The last offer to the nation of Israel had been completely rejected, so now the gospel is sent to the Gentiles. This is accomplished by allowing a great persecution against the believers in Jerusalem. As a result, they were scattered everywhere, taking the gospel with them. Now in the city of Samaria, there was a magician named Simon, who fooled all the people with his magic. From the least to the greatest, they thought that Simon was the great power of God. However, when Philip preached about God and Jesus Christ, Simon professed faith and was baptized. When the Lord was here, “many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles which He did.” They couldn’t deny the miracles, but they wouldn’t confess their sins and receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour (John 2:23-2523Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. 24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man. (John 2:23‑25)). It was so with Simon. He knew the miracles were real, but his heart was unrepentant. The Apostle Peter knew this and told Simon, “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” What God has to offer is “without money and without price.”
Next, Philip is told to speak to one individual in a desert. God knew that there was a seeking person who needed the Saviour. This Ethiopian man had great responsibilities, but there was a void in his heart. He had obtained a copy of the Scriptures and was reading Isaiah 53 when Philip joined his chariot. This chapter speaks of Jesus, and when it was explained to the eunuch, he believed it in his heart. The void he had was filled and he went on his way rejoicing. Philip’s mission in the desert was accomplished and he was caught away to serve the Lord elsewhere, before coming to his home in Cæsarea. How wonderfully the Lord directed and used this evangelist!
1. What did the disciples do when they were ____________ abroad everywhere? Acts 8:___
Therefore
2. From the least to the ____________ , what did the people of Samaria say about Simon? Acts 8:___
To
3. How did Simon think that he could obtain the ____________ of God?
Acts 8:___
But
4. Where was the Ethiopian eunuch reading when ____________ ran thither to him? Acts 8:___
And
5. After the eunuch was baptized and Philip was ____________ away, what did the eunuch do? Acts 8:___
And