Study 18. Acts 8:4-25
1. Questions 1 and 5 will help you compare the two episodes in 8:4-25 and 8:26-40. a. In 8:4-25, who is evangelized, convinced, and baptized? The Samaritans, and Simon Magus b. What do the Jews think of these people (see John 4:9)? Jews "have no dealings" with them c. How is this group’s conversion significant to the progress of the gospel? (Recall who has been converted up to now.) Only Jews and proselytes (2:11). The conversion of the Samaritans is both a fulfilment of prophecy (1:8) as well as the start of the church's mission to the world. "the story may be seen as a step towards the greater problem of bringing Jews and Gentiles together" (Marshall) d. What convinces this group to become believers (see 8:6-8,12)? e. What is the apostles’ role in bringing this group into the church (see 8:14-17)? The crowds "heard" Philip and "saw the signs that he did": the casting out of demons and the healing of the sick. The apostles sen...