QT 17/05/2026 Sun. Acts 8 Scattered but Sent: The Spirit Leads the Gospel Across Boundaries 四散却被差遣：圣灵引领福音跨越疆界

QT 17/05/2026 Sun. Acts 8  Scattered but Sent: The Spirit Leads the Gospel Across Boundaries
READ http://www.esv.org/acts8

They ran for their lives. The early church was scattered overnight. But wherever they went… the message of Jesus went with them. Acts 8 shows us how the Spirit uses disruption to reach the nations. Let’s unpack Acts 8 and focus on the Acts of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8 marks a turning point in the story of the early church. What begins in crisis becomes a catalyst for mission. After the martyrdom of Stephen, persecution scatters the believers—but instead of silencing them, it multiplies their witness. The Spirit is not hindered by opposition nor human fallenness (Acts 8:9-25); He uses it to move the gospel outward.

Philip goes down to Samaria (Acts 8:4–8), a place marked by deep historical and cultural hostility with the Jews. Yet the Spirit empowers him to preach Christ with boldness, and the people respond with joy. This is no small moment—the gospel is crossing ethnic and religious lines, fulfilling the trajectory Jesus set in Acts 1:8. The Spirit is making it clear: the good news is not confined to one people group.

Then we see the Spirit’s personal leading in a striking way in Acts 8:26–40. Philip is directed to a desert road where he encounters an Ethiopian official—a man of influence, yet spiritually searching. As the official reads Isaiah, the Spirit prompts Philip to draw near and explain the Scriptures, revealing Jesus as the fulfillment. The man believes and is baptized immediately. Here, the gospel crosses not only geography but also race, status, and nationality. The nations are beginning to come in.

Meanwhile, Saul, a fierce persecutor of the church, is introduced as a looming figure (Acts 8:1–3). Though not yet converted in this chapter, his presence reminds us that the Spirit’s work often unfolds in ways we do not yet see. The one who tries to destroy the church will soon be sent to build it among the Gentiles.

Reflection

The Spirit is always on the move, pushing the church beyond comfort zones. He leads believers into unexpected places and toward unexpected people. Acts 8 challenges us to ask: are we attentive to His leading, even when it disrupts our plans or prejudices?

The gospel is not bound by cultural, political, or social barriers. The same Spirit who sent Philip still sends us—to neighbors, strangers, and even those we might naturally avoid. The question is not whether the Spirit is moving, but whether we are willing to follow.

Application

(a) Ask God to open your eyes to people outside your usual circle who need the gospel.
(b) Be ready to explain the hope of Christ when the Spirit creates an opportunity.
(c) Trust that God can use disruption and difficulty to advance His mission.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your Spirit who leads, empowers, and sends. Give me a heart that is willing to go wherever You direct, crossing boundaries for the sake of the gospel. Help me to see people as You see them and to speak boldly of Jesus. Use my life as part of Your mission to reach the nations. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

QT 17/05/2026 星期日. 使徒行传 8 四散却被差遣：圣灵引领福音跨越疆界
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/act/8/

他们为了保命而奔逃。初代教会在一夜之间四散。但无论他们走到哪里……耶稣的福音都与他们同在。《使徒行传》第8章向我们展示了圣灵如何利用动荡来触及万国。让我们深入探讨《使徒行传》第八章，聚焦于圣灵的作为。

《使徒行传》第八章标志着早期教会历史的转折点。始于危机的事件，竟成了宣教的催化剂。斯蒂芬殉道后，迫害使信徒四散——但这非但没有使他们噤声，反而使他们的见证倍增。圣灵既不受反对的阻碍，也不受人类软弱的限制（《使徒行传》8:9-25）； 祂反而利用这些来推动福音向外扩展。

腓力前往撒玛利亚（使徒行传8:4–8），那里与犹太人有着深厚的历史和文化敌意。然而圣灵赋予他能力，使他能大胆地传讲基督，而人们也满怀喜乐地回应。这绝非微不足道的一刻——福音正在跨越种族和宗教的界限，成就了耶稣在使徒行传1:8所设定的轨迹。圣灵在明确表明：这好消息并不局限于某个特定族群。

与此同时，作为教会激烈迫害者的扫罗，以一个令人警惕的人物形象登场（使徒行传8:1–3）。尽管在本章中他尚未归信，但他的出现提醒我们：圣灵的工作往往以我们尚未察觉的方式展开。那个试图摧毁教会的人，很快将被差遣去在外邦人中建立教会。

反思

圣灵始终在行动，推动教会走出舒适区。祂引领信徒前往意想不到的地方，接触意想不到的人。《使徒行传》第八章挑战我们自问：即使祂的引导打乱了我们的计划或挑战了我们的成见，我们是否依然留心聆听？

福音不受文化、政治或社会壁垒的束缚。那位差遣腓力的圣灵，如今仍差遣我们——去向邻舍、陌生人，甚至那些我们本能上会避而远之的人。问题不在于圣灵是否在动工，而在于我们是否愿意跟随。

应用

(a) 求神开启你的眼睛，让你看见那些在你日常圈子之外、却需要福音的人。
(b) 当圣灵创造机会时，要随时准备好传讲基督的盼望。
(c) 相信神能使用混乱与困难来推进祂的使命。

祷告

主啊，感谢祢那引导、赋予能力并差遣我们的圣灵。求祢赐我一颗甘愿遵从祢指引的心，为着福音跨越一切界限。求祢帮助我像祢一样看待他人，并大胆传讲耶稣。求祢使用我的生命，作为祢向万国传福音使命的一部分。奉耶稣的名祷告。阿们。