Acts 8:1
Verse
Context
Sermons
Henry Blackaby
George Verwer
Jim Cymbala
J.M. DaviesGeorge Verwer
Glenn MeldrumSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Saul was consenting unto his death - So inveterate was the hatred that this man bore to Christ and his followers that he delighted in their destruction. So blind was his heart with superstitious zeal that he thought he did God service by offering him the blood of a fellow creature, whose creed he supposed to be erroneous. The word συνευδοκων signifies gladly consenting, being pleased with his murderous work! How dangerous is a party spirit; and how destructive may zeal even for the true worship of God prove, if not inspired and regulated by the spirit of Christ! It has already been remarked that this clause belongs to the conclusion of the preceding chapter; so it stands in the Vulgate, and so it should stand in every version. There was a great persecution - The Jews could not bear the doctrine of Christ's resurrection; for this point being proved demonstrated his innocence and their enormous guilt in his crucifixion; as therefore the apostles continued to insist strongly on the resurrection of Christ, the persecution against them became hot and general. They were all scattered abroad - except the apostles - Their Lord had commanded them, when persecuted in one city, to flee to another: this they did, but, wherever they went, they proclaimed the same doctrines, though at the risk and hazard of their lives. It is evident, therefore, that they did not flee from persecution, or the death it threatened; but merely in obedience to their Lord's command. Had they fled through the fear of death, they would have taken care not to provoke persecution to follow them, by continuing to proclaim the same truths that provoked it in the first instance. That the apostles were not also exiled is a very remarkable fact: they continued in Jerusalem, to found and organize the infant Church; and it is marvellous that the hand of persecution was not permitted to touch them. Why this should be we cannot tell; but so it pleased the great Head of the Church. Bp. Pearce justly suspects those accounts, in Eusebius and others, that state that the apostles went very shortly after Christ's ascension into different countries, preaching and founding Churches. He thinks this is inconsistent with the various intimations we have of the continuance of the apostles in Jerusalem; and refers particularly to the following texts: Act 8:1, Act 8:14, Act 8:25; Act 9:26, Act 9:27; Act 11:1, Act 11:2; Act 12:1-4; Act 15:2, Act 15:4, Act 15:6, Act 15:22, Act 15:23; Act 21:17, Act 21:18; Gal 1:17-19; Gal 2:1, Gal 2:9. The Church at Jerusalem was the first Christian Church; and consequently, the boast of the Church of Rome is vain and unfounded. From this time a new era of the Church arose. Hitherto the apostles and disciples confined their labors among their countrymen in Jerusalem. Now persecution drove the latter into different parts of Judea, and through Samaria; and those who had received the doctrine of Christ at the pentecost, who had come up to Jerusalem from different countries to be present at the feast, would naturally return, especially at the commencement of the persecution, to their respective countries, and proclaim to their countrymen the Gospel of the grace of God. To effect this grand purpose, the Spirit was poured out at the day of pentecost; that the multitudes from different quarters, partaking of the word of life, might carry it back to the different nations among whom they had their residence. One of the fathers has well observed, that "these holy fugitives were like so many lamps, lighted by the fire of the Holy Spirit, spreading every where the sacred flame by which they themselves had been illuminated."
