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 8:4 | Therefore, those who had been scattered went everywhere preaching the word. | Context of spreading the word. |
| Mk 1:14-15 | ...Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." | Jesus' core message: Kingdom of God. |
| Lk 4:43 | But he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose." | Jesus' mission to preach the Kingdom. |
| Acts 19:8 | And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. | Paul also preached the Kingdom. |
| Rom 10:14-15 | How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have not heard? ... And how are they to preach unless they are sent? | Necessity of hearing the message to believe. |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... | Power of the "good news." |
| 1 Cor 15:3-4 | ...that Christ died for our sins... and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day... | Content of the Gospel message. |
| Jn 3:3, 5 | Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." ... unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. | Entering the Kingdom requires spiritual new birth. |
| Col 1:13 | He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. | Believers are transferred into God's Kingdom. |
| Acts 2:38 | And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." | Command to be baptized in Jesus' name. |
| Acts 3:16 | And by faith in his name, this man whom you see and know was made strong... | Healing and power through Jesus' name. |
| Acts 4:12 | And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. | Exclusivity and saving power of Jesus' name. |
| Php 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... | Exaltation and authority of Jesus' name. |
| Jn 3:16 | For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. | Outcome of believing in Christ. |
| Rom 10:9 | because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. | Essential elements of belief. |
| Rom 6:3-4 | Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death... | Meaning of baptism: identifying with Christ's death. |
| Col 2:12 | having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God... | Meaning of baptism: resurrection with Christ. |
| Gal 3:27-28 | For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. | Baptism and Christian unity, erasing social distinctions. |
| 1 Pet 3:21 | Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience... | Purpose of baptism. |
| Mt 28:19-20 | Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit... | The Great Commission, including baptism. |
| Acts 2:17-18 | 'And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy... | Prophecy of God's Spirit on men and women. |
Acts 8 verses
Acts 8 12 Meaning
Acts 8:12 describes the positive and inclusive response of people in Samaria to Philip's proclamation of the good news. They wholeheartedly embraced the message centered on the reign of God and the person and authority of Jesus Christ. As a result of their belief, they publicly confessed their new faith through water baptism, with both men and women participating equally in this significant Christian rite of initiation.
Acts 8 12 Context
This verse appears in the immediate aftermath of Stephen's martyrdom, which initiated a significant persecution of believers in Jerusalem. This persecution caused many disciples, except the apostles, to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1). Philip, one of the seven men chosen to serve (Acts 6:5), is specifically noted as going to Samaria, a region historically viewed with contempt by Jews but prophetically significant (Acts 1:8). In Samaria, Philip preached Christ, performed signs, and cast out demons, captivating the populace (Acts 8:5-7). Verse 12 serves as a stark contrast to the preceding verse, which mentions the powerful hold Simon the sorcerer had on the Samaritan people. Simon's influence was rooted in magical display and self-exaltation (Acts 8:9-11), whereas Philip's impact stemmed from the divine power of God's Spirit and the truth of the Gospel. This verse demonstrates a genuine conversion on the part of the Samaritans, embracing authentic spiritual truth over counterfeit power. It underscores the early church's expansion beyond traditional Jewish boundaries, fulfilling Jesus' mandate.
Acts 8 12 Word analysis
- But: (Greek: De) Introduces a contrast to the preceding narrative about Simon's hold over the people. It signals a shift from deception to truth.
- when they believed: (Greek: Hote de episteusan) Signifies a decisive turning point, an act of faith and trust in Philip's message. It's more than intellectual agreement; it implies a personal commitment.
- Philip: (Greek: Philippos) Refers to Philip the evangelist, one of the seven deacons from Acts 6. He was instrumental in spreading the gospel outside Jerusalem.
- as he preached: (Greek: Euangelizomenoi) Means "as he evangelized" or "as he announced good news." This term is fundamental to the Christian mission, signifying the active proclamation of the Gospel.
- the good news: (Greek: to euangelion) Refers to the "Gospel," the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. It’s inherently joyful and transformative news.
- about the kingdom of God: (Greek: peri tēs basileias tou theou) This was the central theme of Jesus' own preaching. It signifies God's sovereign rule, His redemptive plan, and the present and future reality of His spiritual reign in the lives of believers and ultimately on earth.
- and the name: (Greek: kai to onoma) "Name" in this context is much more than a label; it embodies the person, authority, power, and character of Jesus Christ. To believe in His name is to believe in Him fully.
- of Jesus Christ: (Greek: IÄ“sou Christou) Jesus (meaning "the Lord saves") identifies His saving role. Christ (meaning "anointed one," the Messiah) signifies His divine appointment as the promised King and Deliverer. These titles confirm His unique identity.
- they were baptized: (Greek: ebaptizonto) The imperfect tense suggests an ongoing action, or that they were being baptized in groups. It indicates immersion in water, a public rite of initiation, symbolic of repentance, washing away sins, and identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
- both men and women: (Greek: andre kĹŤi kai gynaikos) This phrase highlights the radical inclusivity of the early Christian movement. In many ancient cultures, women held a subordinate status, but in Christ, they receive the same spiritual standing and participate equally in the community rites.
Words-group analysis
- "But when they believed Philip as he preached": This phrase emphasizes the instrumental role of Philip's proclamation (preaching) leading directly to the people's belief. Faith comes through hearing the word preached.
- "the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ": This reveals the dual, interconnected content of the apostolic preaching. "Kingdom of God" provides the overarching framework of God's redemptive reign, while "the name of Jesus Christ" identifies the Messiah, the central figure, and the means by which entry into that Kingdom is possible. It links God's sovereign purpose to the specific person of Jesus.
- "they were baptized, both men and women": This group of words describes the immediate, visible response to their faith and underscores the comprehensive nature of salvation and initiation. The mention of "both men and women" emphasizes that the Gospel transcends gender distinctions, offering salvation and spiritual identity to all who believe, without bias.
Acts 8 12 Bonus section
The inclusion of Samaritans, historically estranged from Jews, marks a crucial fulfillment of Acts 1:8, where Jesus commissioned His disciples to be witnesses in "Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." This event directly paves the way for the later conversion of the Gentile centurion Cornelius (Acts 10). The structure of early Christian evangelism shown here—preaching the Gospel message leading to belief, then followed by baptism—provides a model for discipleship and church growth that still resonates today. The mention of the "Kingdom of God" indicates that the Gospel message was not just about individual salvation, but about aligning with God's ultimate reign and purpose for humanity.
Acts 8 12 Commentary
Acts 8:12 serves as a pivotal summary of genuine conversion and the expanding mission of the early church. Philip's preaching effectively presented the twin pillars of the Gospel: God's redemptive Kingdom and the salvific authority inherent in Jesus Christ. This led to a profound, internal belief among the Samaritans, contrasting sharply with their prior, superficial fascination with Simon's magic. Their belief was immediately expressed through water baptism, which in the early church was a public declaration of faith and an identification with Christ. The explicit mention of "both men and women" highlights a revolutionary aspect of Christianity – an inclusive community where spiritual standing and participation are not limited by societal status or gender. This demonstrates the transforming power of the Gospel that cuts through cultural prejudices and embraces all who respond in faith and obedience.