Note to teacher: This teaching idea is designed to give students a brief overview of Acts 8, leaving more time to study Acts 9–10, which are pivotal in understanding the rest of the New Testament. Suggestions for Teaching Acts 8:5–40 Philip, Peter, and John Ministered in Samaria Herod (Agrippa I) killed James the brother of John and placed Peter in prison. Barnabas and Saul labored in Antioch (in Syria), where Church members were first called Christians. Acts 11Īt Jerusalem, Peter recounted his vision to Jewish members of the Church. Peter taught Cornelius and his household about Jesus Christ they experienced the power of the Holy Ghost and were baptized. At Joppa, Peter received a revelation instructing him to accept Gentiles into the Church. Acts 10Īt Caesarea, an angel instructed Cornelius to send for Peter. Peter healed Aeneas and raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead.

Saul preached of Christ and fled when Jews in Damascus sought to kill him.

At the Lord’s direction, Ananias sought out Saul, restored his eyesight, and baptized him.

Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus. The Lord directed Philip to Gaza, where he baptized a man from Ethiopia. Peter rebuked Simon, a sorcerer, who sought to purchase the priesthood. Peter and John gave the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. In Samaria, Philip preached, baptized, and performed many miracles. Despite growing opposition, Church leaders pressed forward to take the gospel “unto the uttermost part of the earth” ( Acts 1:8). The Lord also gave Peter, as leader of the Church, a vision directing him to accept Gentiles into the Church (see Acts 10–11). Acts 9 recounts the conversion of Saul, who would become an Apostle and a powerful missionary to the Gentiles. In Acts 8 we read about Philip, one of the seven leaders called to assist the Twelve (see Acts 6:5), who taught and baptized many Samaritans and a man from Ethiopia (see Acts 8:5–7, 12, 26–40). Up to this point, the book of Acts recounts the Church’s growth among Jews in Jerusalem and Judea. Acts 8–12 describes the beginning of this worldwide expansion of the early Christian Church. He also foretold that the Apostles’ ministry would begin in Jerusalem, spread throughout Judea and Samaria, and finally go “unto the uttermost part of the earth” ( Acts 1:8). After His Resurrection, Jesus Christ commanded His Apostles to teach and baptize people in every nation (see Matthew 28:19–20 Mark 16:15–16).

Saul later