Acts 8

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek for Messiah)

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. Acts 8:5

Philip's whole message in Samaria is Christ. Samaritans were also waiting for a Messiah, and Philip declares that He has come.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 4:25-26 — Jesus tells a Samaritan woman that He is the Messiah.

Taking His name

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12

The Samaritans believe in the name of Jesus Christ and make a covenant with Him through baptism. Faith in His name leads straight to the ordinance.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Mosiah 18:10 — Baptism as a witness of covenant to serve Him.

Taking His name

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Acts 8:16

They had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus but still needed the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands from those with authority. Both ordinances are done in His name.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Acts 19:5-6 — Baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, then hands laid on for the Holy Ghost.

Lamb of God

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: Acts 8:32–33

Isaiah foresaw the Messiah going silently to His death like a lamb to be sacrificed. He was denied justice and His life was taken. Jesus fulfilled this when He stayed silent before His accusers and gave His life.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Isaiah 53:7-8 — The passage the eunuch was reading.
• a parallel account in Mosiah 14:7-8 — Abinadi recites the same Isaiah passage.
• interpreted by Mosiah 15:6 — Abinadi applies "as a sheep before the shearer is dumb" to Christ.
• fulfilled by Matthew 26:63 — "But Jesus held his peace."

Jesus

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Acts 8:34–35

The eunuch asks the key question, "Who is Isaiah talking about?" Philip starts from that very scripture and teaches that it is Jesus. This is a clear scriptural key that Isaiah 53 is about Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Isaiah 53:7 — Philip identifies the silent lamb as Jesus.
• alludes to Luke 24:27 — The risen Jesus expounds in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Son of God

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8:37

Before his baptism, the eunuch testifies of Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Faith in Christ is the first requirement for baptism.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Matthew 16:16 — Peter: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
• the same title in John 20:31 — Written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.