Acts 8, Part 1

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth"  (Acts 1:8)

Acts 8 begins the next phase of the spread of the gospel, to "Judea and Samaria".  "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went" (Acts 8:4) illustrates how God was able to turn a horrible situation and use it for good; for the persecution led to the scattering which resulted in the spread of the gospel.

Looking at Saul in this passage, giving approval to the killing of Stephen and zealously destroying the Church, and then knowing of his amazing ministry later after he becomes the apostle Paul; also shows how God can use a person for His Work, no matter what they may have done in their past - once again illustrating how He turns negatives into positives.

Then, the passage shows a clear contrast between Philip's message, proclaiming the Messiah and the gospel of Jesus Christ; versus Simon's message of his own greatness.  And later, Peter's rebuke of Simon's monetary greed and wickedness in his heart shows how important it is that those who are converted know the TRUTH and are taught right theology.  We constantly have to be aware of false teachings; and the passage doesn't clearly tell us whether Simon ever truly repents.  Early Christian literature indicates that he may become the founder of the harmful and false teaching of Gnostism.