Liberty University School Divinity
Thematic Analysis Essay 2
Submitted to Dr. Cody Podor
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
BIBL 364-D02
Acts 8:1-12:25
April 24, 2021
In this segment in the second movement of the book of Acts, the gospel is spreading into all
the earth, the persecution against the church has taken place in Jerusalem. Saul was ravaging
the church and the body of Christ. While Philip baptized an Ethiopian eunuch. These events
occurred after the stoning of Stephen. The murder of Stephen caused the gospel to travel and
expand throughout all areas of the earth. In Acts 8-12, we see the journey of the Apostles
(Philip, Peter, and John) ministry in Samaria as well as other parts. The Gospel was no longer
contained just for the Jews, but it was shared with the Gentiles and Samaritans. In Acts 1:8
(ESV), Jesus tells the apostles “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of
the earth”. The baptism of the Holy Spirit allowed the apostles to carry out the Great
Commission commanded by Jesus. The Holy Spirit guided them to geographical regions where
they were to go to and witness the Gospel.
Philip was the first to preach the Gospel in Samaria after he was filled with the Holy Spirit. In
Acts 8:5, Philip went to the city of Samaria to share the good news about Jesus. He then leaves
Samaria by the leading of the Holy Spirit and goes through Gaza, a desert place. According to
Acts 8:26-40 ESV, Philip met an Ethiopian eunuch on his journey to Jerusalem to worship. Philip
heard the Ethiopian eunuch reading “The Suffering Servant”. Philip asked the Ethiopian did he
know what he was reading. The Ethiopian eunuch made the statement that he needs someone
to guide him. Philip began to tell him the good news about Jesus. As they were traveling along,
they came across some water and the Ethiopian asked to be baptized. Philip baptized the
Ethiopian and this was the start of the first Ethiopian church. The gospel was being spread to
different geographical areas and different nationalities of people. This was a prophetic word
that was given by Jesus. Matthew 28:19 ESV, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.
There are major themes that were developed in Acts 9-12. Saul was persecuting the church.
Saul, being the persecutor had no problem with Stephen being stoned to death. He ravaged the
church, wreaking devastation and inflicting ruin. While believers were worshiping, Saul would
raid the house churches and arrest everyone, both men and women. On Saul’s way to
Damascus, he met Jesus. There Jesus blinded Saul for three days because of his persecution of
Christians. Acts 9:6 ESV tells the story of how the Lord told Saul “But arise and enter the city,
and you will be told what you are to do.” On this journey Saul was converted. The same Saul
who was persecuting the church was now sharing the good news of faith with others. Saul
himself transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit. This allowed the Gospel of God to be
released in Arabia through Saul. Saul’s conversion along with the ministries of Philip and
Stephen helped to move the work of the Great Commission into the places Jesus commanded
for them to go.
Acts 10 Cornelius, a centurion, a devout man who feared God as well as his entire household
had an angel to come to him in a vision. The angel of the Lord told him to send men to Joppa
and bring back Peter (Acts 10:5 ESV). As the men were on their journey to find Peter, God was
already revealing a vision to Peter as well. Acts 10:19 says, “and while Peter was pondering the
vision, the Spirit said to him, “behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and
accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” The men took Paul and some of the
brothers form Joppa to Cornelius as instructed by God. When Peter arrived, he found Cornelius
and his family inside waiting for Paul to share the gospel with them. In Acts 10:33 Cornelius tells
Peter,
“now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been
commanded by the Lord.” Peter understanding the commission of God does not hold back and
shares the good news of Jesus with the Gentiles. While Peter was talking to the Gentiles, the
Holy spirit fell upon them. The Gentiles begin to speak in tongues and receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit. Peter baptized them in Jesus name. Peter’s approach to the Gentiles was Acts
10:34, “that God doesn’t show partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does
what is right is acceptable to him.” Peter told the Gentiles that Jesus Christ is lord of all (Acts
10:36). Peter’s approach to the
Jews was to let them know that they are no longer bound by traditions through the law of
Moses. He was letting them know that it is by faith in Jesus Christ that they are saved, not
through tradition and works.
This segment of Acts allows us to see Stephen’s death ignited the Great Commission that
Jesus foretold his disciples before his death. Jesus commanded the gospel to be spread into all
the earth (Acts 1:7-8). Stephen, Philip, Paul and Peter were all catalyst in spreading the gospel
and making disciples as Jesus commissioned them. The Holy Spirit has no boundaries. It
doesn’t matter the race, nationality, gender or area. Jesus loves us all and as Peter told the
Gentiles in Acts 10, “God doesn’t show partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and
does what is right is acceptable to him.”
Bibliography
Ger, Steven, “The Book of Acts: Witnesses to the World.” Essay. In The Book of Acts: Witnesses
to the World, 110. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2018.
