Charles Spurgeon Commentary Acts 8
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Acts 8
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Acts 8
Commentary Groups
This author has written multiple commentaries over their lifetime on this chapter. We have grouped their commentaries for easier reading."And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles." — Acts 8:1 (ASV)
Saul, having tasted blood in the murder of Stephen, became more and more furious in his persecution of the Church of Christ at Jerusalem, and the believers had to escape for their lives. They all did so, except the apostles, who were specially cared for by divine providence.
"And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him." — Acts 8:2 (ASV)
As well they might, for his death was a serious loss to the Church. He was one of the best workers for Christ of that day; and when he was put to death in this way by the judicial murder of stoning, the devout men who were spared to mourn his loss made great lamentation over him.
"But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison." — Acts 8:3 (ASV)
At first, we can hardly believe that this was the very man who afterwards became the greatest preacher of the gospel and the builder of the Church of Christ, but it was indeed so. He was always earnest in whatever he did. When he persecuted, he did it with all his might; and when he became converted, then he preached with all his might. He was a thoroughgoing man. I like these thoroughgoing men; they are worth saving. When they are converted, they bring great glory to God. The next verse tells us one effect of the havoc caused by Saul:
"They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word." — Acts 8:4 (ASV)
Therefore those who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.
They might have stopped at Jerusalem and made a comfortable and strong church there, if they had not been persecuted; but, being scattered abroad, they were like seed in every furrow of the field: they went everywhere preaching the word.
Now, out of this church, there is a continual drain of brothers and sisters who leave their native land to go to distant colonies; such are the exigencies of the times that many have to go abroad. I charge you, wherever you go, carry the holy seed with you. Be yourselves a seed for Christ in every land.
"They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word. And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ. And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did." — Acts 8:4-6 (ASV)
Therefore those who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them. And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
We cannot tell how far the soil had been prepared for the sowing of the gospel seed by our Lord's visit to Sychar, a city of Samaria.
The influence of the converts in that place may have inclined the people of the city of Samaria to give more heed to the preaching of Philip. The work of a great and good man may seem sometimes to die out, but its effects remain, and extend beyond the place where he laboured.
Jump to: