Acts 8:40
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But Philip appeared at Azotus and traveled through that region, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Commentaries
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Philip was found--that is, "found himself," "made his appearance": an expression confirming the miraculous manner of his transportation. at Azotus--the ancient Ashdod. preached in all the cities--along the coast, proceeding northward. till he came to CÃ&brvbrsarea--fifty-five miles northwest of Jerusalem, on the Mediterranean, just south of Mount Carmel; and so named by Herod, who rebuilt it, in honor of CÃ&brvbrsar Augustus. Henceforth we lose sight of zealous and honored Philip, as by and by we shall lose sight even of Peter. As the chariot of the Gospel rolls on, other agents are raised up, each suited to his work. But "he that soweth and he that reapeth shall rejoice together." (See on Joh 4:31-38). Next: Acts Chapter 9
Open source ↗In this chapter we have an account of the persecutions of the Christians, and the propagating of Christianity thereby. It was strange, but very true, that the disciples of Christ the more they were afflicted the more they multiplied. I. Here is the church suffering; upon the occasion of putting Stephen to death a very sharp storm arose, which forced many from Jerusalem (Act 8:1-3). II. Here is the church spreading by the ministry of Philip and others that were dispersed upon that occasion. We have here, 1. The gospel brought to Samaria, preached there (Act 8:4, Act 8:5), embraced there (Act 8:6-8), even by Simon Magus (Act 8:9-13); the gift of the Holy Ghost conferred upon some of the believing Samaritans by the imposition of the hands of Peter and John (Act 8:14-17); and the severe rebuke given by Peter to Simon Magus for offering money for a power to bestow that gift (Act 8:18-25). 2. The gospel sent to Ethiopia, by the eunuch, a person of quality of that country. He is returning home in his chariot from Jerusalem (Act 8:26-28). Philip is sent to him, and in his chariot preaches Christ to him (Act 8:29-35), baptizes him upon his profession of the Christian faith (Act 8:36-38), and the leaves him (Act 8:39-40). Thus in different ways and methods the gospel was dispersed among the nations, and, one way or other, "Have they not all heard?"
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Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.
At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was called the Italian Regiment.
When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him.
Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night.
But Festus replied, “Paul is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.
After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod,
Three days after his arrival in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem,
After spending no more than eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he sat on the judgment seat and ordered that Paul be brought in.
And after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages.
The following day he arrived in Caesarea, where Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.