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
In these verses we have, I. Something more concerning Stephen and his death; how people stood affected to it - variously, as generally in such cases, according to men's different sentiments of things. Christ had said to his disciples, when he was parting with them (Joh 16:20), You shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice. Accordingly here is, 1. Stephen's death rejoiced in by one - by many, no doubt, but by one in particular, and that was Saul, who was afterwards called Paul; he was consenting to his death, suneudokōn - he consented to it with delight (so the word signifies); he was pleased with it. He fed his eyes with this bloody spectacle, in hopes it would put a stop to the growth of Christianity. We have reason to think that Paul ordered Luke to insert this, for shame to himself, and glory to free grace. Thus he owns himself guilty of the blood of Stephen, and aggravates it with this, that he did not do it with regret and reluctancy, but with delight and a full satisfaction, like those who not only do such things, but have pleasure in those that do them. 2. Stephen's death bewailed by others (Act 8:2) - devout men, which some understand of those that were properly so called, proselytes, one of whom Stephen himself probably was. Or, it may be taken more largely; some of the church that were more devout and zealous than the rest went and gathered up the poor crushed and broken remains, to which they gave a decent interment, probably in the field of blood, which was bought some time ago to bury strangers in. They buried him solemnly, and made great lamentation over him. Though his death was of great advantage to himself, and great service to the church, yet they bewailed it as a general loss, so well qualified was he for the service, and so likely to be useful both as a deacon and as a disputant. It is a bad symptom if, when such men are taken away, it is not laid to heart. Those devout men paid these their last respects to Stephen, (1.) To show that they were not ashamed of the cause for which he suffered, nor afraid of the wrath of those that were enemies to it; for, though they now triumph, the cause is a righteous cause, and will be at last a victorious one. (2.) To show the great value and esteem they had for this faithful servant of Jesus Christ, this first martyr for the gospel, whose memory shall always be precious to them, notwithstanding the ignominy of his death. They study to do honour to him upon whom God put honour. (3.) To testify their belief and hope of the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. II. An account of this persecution of the church, which begins upon the martyrdom of Stephen. When the fury of the Jews ran with such violence, and to such a height, against Stephen, it could not quickly either stop itself or spend itself. The bloody are often in scripture called blood-thirsty; for when they have tasted blood they thirst for more. One would have thought Stephen's dying prayers and dying comforts should have overcome them, and melted them into a better opinion of Christians and Christianity; but it seems they did not: the persecution goes on; for they were more exasperated when they saw they could prevail nothing, and, as if they hoped to be too hard for God himself, they resolve to follow their blow; and perhaps, because they were none of them struck dead upon the place for stoning Stephen, their hearts were the more fully set in them to do evil. Perhaps the disciples were also the more emboldened to dispute against them as Stephen did, seeing how triumphantly he finished his course, which would provoke them so much the more. Observe, 1. Against whom this persecution was raised: It was against the church in Jerusalem, which is no sooner planted than it is persecuted, as Christ often intimated that tribulation and persecution would arise because of the word. And Christ had particularly foretold that Jerusalem would soon be made too hot for his followers, for that city had been famous for killing the prophets and stoning those that were sent to it, Mat 23:37. It should seem that in this persecution many were put to death, for Paul owns that at this time he persecuted this way unto the death (Act 21:4), and (Act 26:10) that when they were put to death he gave his voice against them. 2. Who was an active man in it; none so zealous, so busy, as Saul, a young Pharisee, Act 8:3. As for Saul (who had been twice mentioned before, and now again for a notorious persecutor) he made havoc of the church; he did all he could to lay it waste and ruin it; he cared not what mischief he did to the disciples of Christ, nor knew when to stop. He aimed at no less than the cutting off of the gospel Israel, that the name of it should be no more in remembrance, Psa 83:4. He was the fittest tool the chief priests could find out to serve their purposes; he was informer-general against the disciples, a messenger of the great council to be employed in searching for meetings, and seizing all that were suspected to favour that way. Saul was bred a scholar, a gentleman, and yet did not think it below him to be employed in the vilest work of that kind. (1.) He entered into every house, making no difficulty of breaking open doors, night or day, and having a force attending him for that purpose. He entered into every house where they used to hold their meetings, or every house that had any Christians in it, or was thought to have. No man could be secure in his own house, though it was his castle. (2.) He haled, with the utmost contempt and cruelty, both men and women, dragged them along the streets, without any regard to the tenderness of the weaker sex; he stooped so low as to take cognizance of the meanest that were leavened with the gospel, so extremely bigoted was he. (3.) He committed them to prison, in order to their being tried and put to death, unless they would renounce Christ; and some, we find, were compelled by him to blaspheme, Act 26:11. 