What is the meaning of Acts chapter 8 verse 5?

Answer 1

There are some finer points in each of the three scriptures referenced here. Basically, though, the entire church was coming under persecution. So much so, that it was costing your life, or at least liberty to have any affiliation with Jesus. It was not a local persecution either (certain sections of a city), but as wide spread as Judea and Samaria. This indicates a very well organized and thorough cleansing occuring, but moreso, that the church 'had' made some serious advances in the short time after Jesus' death and resurrection. This scattering was probably the key behind the spreading of the gospel!

Answer:

The gospel was to "begin at Jerusalem" [Luke 24:47]... and that's what happened. Beginning with that Pentecost, following Jesus' resurrection, the Spirit-filled Apostles began to speak boldly [in Jerusalem], where before they had hidden away for fear of the Jews.

And in Jerusalem was bound to be where the first believer would be martyred.

Acts 8:1-3 briefly introduces us to "Paul" [originally, "Saul" the most devoted and deadly persecutor of God's church in Jerusalem at that time]. With the "smell of Stephen's blood" in the air... even bolder steps against the church took off throughout the city:

"And Saul was there, giving approval to his [Stephen's] death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church AT JERUSALEM, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria." (Acts 8:1 NIV)

Where the gospel began... the persecution began -- AT JERUSALEM.

"But Saul began to destroy the church [in Jerusalem]. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison." (verse 3)

It was unconverted Saul's concentrated persecution in Jerusalem, that caused the gospel to begin to quickly spread beyond Jerusalem.

"Those who had been scattered preached the Word wherever they went." (verse 4)

Of Acts 8:1-4, Matthew Henry says: "...Though persecution must not drive us from our work, yet it may send us to work elsewhere. Wherever the established believer is driven, he carries the knowledge of the gospel, and makes known the preciousness of Christ in every place. Where a simple desire of doing good influences the heart, it will be found impossible to shut a man out from all opportunities of usefulness." (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary; Acts 8:1-4)

Acts 8:1-3's "Saul"... the persecutor of the gospel from Jerusalem... would later be recruited by Jesus Christ as "Paul" to return to Jerusalem preaching Jesus Christ. He, too, would be persecuted and forced abroad -- where he would begin to "organize" that which he caused to be scattered before... to plant and establish the churches of God among the Gentiles.

In a complete about-face, he would later say to his fellow Jews in Jerusalem: "...We had to speak the Word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of Eterna Life, we now turn to the Gentiles... a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth." (Acts 13:46-47 NIV)

It began in Acts 8:1-3.

Answer 2

There was some severe persecution of the Christians in Jerusalem. Stephen they stoned. So the Christians were scattered to places away from Jerusalem. Whereever they went, they continued to preach and teach about Jesus as having been the long promised Messiah. Pretty soon there were Christian groups in various other places. Syrian Antioch is one example.

Answer 3

Act 8:5 Philip went to the principal city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to the people there.

It means that Philip went to Samaria and told them:

- that Christ had come in the flesh,

- that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ,

- that he was the Son of God, and the only Saviour of men;

- by his obedience, sufferings, and death, had obtained eternal redemption for his people;

- that Christ had risen again, and ascended into heaven,

- that Christ was set down at the right hand of God, where he lives to make intercession,

- Christ would come again a second time to judge both quick and dead.