Chapter 8 is a turning point in the book of Acts. To this point, the apostles and disciples have been hanging around Jerusalem and Judea. They have been teaching at the temple, making more disciples, and creating the bonds of community. Important stuff! But something needed to happen. Jesus had given them clear instruction before leaving. An unmistakable calling. They were to go to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth (1:8). They hadn’t left Judea. But with the death of Stephen at the end of chapter 7, crisis hits, and everyone is scattered. It was no longer safe to remain near Jerusalem, and so the first thing we read about is Philip preaching to Samaria. That’s right, the next stop on Jesus’ list. It is a crisis that drives the disciples back to their calling, and just like that they are back on track to fulfilling the mission that God has set before them.