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Scripture Mapping

Key Events — Acts 8

4 events

  1. Persecution and the Scattering of the Church

    Following the martyrdom of Stephen, a great persecution arises against the church in Jerusalem, leading to the scattering of believers throughout Judea and Samaria.

    Theological significance

    This event highlights the sovereignty of God in using persecution to spread the Gospel beyond Jerusalem, fulfilling Jesus' command in Acts 1:8.

    In the broader story

    The scattering of believers leads to the spread of the Gospel to new regions, demonstrating the unstoppable nature of God's mission.

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  2. Philip in Samaria

    Philip, one of the scattered believers, preaches the Gospel in Samaria, leading to many conversions and the performance of signs and wonders.

    Theological significance

    This event shows the breaking down of ethnic barriers as the Gospel reaches the Samaritans, fulfilling Jesus' inclusive mission.

    In the broader story

    Philip's ministry in Samaria is a precursor to the inclusion of Gentiles into the church, as seen later in Acts.

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  3. Simon the Sorcerer

    Simon, a sorcerer in Samaria, believes and is baptized, but later attempts to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, leading to Peter's rebuke.

    Theological significance

    This event underscores the importance of genuine faith and the danger of attempting to manipulate God's gifts for personal gain.

    In the broader story

    Simon's story serves as a warning against false conversions and the misuse of spiritual gifts.

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  4. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

    Philip is led by the Spirit to meet an Ethiopian eunuch, who is reading Isaiah. Philip explains the Gospel, leading to the eunuch's conversion and baptism.

    Theological significance

    This event highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding evangelism and the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus Christ.

    In the broader story

    The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch signifies the Gospel's reach to the ends of the earth, as prophesied in Isaiah.

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In the order the chapter tells them. The corpus records sequence, not dates — biblical chronology is contested, and this does not take a position on it.

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