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 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. |
8
8:1 At that time there was great persecution against the Church - Their adversaries having tasted blood, were the more eager. And they were all dispersed - Not all the Church: if so, who would have remained for the apostles to teach, or Saul to persecute? But all the teachers except the apostles, who, though in the most danger, stayed with the flock.
8:2 Devout men - Who feared God more than persecution. And yet were they not of little faith? Else they would not have made so great lamentation.
8:3 Saul made havoc of the Church - Like some furious beast of prey.So the Greek word properly signifies. Men and women - Regarding neither age nor sex.
8:4 Therefore they that were dispersed went every where - These very words are reassumed, after as it were a long parenthesis, Act 11:19, and the thread of the story continued.
8:5 Stephen - Being taken away, Philip, his next colleague, (not the apostle,) rises in his place.
8:9 A certain man - using magic - So there was such a thing as witchcraft once! In Asia at least, if not in Europe or America.
8:12 But when they believed - What Philip preached, then they saw and felt the real power of God, and submitted thereto.
8:13 And Simon believed - That is, was convinced of the truth.
8:14 And the apostles hearing that Samaria - The inhabitants of that country, had received the word of God - By faith, sent Peter and John - He that sends must be either superior, or at least equal, to him that is sent. It follows that the college of the apostles was equal if not superior to Peter.
8:15 The Holy Ghost - In his miraculous gifts? Or his sanctifying graces? Probably in both.
8:18 Simon offered them money - And hence the procuring any ministerial function, or ecclesiastical benefice by money, is termed Simony.
8:21 Thou hast neither part - By purchase, nor lot - Given gratis, in this matter - This gift of God. For thy heart is not right before God - Probably St. Peter discerned this long before he had declared it; although it does not appear that God gave to any of the apostles a universal power of discerning the hearts of all they conversed with; any more than a universal power of healing all the sick they came near. This we are sure St. Paul had not; though he was not inferior to the chief of the apostles.Otherwise he would not have suffered the illness of Epaphroditus to have brought him so near to death, Php 2:25-27; nor have left so useful a fellow labourer as Trophimus sick at Miletus, Ti2 4:20.
8:22 Repent - if perhaps the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee - Without all doubt if he had repented, he would have been forgiven. The doubt was, whether he would repent. Thou art in the gall of bitterness - In the highest degree of wickedness, which is bitterness, that is, misery to the soul; and in the bond of iniquity - Fast bound therewith.