Acts 8:12 kjv
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 nkjv
But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
Acts 8:12 niv
But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:12 esv
But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:12 nlt
But now the people believed Philip's message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.
Acts 8 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 1:8 | "...you shall be witnesses to Me..." | Jesus' Great Commission |
| Acts 2:41 | "...those who accepted his message were baptized..." | Pentecost's effect |
| Acts 2:42 | "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching..." | Early Church's devotion |
| Acts 8:5 | "Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there." | Philip's ministry begins |
| Acts 8:26-40 | Ethiopian eunuch's conversion | Philip's broader ministry |
| John 1:41 | "We have found the Messiah." | First disciples' testimony |
| John 4:28-30 | "The woman... told people, 'Come see a man who told me everything I've done!'" | Samaritan woman's testimony |
| John 4:39 | "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him..." | Samaritans believe Jesus |
| Luke 24:47 | "...repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name..." | Jesus' post-resurrection charge |
| Romans 1:16 | "For I am not ashamed of the gospel..." | Paul's declaration of confidence |
| 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 | "The gospel... by which you are saved..." | Core gospel message |
| Galatians 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Gentile..." | Unity in Christ |
| Ephesians 4:5 | "one Lord, one faith, one baptism..." | Unity of faith |
| Colossians 1:13-14 | "delivered us... transferred us... in the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." | Salvation in Christ |
| 1 Peter 3:15 | "...always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." | Defending faith |
| 1 John 5:1 | "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God..." | Belief in Jesus' identity |
| Isaiah 49:6 | "...I will give you as a light to the Gentiles..." | Messiah as light |
| Psalm 2:7 | "He declared, 'I will proclaim the decree...'" | Messiah's divine declaration |
| Matthew 28:19-20 | "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." | Great Commission fulfillment |
| Mark 16:15 | "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'" | Great Commission directive |
| Acts 1:8 | "...witnesses to me in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” | Expanding witness |
| Acts 4:32 | "All the believers were one in heart and mind." | Unity among believers |
Acts 8 verses
Acts 8 12 Meaning
The verse highlights the transformed lives of believers in Samaria, who joyfully embraced and proclaimed Jesus as their Christ. Their belief led to genuine spiritual experience and public testimony, signifying a significant moment in the early spread of Christianity.
Acts 8 12 Context
Following Stephen's martyrdom, the early church faced persecution, leading believers to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria. Philip, one of the seven chosen leaders, took advantage of this dispersal to preach the gospel in Samaria, a region historically estranged from Jewish society. This chapter details a pivotal moment where the Samaritans, previously considered outsiders, embraced Christianity through Philip's powerful preaching and miraculous signs. The verse emphasizes the positive response to the gospel message among these Samaritans, showcasing the early church's expansion beyond its Jewish roots and God's inclusive plan of salvation.
Acts 8 12 Word Analysis
kaiV (kaiV): and, also, even, in fact. (conjunction linking phrases, showing addition or continuation).
de (de): but, and, moreover. (disjunctive or adversative conjunction, often used to introduce a contrast or a new point).
omologoumenwn (homologountōn): acknowledging, confessing. (present active participle, feminine plural genitive, from homologeō - to say the same thing, agree, confess). Denotes an ongoing action of public affirmation.
autou (autou): his, of him. (personal pronoun, masculine genitive singular, from autos). Refers to Jesus Christ.
Ihsoun (Iēsoun): Jesus. (proper noun, masculine accusative singular, from Iēsous). The subject of their confession.
Criston (Christon): Christ. (noun, masculine accusative singular, from Christos - anointed one). Confessing Jesus as the Messiah.
diaV (diaV): through, by. (preposition with genitive). Indicates the means or agency.
thV (tēs): the. (definite article, feminine genitive singular).
polereoV (polereōs): much, greatly. (adverb, meaning 'greatly' or 'loudly'). Describes the manner of the rejoicing.
ceara (chara): joy. (noun, feminine genitive singular, from chara). The emotional state experienced.
epoxairon (epōxaron): Rejoiced. (verb, aorist middle indicative, 3rd person plural, from epichairo). The action of experiencing and expressing joy.
Believers in Samaria (omologountōn autou Ihsoun Criston): Those who had accepted the gospel message preached by Philip.
Acknowledging and confessing Jesus Christ (omologountōn... Ihsoun Criston): This implies a public and active affirmation of Jesus' identity and lordship.
Greatly rejoicing (diaV thV polereOVs chara epōxaron): Their joy was not superficial but profound, indicating a deep inner transformation and delight in their salvation.
Significance of the Samaritans: This act of confessing Jesus highlights the breaking down of ethnic and social barriers, as Samaritans were historically viewed with suspicion by Jews.
Acts 8 12 Bonus Section
The rejoicing mentioned here (epōxaron) can be understood in the context of both personal salvation and communal celebration. It echoes the joy found in ancient Near Eastern triumphal processions or celebrations upon receiving good news. For the Samaritans, this would have been especially significant given their strained relationship with the Jews, representing a new era of unity and shared hope in the Messiah. The deep joy indicates that their belief was not simply intellectual assent but a heart-transforming experience, as promised in many prophetic passages concerning the Messianic age, such as Isaiah 55:12 ("For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace"). This demonstrates that embracing Christ leads to an abundant spiritual life filled with divine joy, regardless of one's background.
Acts 8 12 Commentary
This verse captures the heart of true conversion. The Samaritans, upon hearing and believing Philip's message about Jesus Christ, not only confessed Him publicly but did so with profound joy. This joy isn't mere happiness; it's a spiritual delight stemming from reconciliation with God through Christ. Their active confession demonstrates a commitment to their new faith. The scene powerfully illustrates the inclusive nature of the gospel, extending salvation and transforming the lives of those previously on the fringes of religious and social acceptance. This event underscores the power of the Good News to bring people together in unity under Christ, evidenced by their collective rejoicing.