Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 8:12
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.
12. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God ] The oldest MSS. omit the things. The verb “preaching” is the same as in Act 8:4, and contains the notion of “gospel” or “glad tidings.” Now that the field of the preachers’ labour is being extended we have a further definition of the character of the message which they carried everywhere. “The kingdom of God” was the subject of Christ’s converse with the disciples during the forty days after His resurrection (Act 1:3).
and the name of Jesus Christ ] i.e. that He was the Messiah of whom there was knowledge and perhaps some expectation among the Samaritans (Joh 4:25; Joh 4:42). The question of the woman of Samaria “Is not this the Christ?” was answered by Philip’s preaching.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 12. But when they believed Philip] So it is evident that Philip’s word came with greater power then that of Simon; and that his miracles stood the test in such a way as the feats of Simon could not.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
When they believed; before they were baptized, being adult and strangers from the covenant, they must first evidence their right unto it, and profess their faith in Christ, and testify their conversation.
Concerning the kingdom of God; the kingdom of grace, and the kingdom of his glory, which is one and the same, being begun here, but consummated in heaven hereafter.
Both men and women; women under the gospel are as capable of this seal of the covenant as men.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. were baptized, both men andwomenthe detection of Simon’s frauds helping to extend anddeepen the effects of Philip’s preaching.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But when they believed Philip,…. Though they had been carried away so long with this deceiver, and had been so much attached unto him, and held in admiration of him; yet when Philip came and preached Christ unto them, such was the power that attended his ministry, and such the efficacy of divine grace that was exerted, that they not only gave heed unto him, but believed what he said:
preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God; concerning the kingdom of the Messiah, the Gospel dispensation, the doctrines and ordinances of the Gospel; and concerning the kingdom of grace, which is spiritual and internal, and which lies not in external things, as meat and drink, but in righteousness, peace, and joy; and concerning the kingdom of glory, the meetness for it, which lies in regenerating grace, and the right unto it, which is the righteousness of Christ:
and the name of Jesus Christ; concerning the person of Christ, as the Son of God: and the offices of Christ, as prophet, priest, and King; and the virtue of his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, for pardon, justification, and atonement: the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read this clause, “in the name of Jesus Christ”: and connect it with the following words,
they were baptized, both men and women: that is, when, they heard Philip preach the Gospel, and believed in Christ, the sum and substance of it, and made a profession of faith, they were of each sex, both men and women, baptized by immersion, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
They were baptized (). Imperfect passive (repetition, from time to time), while
believed () is constative aorist antecedent to the baptism. Note dative case of Philip with . Note the gospel of Philip “concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ.”
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “But when they believed Philip,” (hoti de episteusan to Philippo) “Then when they believed Philip,” trusted toward what Philip preached, observing that his message concerning Christ was accompanied by credentials of miraculous demonstrations that were beyond controversy, authentic in nature, Act 8:5-8; as also witnessed, Act 13:38-39.
2) “Preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God,” (evangelizomeno peri tes basileias tou theou) “Concerning (the things) the preaching of the kingdom of God,” the good news message of salvation, the resurrection, and ascension of Jesus into heaven, and the Holy Spirit empowering of the new testament covenant company called His church, Joh 20:26; Act 1:8; Act 2:1-4; 1Ti 3:15.
3) “And the name of Jesus Christ,” (kai tou onomatos lesou Christou) “And concerning the name (authority) of Jesus Christ,” to save and keep to care for lost men, as demonstrated by the empowered testimony of His mandated witnesses, Joh 20:21; Act 1:8.
4) “They were baptized, both men and women,” (ebaptizonto andres te kai gunaikes) “Both responsible (mature) men and women were baptized,” immersed, publicly committed themselves to be followers of Jesus Christ, in harmony with Mat 28:18-20; Act 2:41-47.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
12. When they had believed. That is the miracle whereof I spake because they heard Philip, who were altogether made astonied with the illusions of Simon; in that they were made partakers of the heavenly wisdom who were blockish and dull. So that they were, after a sort, brought from hell to heaven. Whereas baptism followed faith, it agreeth with Christ’s institution, as concerning strangers, (Mar 16:47 [ sic ],) and those which were without. For it was meet that they should be engrafted into the body of the Church before they should receive the sign; but the Anabaptists are too foolish, whilst they endeavor to prove by these places that infants are not to be baptized. Men and women could not be baptized without making confession of their faith; but they were admitted unto baptism upon this condition, that their families might (503) be consecrated to God; for the covenant goeth thus:
“
I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed,” (Gen 17:7.)
(503) “ Simul,” at the same time.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(12) But when they believed Philip . . . .The word for preaching is, as in Act. 8:4, preaching the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. The sequel shows that this included baptism as the outward condition of admission to the kingdom. We may infer from the other narrative of Philips mission-work (Act. 8:31-35) that it also included an outline-history of the passion and death and resurrection of the Prophet whom they had seen among them as fulfilling the great Messianic prophecies.
They were baptized, both men and women.The tense points, not to one great act, but to the continual succession of converts who were thus admitted. We think of the woman of Samaria, of Joh. 4:7, and wonder whether she was one of them.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingly rule of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women.’
Philip proclaimed the Kingly Rule of God and the name of Jesus Messiah, and the Samaritans, both men and women, heard and believed, with the result that they were baptised, declaring by this the desire to participate in the new age of the Spirit. But significantly they are portrayed as not ‘receiving the Spirit’. They are in a similar position to those whom John baptised (compare Act 19:1-6). God is deliberately ensuring that these Samaritans recognise that they are to be seen as one with the ‘Apostolic church’, and, until they are, withholds the new power of the Holy Spirit. They experience the same activity of the Holy Spirit as the disciples of John did (Mat 21:31-32), but not the full experience of Pentecost. Had this not been the case they might well have seen no need for Apostles from the hated Jerusalem, even if they too were semi-refugees.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Act 8:12 . They believed Philip, who announced the good news of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ .
. only here (see the critical remarks) with , but see Rom 1:3 ; Josephus, Antt. xv. 7. 2.
The Samaritans called the Messiah whom they expected or , the Converter, and considered Him as the universal, not merely political, but still more religious and moral, Renewer. See on Joh 4:25 .
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
12 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.
Ver. 12. They were baptized both men and women ] Who were admitted to baptism on this condition, that their infants also and their whole families should be consecrated to God; for so runs the covenant,Gen 17:7Gen 17:7 . If any ask why Christ and the apostles did not set down plainly, that infants were or might be baptized it is answered that none (then) questioned the lawfulness of it, because it was generally done. Again, if when infants were brought to be baptized (as they were brought to Christ to be blessed) the apostles had rejected them, the believing Jews (and others) would have excepted, and demanded why they might not as well be baptized, as once they were circumcised? and the apostles would have given them an answer. St Peter, speaking of baptism, limiteth it thus: “Baptism sayeth, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but,” &c.,1Pe 3:211Pe 3:21 . Would not the evangelist here as well have said, men and women were baptized, only infants were not. If it be further objected, that it is in vain to give the sacrament to infants that understand not what is done to them, we answer, that the same may be said touching the sacrament of circumcision, which yet was done to infants, by God’s appointment. Thus to object therefore, is to “charge God foolishly,” Job 1:22 . Again, were Christ’s parables uttered in vain, because not presently understood? Or was it to no purpose that he laid his hands upon infants and blessed them? is it in vain to give medicine to children, fools, or mad men, that know not what we do to them?
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Act 8:12 . . : only here with , cf. Rom 1:3 (Jos., Ant. , xv., 7, 2). Amongst the Samaritans Philip would have found a soil already prepared for his teaching, cf. Joh 4:25 , and a doctrine of the Messiah, in whom the Samaritans saw not only a political but a religious renewer, and one in whom the promise of Deu 18:15 would be fulfilled (Edersheim, Jesus the Messiah , i., 402, 403; Westcott, Introduction to the Study of the Gospels , pp. 162, 163). , cf. Act 5:14 : “etiam mulieres quae a superstitionibus difficilius abstrahuntur,” Wetstein, cf. Joh 4:35 ff.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
believed. App-150.
the things. The texts omit.
concerning. Greek. peri. App-104.
the kingdom of God. App-112and App-114.
name. Compare Act 3:6.
Jesus Christ. App-98.
baptized. App-115.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Act 8:12. , but) when they had perceived the deceit of Simon.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
they believed: Act 8:35-38, Act 2:38, Act 2:41, Act 16:14, Act 16:15, Act 16:31-34, Mat 28:19, Mar 16:15, Rom 10:10, 1Pe 3:21
concerning: Act 1:3, Act 11:20, Act 20:21, Act 20:25, Act 28:31, Luk 9:2, Luk 9:60
both: Act 5:14, 1Co 11:11, Gal 3:28
Reciprocal: Joh 4:41 – many Act 8:37 – If Act 10:47 – General Act 18:8 – hearing Act 19:5 – they Heb 6:2 – the doctrine
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2
Act 8:12. When they believed . . . they were baptized. It will be seen that the inspired writer takes it for granted when a man believes the Gospel he will also obey it. (See the comments at chapter 2:41.) Men and women. We never read in the scriptures that infants or young children were baptized; it is always men or women.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 8:12. But when they believed Philip . . . they were baptized, both men and women. Philip, as Bishop Lightfoot observes (Galatians, Dissertation iii.), carried into practice the doctrine which Stephen preached and for which he died. Stephen was the first to look stedfastly to the end of that which is abolished, to sound the death-knell of the Mosaic ordinances and the Temple worship, and to claim for the Gospel unfettered liberty and universal rights. Philip, by preaching to and then baptizing a number of Samaritans who believed, was the founder of the earliest Gentile congregation. The first stones of the Church of the Gentiles were laid by those men who were dispersed when the persecution arose about Stephen.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Act 8:12-13. But when they believed Philip, &c. When they became spectators of Philips miracles, and were convinced that they were real, and those of Simon a mere sham; or, when they believed the doctrine that Philip preached, concerning the kingdom of God, they then saw and felt the real power of God, and submitted thereto; and were baptized, both men and women Thus making an open profession of their faith in the gospel. By the influence of divine grace, working with the word, they that had been led captive by Satan, were brought into obedience to Christ. Then Simon himself believed The truth of the doctrine taught by this messenger of God, though his heart was not truly changed by its power: and when he was baptized On a profession of that faith; he continued with Philip Courting a further acquaintance with him; and wondered, beholding the miracles, &c. Greek, was astonished, or filled with amazement, as the Samaritans had formerly been, at the sight of his magical performances. It is with peculiar elegance and propriety, that the same word which had been used to express the manner in which the Samaritans were affected with Simons enchantments, is here used to describe the impression which Philips miracles made on him. Thus Doddridge; who adds, We see in this, as in a thousand nearer instances, that there may be a speculative faith in the gospel where there is no true piety; and if such persons, on the profession of that faith, where nothing appears contrary to it, be admitted to those ordinances by which Christians are distinguished from the rest of mankind, it is an evil in the present state of things unavoidable, and the conduct of Christian ministers and societies, in admitting such, will be less displeasing to God than a rigorous severity.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
See notes on verse 6
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Simon promoted himself, but Philip preached Christ.
"I believe that Simon is the first religious racketeer in the church-but, unfortunately, not the last." [Note: McGee, 4:543]
Luke described Philip’s message as the good news about God’s kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ (cf. Act 1:3; Act 1:6; Act 8:12; Act 14:22; Act 19:8; Act 20:25; Act 28:23; Act 28:31). Those who trust in Christ become partakers in His spiritual rule over them now and eventually will enter into His future earthly millennial rule. The phrase "name of Jesus Christ" points to the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed Messiah (cf. 1Jn 5:1). Note that water baptism followed conversion almost immediately (cf. Act 2:38). Both men and women believed and were undergoing baptism. This was clearly water baptism since they did not experience Spirit baptism until later (Act 8:17).