3. What was the effect of this persecution: They were all scattered abroad (Act 8:1), not all the believers, but all the preachers, who were principally struck at, and against whom warrants were issued out to take them up. They, remembering our Master's rule (when they persecute you in one city, flee to another), dispersed themselves by agreement throughout the regions of Judea and of Samaria; not so much for fear of sufferings (for Judea and Samaria were not so far off from Jerusalem but that, if they made a public appearance there, as they determined to do, their persecutors' power would soon reach them there), but because they looked upon this as an intimation of Providence to them to scatter. Their work was pretty well done in Jerusalem, and now it was time to think of the necessities of other places; for their Master had told them that they must be his witnesses in Jerusalem first, and then in all Judea and in Samaria, and then to the uttermost part of the earth (Act 1:8), and this method they observe. Through persecution may not drive us off from our work, yet it may send us, as a hint of Providence, to work elsewhere. The preachers were all scattered except the apostles, who, probably, were directed by the Spirit to continue at Jerusalem yet for some time, they being, by the special providence of God, screened from the storm, and by the special grace of God enabled to face the storm. They tarried at Jerusalem, that they might be ready to go where their assistance was most needed by the other preachers that were sent to break the ice; as Christ ordered his disciples to go to those places where he himself designed to go, Luk 10:1. The apostles continued longer together at Jerusalem than one would have thought, considering the command and commission given them, to go into all the world, and to disciple all nations. See Act 15:6; Gal 1:17. But what was done by the evangelists whom they sent forth was reckoned as done by them.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
8:1-4 Saul: Cp. 9:1-2; 22:4; 26:9-11; Gal 1:13-14. The result of this great wave of persecution was that all the believers . . . were scattered. Rather than having their enthusiasm dampened, however, they simply spread the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
Acts 8:1
Saul Persecutes the Church
1And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.2God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Evangelism Conference - Part 4
By Henry Blackaby1.7K48:39ISA 55:8MAT 28:19LUK 24:45ACT 1:8ACT 8:1ACT 9:31ACT 11:19In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of responding to God's message and the role it plays in the lives of others. He encourages the congregation to prepare themselves for a worthy response to God's word. The speaker also highlights the significance of music in expressing our response to God even after the meeting is over. He then references the book of Luke, where Jesus opened the minds of his disciples to understand the scriptures. The speaker emphasizes the need for the Holy Spirit to open our minds to the scriptures and emphasizes the importance of studying the word of God.
(The Book of Acts) Session 08
By George Verwer1.3K00:00EvangelismThe Role of the Holy SpiritActsACT 8:1George Verwer explores Acts chapters 8 to 13, emphasizing the early church's growth amidst persecution, particularly focusing on the conversion of Saul (Paul) and the evangelistic efforts of Philip. He highlights the importance of personal evangelism, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the significance of baptism, while also addressing the complexities of faith and the need for believers to care about the church and the unsaved. Verwer encourages a deeper understanding of the Word of God and the necessity of sharing the gospel, drawing parallels between the early church's challenges and today's spiritual climate.
The Coming of the Spirit
By Jim Cymbala1.2K38:22Holy SpiritACT 1:1ACT 4:29ACT 8:1ACT 8:14ACT 8:26ACT 10:34In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes how God uses ordinary and flawed individuals to spread His message. He highlights the example of the disciples who, despite their recent failures and lack of training, were chosen by God to represent Jesus and carry out world evangelism. The speaker also discusses the importance of God's grace in overcoming our mistakes and ordinary nature. He encourages believers to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and to stand firm in their faith, regardless of any condemnation from the devil. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that our righteousness comes from Jesus and that all power is in the Holy Spirit.
Desert Survival Series Pt 19- Moses the Servant of God
By Don Courville1.1K29:46Desert SurvivalEXO 12:13MAT 6:33ACT 8:1ACT 8:4ROM 6:18In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living under the shadow of the cross, which represents victory in Christ. He refers to Exodus chapter 12, where the Passover is described, and highlights the significance of being in the presence of God for experiencing victory. The preacher encourages believers to go out into the world and preach the gospel, rather than congregating together. He concludes by reminding the audience to let God have control over their lives and to trust in His plans.
Waiting and Looking Acts 1;
By J.M. Davies89345:25ACT 1:8ACT 8:1ACT 8:5ACT 8:14ACT 8:26In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about an old man in Bombay who was blind and used a white stick to attend worship meetings. Two English soldier boys mocked him, but the old man responded with kindness and shared his faith in Jesus Christ. The story then shifts to two boys in an English camp who were inspired by the old man's testimony and began praying together. The speaker emphasizes that our testimony for Jesus should not be hindered by our circumstances or limitations, and that witnessing for Christ is just as important outside of a formal church setting.
