Acts 8 describes several key events and people. Saul made "havoc" of the early church by persecuting believers. Meanwhile, the disciples used every opportunity to spread the gospel, preaching even when scattered. Some people, like the Samaritans and Simon the sorcerer, experienced dramatic conversions despite being unlikely prospects. Simon later tried to obtain the Holy Spirit through money rather than faith. The Ethiopian eunuch sought Philip's help to understand scripture and was baptized immediately upon learning the truth. The chapter shows how people responded differently to the spreading gospel message.

1. Detailed Study on The Book Of Acts
COACH Institute of Intercultural Studies
Hyderabad

2. Book of Acts
Chapter 8

3. Acts 8
 Begins a new thought in the book
 Acts 1-7 Gospel inJerusalem
 Acts 8-12 Gospel inJudea and Samaria
 Gospel is spreading beyond Jerusalem
 A transition chapter
 Several key characters / players
 Saul (vv. 1-3)
 Disciples (vv. 1-3)
 Philip (v. 5)
 Samaritans (vv. 5-12)
 Simon (vv. 13-25)
 Peter (v. 20)
 Ethiopian Eunuch (vv. 26-40)
These People
Stand Out For
Doing Different
Things

4. Things
Some
People
Do
Acts 8

5. Things Some People Do
I. Some Make Havoc of the Church

6. I. Some Make Havoc of the Church
A. Saul made havoc of the church (v. 3)
1. “Havoc” – lay waste t0 ruin
“This word is commonly applied to wild beasts, to lions,
wolves, etc., and denotes the ‘devastations’ which they
commit. Saul raged against the church like a wild beast-a
strong expression, denoting the zeal and fury with which he
engaged in persecution.”
- Albert Barnes
“The word elumaineto (NT:3075), from lumainoo, to destroy,
devastate, ravage, signifies the act of ferocious animals, such
as bears, wolves, and the like, in seeking and devouring their
prey.”
- Adam Clarke

7. "to dishonor, defile, devastate, ruin."
- A.T. Robertson

8. I. Some Make Havoc of the Church
A. Saul made havoc of the church (v. 3)
1. “Havoc” – lay waste t0 ruin
2. Did so by what he did to the men & women of the church
3. Sought to destroy the faith (Gal. 1:13, 23, ASV “havoc”)

9. Things Some People Do
I. Some Make Havoc of the Church
II. Some Use Every Opportunity

10. II. Some Use Every Opportunity
A. Disciples used every opportunity to teach
1. When scattered – went everywhere preaching (v. 4)
2. Peter andJohn – spread word on way home (v. 25)
3. Philip used occasion of a man reading to teach (vv. 30-35)
4. Philip preached in all the cities he passed (v. 40)

11. II. Some Use Every Opportunity
A. Disciples used every opportunity to teach
B. We should use every opportunity
1. To teach the lost (Mark 16:15-16)
2. To restore erring (Gal. 6:1;Jas. 5:19-20)
3. To encourage the weak (1Thess. 5:14)
4. To warn the unfaithful (1Thess. 5:14)
5. To teach our children (Deut. 6:7, 20-25)
6. To do good (Gal. 6:10)

12. II. Some Use Every Opportunity
Are you using every
opportunity?

13. Things Some People Do
I. Some Make Havoc of the Church
II. Some Use Every Opportunity
III. Some Make Dramatic Changes

14. III. Some Make Dramatic Changes
A. Cases of conversion – unlikely prospects
1. Samaritans (vv. 5-12)
a. Samaritans – mixed race – no dealings with Jews
(John 4:9)
b. Polluted worship (mixed worship of one God with idol
worship - 2 Kings 17:29).
c. When converted – dramatic change!

15. III. Some Make Dramatic Changes
A. Cases of conversion – unlikely prospects
1. Samaritans (vv. 5-12)
2. Simon (vv. 9-11, 13)
a. Was a sorcerer (v. 9)
b. Was a religious leader (v. 10)
c. Been at this a long time (v. 11)
d. When converted – complete turn around!

