Session 17: Samaritans and Gentiles (Acts 8-11)

What this episode covers

Stephen’s martyrdom had a significant effect on the early community of Yeshua-followers. Up until this point, the followers of Yeshua have been flocking to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is like a magnet. The movement had been centripetal. The death of Stephen sparked an abrupt change to a centrifugal (outward) movement. Now the good news is going out from Jerusalem. Remember in Acts 1:8, Yeshua told his apostles “You will be my witnesses in (1) Jerusalem and Judea, (2) Samaria, and (3) to the ends of the earth.” God took this terrible event of Stephen’s death and used it to accomplish great good and to further his mission. In this session we look at the Samaritans. Are they Jewish or Gentile? What is Luke’s attitude towards them? Next there is the Ethiopian Eunuch. How does he connect with a passage in Isaiah? Finally, we tackle Peter’s vision and the conversion of Cornelius. The narrative of Peter’s vision is repeated three times in Acts. There is so much to unpack in here. Watch a video of this session below, or use the player at the top of this page to listen to just the audio. For a list of all the sessions in this series, click here. You can also check out our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Segullah audio teachings podcast.