Reality & Paul 3
By George Verwer84556:39RealityMAT 6:33ACT 8:1ACT 14:19ACT 14:22In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding God's grace and how it pleases Him. He encourages believers to come to God with all their imperfections, knowing that He understands and loves them. The sermon then shifts to discussing the experiences of the Apostle Paul in the Book of Acts, highlighting his encounters with spiritual warfare and persecution. The preacher also mentions his own personal experience of being arrested in the Soviet Union for distributing the Word of God. The sermon concludes with a reminder of the command to go into all the world and make disciples, and the impact that spiritual revolutionaries like Paul can have in turning the world upside down.
Spiritual Leadership
By Glenn Meldrum64442:17Spiritual LeadershipMAT 6:33ACT 4:24ACT 5:3ACT 6:3ACT 8:1ACT 8:26In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being a spiritual leader worth duplicating. He encourages believers to be unashamed to say to others, "Follow me, as I follow Christ." The goal is to be a role model in how we live, walk, pray, talk, and conduct our daily business. The speaker also highlights the need for leaders to accept responsibility, both for their commitments and for receiving praise and criticism in a humble and appropriate manner. The sermon emphasizes the importance of prayer and the ministry of the word, drawing inspiration from the example of the early Church and the character of Stephen.
Culture and Persecution
By Thaddeus Barnum61432:03ACT 8:1
This sermon emphasizes the need for the church to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to face the challenges of the world. It discusses the importance of equipping all believers for ministry, breaking down the clergy-laity divide, and empowering the entire body of Christ to go out and preach the word. The speaker calls for a return to the early church's model where all believers are anointed by the Spirit for service, highlighting the need for boldness, unity, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit in the face of persecution and cultural challenges.
Our Deepest Prayer: Hallowed Be Your Name
By John Piper59945:08ECC 3:11MAT 6:9ACT 8:1EPH 1:16EPH 3:14PHP 1:9COL 1:9
This sermon emphasizes the importance of hallowing God's name and seeking His kingdom and will above all else. It delves into the significance of the Lord's Prayer, highlighting the balance between addressing personal needs and focusing on God's glory. The speaker shares personal reflections on battling sins, seeking forgiveness, and the transformative power of prayer in daily life.
On Eagles' Wings Pt 73
By Don Courville34328:05Radio ShowEXO 33:13PSA 103:7MAT 6:33ACT 4:4ACT 8:11CO 15:58JAS 4:8In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for the church to wake up and be active in their faith. He urges believers to prioritize prayer and seek a personal relationship with Jesus. The preacher also expresses a burden for pastors and a desire to encourage and support them. He highlights the importance of revival and references the early revivals in the Bible, emphasizing the need for a vision and faith in God's power to bring about a revival.
Evangelism and the Layman #1
By Ernest C. Reisinger27554:20EvangelismMAT 4:19MRK 1:41MRK 5:19MRK 6:2MRK 8:2ACT 8:11JN 1:3In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of sharing the gospel with others. He highlights the contrast between selling products and sharing the message of salvation. The speaker shares a personal experience of witnessing to a man who was initially distracted by the television but eventually cried out to God for mercy. He concludes by urging the audience to consider the power of the gospel and to pray for the Holy Spirit to work in their evangelistic efforts. The sermon encourages believers to prioritize sharing the message of grace and salvation with others.
Small Gospel Acts Still Change the World
By Matt Brown9032:32Impact of Small ActsGospelEvangelismACT 8:1Matt Brown emphasizes the significance of small gospel acts in changing the world, drawing inspiration from the story of Philip in Acts 8. He highlights that every Christian is called to share the hope of Jesus with those around them, regardless of their circumstances. Brown encourages believers to live with eternity's values in view and to be passionate about reaching those who are far from God. He illustrates how Philip's obedience to the Holy Spirit led to the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch, which ultimately impacted an entire nation. The sermon calls for Christians to recognize the power of their everyday interactions and the potential for small acts of faith to create lasting change.
A True Witness #1
By Ernest C. Reisinger5556:45Christian LifeEvangelismThe Role of LaypeopleACT 8:1Ernest C. Reisinger emphasizes the vital role of laypeople in evangelism, expressing his joy at witnessing the Spirit's work in the hearts of men. He reflects on the importance of personal relationships and the power of a holy life in witnessing, sharing his own testimony of how a layman introduced him to Christ. Reisinger challenges the misconception that evangelism is solely the responsibility of ministers, urging all believers to actively share their faith. He highlights the necessity of compassion and genuine concern for others' souls as essential qualities of a true witness. Ultimately, he calls for a collective awakening among Christians to fulfill the Great Commission.
