Chapter 8
Saul attacks the church
The young Sanhedrin, Saul was consenting in Stephen’s death, he may not have thrown a stone, but he might as well have. Around this time, largely due to the apostles teaching, there was a great persecution of the church and many scattered abroad throughout the region except for the apostles. And Saul persecuted the church greatly, in particular he would go house to house dragging them away to prison or other forms of punishment (verses 2-3).

Phillip preaches about Jesus in Samaria, Simon the magician accepts Christ
Verses 5-13 tell of the exploits of the Phillip and his ministry. Many were healed and brought to Christ through his ministry he also saved many who were cursed by a sorcerer and even freed the sorcerer, whose name was Simon and Simon joined Phillip in his works to see more miracles. Words is sent to Peter and John of what Phillip did in Samaria. Peter and John lay hands on those that were baptized so that they would receive the Holy Ghost.

Phillip ministers to the Ethiopian official
Simon being unlearned sees Peter and John laying hands on others and they receive the Holy Ghost and he wants to purchase that power thinking it is something he can pay for. Peter quickly rebukes him for his thoughts (verses 18-24). The chapter ends in verses 28-39 with Phillip being called by an angel to go minister to the Ethiopian Eunuch. The eunuch is reading the word, Phillip expounds on the word and teach the eunuch the gospel and immediately the eunuch gets baptized. I want my teaching to be this effective. Furthermore the eunuch goes away rejoicing because he understood what Phillip taught him and the Holy Ghost catches Peter away and teleports him to away to another location.

Chapter 9
Saul's conversion
Verses 1-6 Saul prepares to set out to Damascus to get permission from the High Priest to send out letters from Damascus to the Synagogues throughout Jerusalem stating that anyone caught teaching or supporting the doctrine of the disciples of Jesus Christ will be bound and brought to Damascus. On his way to Damascus Saul encounters the Spirit of Jesus that inquires as to why Saul was persecuting his people. Ironically Saul had no answer, however he did inquire of the Lord Jesus as to what he would have Saul do. Verses 7-9 following the encounter Saul is left blinded by the light for three days and during that time he did not eat or drink. Verses 10 -12 God calls to a man named Ananias to go into the street and go to the house where God has sent Saul and God will us Ananias to restore Saul’s sight. Verses 13-16 there is a brief back and forth between Ananias and God, Ananias question God considering all the wrong that Saul has done and God tells Ananias that he has a job for Saul to do. With that Ananias goes to lay hands on Saul.

Saul proclaims Jesus in the synagogues
Verses 17-22 When Ananiahs laid hands on Saul to restore his sight and give him the Holy Ghost. After Saul’s sight was restored he ate something to get his strength up, he was baptized and immediately went into the temple preaching that Jesus Christ is God’s son. Many Jews were confused because this was the same man that came to Damascus to get permission to bring all those he found doing what he is currently doing to the temple at Damascus. It was not long before the Jews were trying to plan ways to kill Saul.

Saul escapes Damascus and goes to Jerusalem
The disciples that were with him help Saul escape the city to avoid death. He travels to Jerusalem to join the disciples there and initially they are scared to receive him, but Barnabas takes him to the apostles to declare the works of the Lord. Now that Saul was not persecuting the church it could grow and prosper (verse 31).

Aeneas is healed and Dorcas is resurrected
The chapter ends with Peter performing two miracles in verses 33-43. He first heals a man that had been sick with Palsy for eight years. Lastly he raised a woman from the dead in Joppa.