16. III. Some Make Dramatic Changes
A. Cases of conversion – unlikely prospects
1. Samaritans (vv. 5-12)
2. Simon (vv. 9-11, 13)
3. Ethiopian Eunuch (vv. 26-40)
a. Was an Ethiopian (v. 27)
b. Was Queen’s treasurer - man of great authority (v. 27)
c. Was religious – thought he was right (v. 28)

17. Things Some People Do
I. Some Make Havoc of the Church
II. Some Use Every Opportunity
III. Some Make Dramatic Changes
IV.SomeTry to Get RightThings theWrong Way

18. IV. SomeTry to Get RightThings theWrong Way
A. Simon tried to get the Holy Spirit with money
1. Witnessed the power of the apostles (vv. 13, 17)
2. Wanted the same (v. 18)
3. Offered them money to get it (vv. 18-19)
4. Wrong way to get it (v. 20)
5. Wanted what was only for the apostles (v.21)

19. IV. SomeTry to Get RightThings theWrong Way
A. Simon tried to get the Holy Spirit with money
B. Often we try to get right things the wrong way
1. Live Christian life without obeying gospel
2. Knowledge with shallow study
3. Spirituality without effort
4. Influence a sinner with compromise
5. Godly children without emphasis on spiritual

20. Things Some People Do
I. Some Make Havoc of the Church
II. Some Use Every Opportunity
III. Some Make Dramatic Changes
IV.SomeTry to Get RightThings theWrong Way
V. Some FallAway

21. V. Some FallAway
A. After becoming a Christian, Simon sinned and endangered
his soul
1. Actions were wicked (v. 22)
2. Bound up in iniquity (v. 23)
3. Thoughts were wrong (v. 22)
4. Would perish if didn’t repent (v. 20)

22. Things Some People Do
I. Some Make Havoc of the Church
II. Some Use Every Opportunity
III. Some Make Dramatic Changes
IV.SomeTry to Get RightThings theWrong Way
V. Some FallAway
VI.Some Are Restored

23. VI. Some Are Restored
A. Simon was soon restored
1. He was made to realize his sin & lost condition (vv. 20-23)
2. He was told to repent & pray (v. 22)
3. Asked Peter to pray for him (v. 24)

24. VI. Some Are Restored
Do you need to be
restored?

25. Things Some People Do
I. Some Make Havoc of the Church
II. Some Use Every Opportunity
III. Some Make Dramatic Changes
IV.SomeTry to Get RightThings theWrong Way
V. Some FallAway
VI.Some Are Restored
VII.Some Seek Help Understanding

26. VII.Some Seek Help Understanding
A. The eunuch sought help in understanding the text
1. Asked, “How can I unless someone guides me?” (v.31)
2. Raised questions about what text meant (v. 34)
3. Attitude / heart was willing to learn (v. 36)

27. Things Some People Do
I. Some Make Havoc of the Church
II. Some Use Every Opportunity
III. Some Make Dramatic Changes
IV.SomeTry to Get RightThings theWrong Way
V. Some FallAway
VI.Some Are Restored
VII.Some Seek Help Understanding
VIII.Some Act Immediately

28. VIII.Some Act Immediately
A. Each of the cases of conversion – acted immediately
1. Samaritans – when they believed (v. 12)
2. Simon – believed and was baptized (v. 13)
3. Eunuch – asked what hinders me? (v. 36)

29. Are you ready to act
today?
What hinders you?
VIII.Some Act Immediately

30. Things Some People Do
I. Some Make Havoc of the Church
II. Some Use Every Opportunity
III. Some Make Dramatic Changes
IV.SomeTry to Get RightThings theWrong Way
V. Some FallAway
VI.Some Are Restored
VII.Some Seek Help Understanding
VIII.Some Act Immediately