Arise, Go to Nineveh
By Richard E. Bieber0JON 1:1MAT 16:13MAT 28:19JHN 20:21ACT 8:1Richard E. Bieber preaches on the importance of the Church embodying the confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and the need for the Church to be impactful in the world by bringing healing, hope, and the message of Jesus to those in need. He emphasizes that the Church is called to be a conquering force against the powers of darkness, not just a group surviving in a wicked world, and challenges believers to move beyond their comfort zones to proclaim Jesus to the world. Using the examples of Jonah and the early Church in Jerusalem, he illustrates how disruptions and forms of 'death' may be necessary to shake the Church out of complacency and into obedience to God's calling.
Our First Priority
By Andrew Murray0PSA 50:18ISA 9:2MRK 14:10LUK 11:48ACT 8:1ROM 1:32ROM 5:8Pastor Ray Stedman delves into the concept of 'suneudokeo,' which means to give hearty approval or consent to something, as seen in various Bible verses where individuals approve of sinful deeds. The preacher highlights the dire moral state of humanity, emphasizing the rebellion against God's ordinances and the fellowship of evil among wrongdoers. He points out that the ultimate example of giving hearty approval is seen in the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot and the psalmist's accusation of those who associate with wrongdoers. The sermon underscores the deepening darkness of society when individuals celebrate evil, leading to disaster and degeneracy, ultimately necessitating the intervention of the gospel of Jesus Christ for redemption.
Missionary Churches
By Keith Malcomson0ACT 1:8ACT 8:1ACT 11:21ACT 11:24ACT 11:26ACT 13:1ACT 14:26ROM 1:14Keith Malcomson preaches on the importance of a missionary-minded Church, using the example of the Church in Antioch from Acts 13:1-2. He emphasizes the need for local Churches to be prepared, trained, and led by the Holy Spirit to send out missionaries who are willing to sacrifice and minister to the Lord and the lost. The sermon highlights the characteristics of a pioneer, gifted, Christlike, ministering, sacrificial, supportive, and revived Church, drawing lessons from the early Church in Antioch and the missionary movements it birthed.
Stephen Your Witness
By Tom Macartney0ACT 6:8ACT 7:55ACT 7:59ACT 8:1ACT 11:19COL 3:1HEB 12:1Tom Macartney preaches about the significance of Stephen in the Bible, highlighting his role as a key witness in Acts and a vital link in God's plan, impacting Paul's life and ministry. Stephen's vision of Christ in glory and as Head of His church reveals the true nature of Christianity as God's new creation, emphasizing the importance of understanding and embracing the heavenly vision. Through Stephen's witness, we learn about the situation in the church in the New Testament and the tragic confusion in church history, urging us to be the Lord's witnesses and evaluate the quality of our own witness.
Fame, or Rejection and Persecution
By Miki Hardy0ACT 8:1ACT 17:6ACT 28:222CO 10:22CO 11:222CO 11:24GAL 1:10PHP 1:12Miki Hardy preaches about the challenges and opposition faced by those who preach the true message of the Gospel, emphasizing the need for Christians to embrace the message of the Cross and live a transformed life. He draws parallels from the lives of Moses, the prophets, Jesus, and the Early Church, highlighting how being famous for preaching the Gospel does not equate to being accepted or approved by all. Hardy stresses the importance of staying true to the message of Jesus Christ, even in the face of rejection and persecution, both from outside and within the Church.
Just Being Comfortable
By Anton Bosch0AMO 6:1ACT 8:1ROM 13:11EPH 5:14REV 3:16Anton Bosch preaches about the danger of becoming comfortable and complacent in our Christian walk, emphasizing that being at ease can lead to spiritual blindness, ineffectiveness in the Kingdom, and ultimately displeasing the Lord. He highlights examples from the Bible, such as Israel, the Church at Jerusalem, and the church at Laodicea, who faced judgment and consequences for their comfort and lack of zeal for God's work. Bosch urges believers to wake up, rekindle their passion for the Gospel, and be vigilant in fulfilling their calling, reminding them that Jesus is coming soon and will reward those who are faithful and actively serving Him.
Containing a Short Review of Former Undertakings for the Conversion
By William Carey0ACT 2:1ACT 3:1ACT 6:1ACT 8:1ACT 9:1ACT 16:6ACT 20:17ACT 28:23William Carey preaches about the spread of Christianity from the early days of the apostles to the modern missionaries, highlighting the challenges faced, the miraculous conversions, and the relentless efforts to bring the gospel to all nations. The sermon covers the growth of the church from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, the persecution faced by the apostles, the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus, the dispersion of the church, and the missionary journeys of Paul and his companions.
Acts 8
By John Nelson Darby0Persecution and EvangelismThe Role of the Holy SpiritACT 8:1John Nelson Darby discusses the pivotal events in Acts 8, focusing on Saul's persecution of Christians following Stephen's martyrdom, which marked the culmination of humanity's enmity against God. He emphasizes that while Saul sought to destroy the church, God's sovereign grace began to spread the gospel through the scattered believers, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit. The sermon highlights Philip's ministry in Samaria, where he performed miracles and preached the gospel, leading to the conversion of Simon the sorcerer and the Ethiopian eunuch. Darby notes the distinction between belief based on miracles and true faith, as well as the unique role of the apostles in imparting the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, he illustrates how God's providence uses human opposition to advance His kingdom.
The Abundant Saving Grace Despised
By John Sung0GraceHypocrisyACT 8:1John Sung emphasizes the abundant saving grace of God that is often despised, using the story of Simon the sorcerer from Acts 8 to illustrate how one can appear to believe yet remain unsaved. He highlights the importance of true repentance and the danger of hypocrisy, as seen in Simon's life, who despite witnessing miracles and being baptized, never truly accepted Christ. Sung urges believers to recognize the call to spread the Gospel beyond their immediate surroundings, as the early disciples did after persecution scattered them. He warns against the temptation to misuse God's grace for personal gain, as Simon attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, Sung calls for genuine faith that leads to salvation, rather than a superficial belief that leads to destruction.
Believing on Jesus, and Its Counterfeits
By C.H. Spurgeon0MAT 5:10JHN 15:18ACT 8:1ACT 13:50ACT 14:19ACT 22:4ROM 8:352TI 3:121PE 4:14REV 2:10John Rutherford discusses the history of persecutions faced by Christians, highlighting the inevitability of persecution due to the clash between the principles of the Roman empire and the exclusive loyalty demanded by the Christian faith. Persecution was a means of testing true discipleship, blessing, and maintaining faith in the face of trials. The persecutions endured by God's messengers, the message, and the danger of corrupting the message to avoid persecution are explored, emphasizing the need for Christians to endure persecution with faith and thanksgiving.
Homily 18 on the Acts of the Apostles
By St. John Chrysostom0JHN 21:15ACT 7:54ACT 8:1ACT 8:3ACT 8:10ACT 8:16ACT 8:18ACT 8:25John Chrysostom preaches about the importance of building churches and spreading the Gospel, emphasizing the need for believers to actively engage in the cultivation of souls and the establishment of places of worship. He highlights the significance of providing spiritual nourishment and care for the community, drawing parallels between physical and spiritual labor. Chrysostom urges individuals to prioritize the construction of churches, viewing it as a means to secure blessings, promote unity, and strengthen faith. He underscores the value of investing in the spiritual well-being of others, comparing the gathering of souls to the tending of a valuable flock, and encourages believers to actively participate in the growth and sustenance of their faith communities.
- Adam Clarke
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Saul was consenting unto his death - So inveterate was the hatred that this man bore to Christ and his followers that he delighted in their destruction. So blind was his heart with superstitious zeal that he thought he did God service by offering him the blood of a fellow creature, whose creed he supposed to be erroneous. The word συνευδοκων signifies gladly consenting, being pleased with his murderous work! How dangerous is a party spirit; and how destructive may zeal even for the true worship of God prove, if not inspired and regulated by the spirit of Christ! It has already been remarked that this clause belongs to the conclusion of the preceding chapter; so it stands in the Vulgate, and so it should stand in every version. There was a great persecution - The Jews could not bear the doctrine of Christ's resurrection; for this point being proved demonstrated his innocence and their enormous guilt in his crucifixion; as therefore the apostles continued to insist strongly on the resurrection of Christ, the persecution against them became hot and general. They were all scattered abroad - except the apostles - Their Lord had commanded them, when persecuted in one city, to flee to another: this they did, but, wherever they went, they proclaimed the same doctrines, though at the risk and hazard of their lives. It is evident, therefore, that they did not flee from persecution, or the death it threatened; but merely in obedience to their Lord's command. Had they fled through the fear of death, they would have taken care not to provoke persecution to follow them, by continuing to proclaim the same truths that provoked it in the first instance. That the apostles were not also exiled is a very remarkable fact: they continued in Jerusalem, to found and organize the infant Church; and it is marvellous that the hand of persecution was not permitted to touch them. Why this should be we cannot tell; but so it pleased the great Head of the Church. Bp. Pearce justly suspects those accounts, in Eusebius and others, that state that the apostles went very shortly after Christ's ascension into different countries, preaching and founding Churches. He thinks this is inconsistent with the various intimations we have of the continuance of the apostles in Jerusalem; and refers particularly to the following texts: Act 8:1, Act 8:14, Act 8:25; Act 9:26, Act 9:27; Act 11:1, Act 11:2; Act 12:1-4; Act 15:2, Act 15:4, Act 15:6, Act 15:22, Act 15:23; Act 21:17, Act 21:18; Gal 1:17-19; Gal 2:1, Gal 2:9. The Church at Jerusalem was the first Christian Church; and consequently, the boast of the Church of Rome is vain and unfounded. From this time a new era of the Church arose. Hitherto the apostles and disciples confined their labors among their countrymen in Jerusalem. Now persecution drove the latter into different parts of Judea, and through Samaria; and those who had received the doctrine of Christ at the pentecost, who had come up to Jerusalem from different countries to be present at the feast, would naturally return, especially at the commencement of the persecution, to their respective countries, and proclaim to their countrymen the Gospel of the grace of God. To effect this grand purpose, the Spirit was poured out at the day of pentecost; that the multitudes from different quarters, partaking of the word of life, might carry it back to the different nations among whom they had their residence. One of the fathers has well observed, that "these holy fugitives were like so many lamps, lighted by the fire of the Holy Spirit, spreading every where the sacred flame by which they themselves had been illuminated."
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
In these verses we have, I. Something more concerning Stephen and his death; how people stood affected to it - variously, as generally in such cases, according to men's different sentiments of things. Christ had said to his disciples, when he was parting with them (Joh 16:20), You shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice. Accordingly here is, 1. Stephen's death rejoiced in by one - by many, no doubt, but by one in particular, and that was Saul, who was afterwards called Paul; he was consenting to his death, suneudokōn - he consented to it with delight (so the word signifies); he was pleased with it. He fed his eyes with this bloody spectacle, in hopes it would put a stop to the growth of Christianity. We have reason to think that Paul ordered Luke to insert this, for shame to himself, and glory to free grace. Thus he owns himself guilty of the blood of Stephen, and aggravates it with this, that he did not do it with regret and reluctancy, but with delight and a full satisfaction, like those who not only do such things, but have pleasure in those that do them. 2. Stephen's death bewailed by others (Act 8:2) - devout men, which some understand of those that were properly so called, proselytes, one of whom Stephen himself probably was. Or, it may be taken more largely; some of the church that were more devout and zealous than the rest went and gathered up the poor crushed and broken remains, to which they gave a decent interment, probably in the field of blood, which was bought some time ago to bury strangers in. They buried him solemnly, and made great lamentation over him. Though his death was of great advantage to himself, and great service to the church, yet they bewailed it as a general loss, so well qualified was he for the service, and so likely to be useful both as a deacon and as a disputant. It is a bad symptom if, when such men are taken away, it is not laid to heart. Those devout men paid these their last respects to Stephen, (1.) To show that they were not ashamed of the cause for which he suffered, nor afraid of the wrath of those that were enemies to it; for, though they now triumph, the cause is a righteous cause, and will be at last a victorious one. (2.) To show the great value and