Verse 1: “And it came about in those days a great persecution upon the church. And all were (thoroughly) scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, everyone except the Apostles.”

Those days: In the days of Stephen’s death.

Great persecution: Instigated by Saul

Scattered: The believers had all been concentrated in Jerusalem, but now they were all over

Israel. The Apostles remained within Jerusalem.´

Verse 2: “Godly men were carrying Stephen and they made a great lamentation on his behalf.”

Carrying Stephen: The implication is that they buried him.

Verse 3: “And Saul was devastating the church. Each house entering into it, and dragging out both men and women to deliver them to prison.”

In the last days there is going to be a time of a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit again. However, there is also going to come a great time of persecution for believers.

Verse 4: “Therefore the ones who were scattered went out and were evangelising the Word.”

Therefore: As an outcome of this time of persecution.

Evangelising: Preaching the good news of redemption.

The Word: This word relates to a blueprint. They were teaching about the plans and purposes of God.

Verse 5: “Philip went down into a city of Samaria and he proclaimed to them the Messiah.”

Samaria: A place known for idolatry, also linked to the occult and demonic influence.

Proclaimed: To announce with authority and power.

Messiah: Associated with being King. He is going to usher in a new Kingdom and rule.

Verse 6: “The crowd paid attention to what was being said by Philip. In one accord they were able to hear and see the signs which he was doing.”

Crowd paid attention: They carefully observed what Philip said for the purpose of understanding, and for the purpose of interacting with/receiving what was said.

In one accord: When the Word of God is proclaimed with authority it brings about unity.

Note: In the book of Acts there is a unity between the preaching of the Word of God and signs and wonders taking place. The primary purpose of these miracles was to confirm the truth of what was being proclaimed.

Verse 7: “For many, having unclean spirits, were crying out with a loud voice and they were coming out. Many of those who were paralysed, and lame, were healed.

Unclean spirits: The Word of God is, first and foremost, against demonic influence. The gospel rids us of unclean spirits as they bring disorder/chaos into our lives.

Paralysed, and lame: People who cannot walk, or who cannot walk properly. (A picture of those who are not living a proper lifestyle – one which is rooted in faith, Colossians 2v6) The purpose of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to bring about a proper lifestyle, one where we walk in truth.

Verse 8: “And there came about a great joy in that city.”

A great joy: What started off as a great persecution God turned into a great joy. Sin will not thwart the programme of God. God does not cause sin, but he can use it to for good.

Verse 9: “There was a certain man named Simon who previously had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria. Saying himself that he was someone great.”

Practiced sorcery: Simon used either the occult, or was an illusionist, in order to give the impression that he was someone great.

Someone great: Simon earned money from this and he liked money, but, even more than money, he liked people thinking he was great.

This is rooted in pride and rebellion toward God (Matthew 5v16 – when people see our good works it should cause them to praise God and not us. The objective of a servant of God is not to make oneself great, but to make God great). Insecurity and humility are not the same things. Insecurity is, often, connected to pride.