“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.”
My Notes
What Does Acts 8:12 Mean?
"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." The gospel reaches Samaria — the territory Jews avoided, the people Jews despised. Philip preaches, Samaritans believe, and they're baptized. Both men and women. The inclusion is comprehensive.
The phrase "both men and women" is Luke's deliberate note of gender inclusivity in the early church. Baptism wasn't just for men. The kingdom Philip preached included women as full participants. In a culture where women's religious participation was limited, the early church baptized without gender restriction.
The content of Philip's preaching — "the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ" — combines the macro (kingdom) with the micro (name). The big picture (God's ruling authority) and the personal entry point (Jesus' name) are preached together. You enter the kingdom through the name.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Who are the 'Samaritans' in your world that the gospel includes but your tradition excludes?
- 2.What does 'both men and women' teach about the early church's practice of inclusion?
- 3.How does preaching both 'kingdom of God' and 'name of Jesus' provide both big picture and personal access?
- 4.What barrier is the gospel currently breaking through in your community?
Devotional
Samaritans believed. Samaritans were baptized. Both men and women. The gospel has jumped the wall that Jews built between themselves and everyone else. The people who were excluded by ethnicity are included by faith.
The 'both men and women' is Luke's quiet revolution. He doesn't make a speech about gender equality. He just records the fact: women were baptized alongside men. Full participants. Full members. Full recipients of the same gospel, the same kingdom, the same name of Jesus Christ.
Philip preaches two things: the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. The kingdom is the big picture — God's authority being established on earth. The name is the doorway — the specific, personal access point into that kingdom. You don't enter the kingdom through a general spiritual sentiment. You enter through a specific name: Jesus Christ.
The Samaritan mission is the first expansion beyond Jewish boundaries. The gospel starts in Jerusalem (Acts 2), moves to Samaria (Acts 8), and will eventually reach the ends of the earth (Acts 13+). Each expansion breaks a barrier: ethnic, geographic, cultural. The kingdom doesn't stay where it starts. It expands to include people the insiders would have excluded.
Who are the 'Samaritans' in your world — the people your tradition has excluded that the gospel includes?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Then Simon himself believed also,.... With an historical and temporary faith, as that Jesus was the Messiah, &c. or at…
But when they believed Philip - So it is evident that Philip's word came with greater power then that of Simon; and that…
Samson's riddle is here again unriddled: Out of the eater comes forth meat, and out of the strong sweetness. The…
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God The oldest MSS. omit the things. The…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture