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Acts 8

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.

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

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.

And there was great joy in that city.

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:

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

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.

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

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.

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.

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,

Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

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.

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:

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

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?

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.

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.

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.

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

What does Acts 8:39 mean?

Explanation

Acts 8:39 describes the miraculous moment following Philip's baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch.

After baptizing the eunuch, Philip is supernaturally taken away by the Spirit of the Lord, and the eunuch does not see him anymore.

Despite the sudden disappearance of Philip, the eunuch continues on his journey with joy.

This verse illustrates the immediate and transformative effect of the Holy Spirit after the reception of the gospel and its ordinances. It demonstrates the joy that comes from faith and salvation, as well as the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit in the early Christian church.

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Historical Context

The Book of Acts was written by Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke, and it serves as a sequel to the life of Jesus Christ.

Acts outlines the early days of the Christian church following Christ's resurrection and ascension.

The Ethiopian eunuch represents an early example of the gospel reaching beyond Jewish communities into the wider, Gentile world.

The eunuch's high position as an official in charge of the queen of Ethiopia's treasury suggests that Christianity began to penetrate different strata of society.

The act of baptism signifies the individual's acknowledgement of Jesus' teachings and the acceptance of a new religious identity.

Theological Insights

Different Christian traditions may interpret this verse and its miraculous elements in various ways.

Some see this moment as a literal, divine intervention where God directly and miraculously transported Philip to another location.

Others may understand it as symbolic of the swift movement of the Holy Spirit working through the church.

The joy of the eunuch may be viewed as an indication of the inner peace and contentment that accompanies salvation and the reception of the Christian message.

Practical Applications

This verse demonstrates the importance of witnessing and spreading faith.

It shows believers that their efforts can have immediate and positive impacts on individuals, even if they do not stay to see the long-term results.

The eunuch's joy suggests that a genuine encounter with faith can be deeply fulfilling and cause for personal rejoicing.

The abrupt departure of Philip reminds Christians that their role is to serve God's purpose and then move on as the Spirit leads.

Cross-References

Acts 8:38: "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."
John 3:5: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Matthew 28:19-20: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
1 Peter 1:8-9: "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

Language Study

Two key Greek words in this verse are noteworthy:

ἥρπασεν (hērpasen) - Translated as "caught away," this word is from the Greek verb "harpazō," which means "to seize" or "to catch up." It suggests a powerful or forceful action by the Spirit of the Lord.
χαίρων (chairōn) - Translated as "rejoicing," this word derives from the Greek verb "chairō," meaning "to be glad" or "rejoice." It indicates the eunuch's state of great joy and delight.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Miraculous transport, similar to what is described in Acts 8:39, finds parallels in other ancient myths and religious texts.

For instance, in ancient Greek mythology, gods and heroes are sometimes described as being instantly transported by divine forces.

In Hindu mythology, similar occurrences of divine intervention take place, where deities transport devotees or manifest in miraculous ways.

This kind of thematic similarity suggests a human fascination with the miraculous and divine intervention transcending individual cultures and religions.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the concept of someone being "caught away" instantaneously without any physical means is not supported by our current understanding of physics.

Most scientists would likely consider such an event to be impossible according to the known laws of nature.

However, the verse is usually taken by believers on the basis of faith and understood as a supernatural phenomenon beyond the scope of science.

Commentaries

Commentators have varied in their analysis of this verse.

Some, like Matthew Henry, see it as a literal historical event that emphasizes God's miraculous power in the early church.

Others, such as the Expositor's Bible Commentary, might suggest that the Spirit's action in taking Philip away is indicative of the surprising and immediate ways God can work through those who serve Him.

Contemporary scholars might also delve into the symbolism of both the baptism and Philip’s disappearance, seeing them as illustrative of the transformative power of the gospel message in individual lives and across cultures.

Acts 8

Acts 8

What does Acts 8:39 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 8:39 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?