Acts 8

(note: I wrote about the wrong chapter! Still, I put a bit of work into it, so I'm not going to delete it... Pete)

Acts 8:1 and Saul was there, giving approval to his death.

I've always found it odd that this verse was 8:1, instead of 7:61. It just doesn't seem to fit in this place. Does anyone know why?

Anyway, consider the importance of this verse. On first reading, it's pretty obvious; Saul was there. The first appearance of one of the greatest christian preachers and writers. And he condoned a murder.

Looking in more depth, the book of Acts was written by Luke; Luke spent a lot of time traveling with Paul, and I'm sure that this verse would not have made it in if Paul had objected. Matthew Henry (Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible) believes that Paul insisted on this verse being present to shame himself, and to give glory to God's grace. Even more, the Greek word used for 'giving approval', suneudokōn, actually translates to 'consented with delight'; Paul enjoyed the spectacle (He always regretted it, and never forgot; see Acts 22:10).

The murder of Stephen was Sauls first great act in spreading the word, by being a main instigator of the Christian persecution.

Acts 8:1 ... and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria"

This scattering of early Christians ensured that God's word would not be restricted to Jerusalem and the local area, but would be spread far and wide, fulfilling Jesus' command;

Acts 1:8 ... and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Philip and The Ethiopian
Acts 8:28 - 40 talks about Philip meeting an Ethopian eunuch. The important aspect of the story (for me) is that it shows that the Gospel is for all men. Being an Ethiopian, he was looked down upon by the Israelites as " meanest and most despicable of the nations, blackamoors, as if nature had stigmatized them" (Henry) - this despite the man holding a high position of office. The Ethiopian was looking for God. As a eunuch, he wasn't permitted to become a Jew, but he was obviously a religious man, as can be seen from his visiting Jerusalem from Ethiopia just to worship. Philip was able to explain who Jesus was through the prophecies of Isaiah, and subsequently baptized the man as a Christian; proving that you didn't have to be a Jew to become a Christian.

The scripture ends with Philip miraculously disappearing from the river and reappearing at Azotus, impressing upon us that the need to spread God's word is urgent, and that we should be continually prepared and willing to be witnesses.