esteem they had for this faithful servant of Jesus Christ, this first martyr for the gospel, whose memory shall always be precious to them, notwithstanding the ignominy of his death. They study to do honour to him upon whom God put honour. (3.) To testify their belief and hope of the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. II. An account of this persecution of the church, which begins upon the martyrdom of Stephen. When the fury of the Jews ran with such violence, and to such a height, against Stephen, it could not quickly either stop itself or spend itself. The bloody are often in scripture called blood-thirsty; for when they have tasted blood they thirst for more. One would have thought Stephen's dying prayers and dying comforts should have overcome them, and melted them into a better opinion of Christians and Christianity; but it seems they did not: the persecution goes on; for they were more exasperated when they saw they could prevail nothing, and, as if they hoped to be too hard for God himself, they resolve to follow their blow; and perhaps, because they were none of them struck dead upon the place for stoning Stephen, their hearts were the more fully set in them to do evil. Perhaps the disciples were also the more emboldened to dispute against them as Stephen did, seeing how triumphantly he finished his course, which would provoke them so much the more. Observe, 1. Against whom this persecution was raised: It was against the church in Jerusalem, which is no sooner planted than it is persecuted, as Christ often intimated that tribulation and persecution would arise because of the word. And Christ had particularly foretold that Jerusalem would soon be made too hot for his followers, for that city had been famous for killing the prophets and stoning those that were sent to it, Mat 23:37. It should seem that in this persecution many were put to death, for Paul owns that at this time he persecuted this way unto the death (Act 21:4), and (Act 26:10) that when they were put to death he gave his voice against them. 2. Who was an active man in it; none so zealous, so busy, as Saul, a young Pharisee, Act 8:3. As for Saul (who had been twice mentioned before, and now again for a notorious persecutor) he made havoc of the church; he did all he could to lay it waste and ruin it; he cared not what mischief he did to the disciples of Christ, nor knew when to stop. He aimed at no less than the cutting off of the gospel Israel, that the name of it should be no more in remembrance, Psa 83:4. He was the fittest tool the chief priests could find out to serve their purposes; he was informer-general against the disciples, a messenger of the great council to be employed in searching for meetings, and seizing all that were suspected to favour that way. Saul was bred a scholar, a gentleman, and yet did not think it below him to be employed in the vilest work of that kind. (1.) He entered into every house, making no difficulty of breaking open doors, night or day, and having a force attending him for that purpose. He entered into every house where they used to hold their meetings, or every house that had any Christians in it, or was thought to have. No man could be secure in his own house, though it was his castle. (2.) He haled, with the utmost contempt and cruelty, both men and women, dragged them along the streets, without any regard to the tenderness of the weaker sex; he stooped so low as to take cognizance of the meanest that were leavened with the gospel, so extremely bigoted was he. (3.) He committed them to prison, in order to their being tried and put to death, unless they would renounce Christ; and some, we find, were compelled by him to blaspheme, Act 26:11. 3. What was the effect of this persecution: They were all scattered abroad (Act 8:1), not all the believers, but all the preachers, who were principally struck at, and against whom warrants were issued out to take them up. They, remembering our Master's rule (when they persecute you in one city, flee to another), dispersed themselves by agreement throughout the regions of Judea and of Samaria; not so much for fear of sufferings (for Judea and Samaria were not so far off from Jerusalem but that, if they made a public appearance there, as they determined to do, their persecutors' power would soon reach them there), but because they looked upon this as an intimation of Providence to them to scatter. Their work was pretty well done in Jerusalem, and now it was time to think of the necessities of other places; for their Master had told them that they must be his witnesses in Jerusalem first, and then in all Judea and in Samaria, and then to the uttermost part of the earth (Act 1:8), and this method they observe. Through persecution may not drive us off from our work, yet it may send us, as a hint of Providence, to work elsewhere. The preachers were all scattered except the apostles, who, probably, were directed by the Spirit to continue at Jerusalem yet for some time, they being, by the special providence of God, screened from the storm, and by the special grace of God enabled to face the storm. They tarried at Jerusalem, that they might be ready to go where their assistance was most needed by the other preachers that were sent to break the ice; as Christ ordered his disciples to go to those places where he himself designed to go, Luk 10:1. The apostles continued longer together at Jerusalem than one would have thought, considering the command and commission given them, to go into all the world, and to disciple all nations. See Act 15:6; Gal 1:17. But what was done by the evangelists whom they sent forth was reckoned as done by them.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
8:1-4 Saul: Cp. 9:1-2; 22:4; 26:9-11; Gal 1:13-14. The result of this great wave of persecution was that all the believers . . . were scattered. Rather than having their enthusiasm dampened, however, they simply spread the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.