spirit's role in the spreading of the gospel? How does Simon warn us about infatuation with the miraculous in our ministry today?
5. Why did the apostles need to come to Samaria? What does this have to do with the theme of Acts?
6. What scroll was the Ethiopian eunuch reading? Did he understand it? Why or why not? How does God use Philip to provide hope for understanding?
7. Does the Old Testament hold value for believers today? How? Should we unhitch the New Testament from the Old? Why not?
8. How does your weekly ministry depend on the Holy Spirit? What are you doing that would fail if the Spirit of God was not in it? Can a genuine believer lose the Holy Spirit today?
9. Do you think baptisms should be spontaneous in our American culture? Why or why not? Do you find Philip's miraculous transportation to be confusing? Why do you think God transported him so quickly?
10. When was the last time God called you to do something uncomfortable or confusing? How did you respond? Where do you see God work in the uncertainty of life?

Key Words/Phrase

Christ, vv. 4, 5, 12, 25, 35, 40.

Characters

God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Saul, Stephen, Philip, Simon, apostles, Peter, John, angels, Ethiopian, Isaiah.

Strong Verse(s)

4, 20, 37.