The Book of Acts
The Gospel Comes to Samaria
Introduction:
Not too long after the beginning of the church in Jerusalem, a great
persecution arose against it. (Acts
8:1)
“Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great
persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and
they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria,
except the apostles.” NKJV
This
began with the stoning of Stephen. Those Christians scattered
throughout Judea and Samaria went preaching the word. (Acts
8:4)
“Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the
word.”
NKJV
The Bible records the preaching of one of these, Philip. Read
Acts 6:5. “And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they
chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy spirit, and Philip,
Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from
Antioch,”
NKJV
Text:
Acts 8:5-25
Body:
I.
Christ Is Preached in Samaria
(Acts
8:5-8)
“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to
them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken
by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For
unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were
possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And
there was great joy in that city.”
NKJV
·
The Samaritans lived in an area between Galilee and Judea. They
originated during the days of the Babylonian captivity. While large
numbers of Jews were carried into Babylon, some remained in
Palestine. People from other countries were brought into Palestine
and these Gentiles intermarried with the Jews. The resulting race
was the Samaritans – part Jew, part Gentile. The Jews and the
Gentiles hated each other. (John 4:9) “Then the woman of
Samaria said to Him, ‘How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink
from me, a Samaritan woman?’ For Jews have no dealings with
Samaritans.”
NKJV
·
“Went down from Jerusalem” It was the highest point in the country.
Philip began proclaiming Christ which included such things as His
death and resurrection, His reigning from heaven, and His return one
day.
·
Philip performed miracles to validate what He was preaching. These
miracles included casting out demons. Demons are ruled by Satan and
will one day be cast into hell. (Revelation 20:10) “The devil,
who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone
where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be
tormented day and night forever and ever.”
NKJV
Demon possession was limited to the time of Christ and the
apostles. In letters of the New Testament written to Christians,
there is no mention of demon possession.
·
Multitudes in Samaria responded to the preaching of the word.
See John 4:5, 35. “So He came to a city of Samaria which is called
Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
35Do
you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the
harvest?’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the
fields, for they are already white for harvest!”
NKJV
II.
A Magician Is Converted
(Acts
8:9-13)
“But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced
sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming
that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the
least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the great power of
God.’ And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his
sorceries for a long time. 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. Then Simon himself
also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip,
and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.”
NKJV
·
Simon, the magician, fooled people with illusions. At this period
of time, magic secrets were closely guarded and handed down from
generation to generation. Usually these magicians claimed they
possessed some mystical power. Simon apparently was a very
accomplished magician because many believed that he had great
power. He was a charlatan who no doubt used his abilities to get
money. “Simony” is the buying and selling of a church office.
People today claim to perform miracles and are believed to have
special power. People believe what they want to believe:
astrology, psychics, New Age.
·
Philip came performing “real” miracles, not “fake” ones like Simon.
We see proclaiming Christ included His Kingdom. Baptism was the
entrance into that kingdom.
·
Simon also believed and was baptized just like the Samaritans.
III.
Miraculous Gifts Come to the Samaritans
(Acts
8:14-25)
“Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who,
when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the
Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had
only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid
hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon
saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy
Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power
also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’
But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you
thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You
have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not
right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your
wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be
forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and
bound by iniquity.’ Then Simon answered and said, ‘Pray to the Lord
for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon
me.’ So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord,
they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of
the Samaritans.”
NKJV
·
The apostles Peter and John came down from Jerusalem to bestow upon
these Christians the ability to perform miracles. These were needed
since the New Testament had not yet been completed. (I
Corinthians 13:8-10) “Love never fails. But whether there are
prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will
cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know
in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has
come, then that which is in part will be done away.”
NKJV
·
Simon made a big mistake. (Acts
8:18b-19a)
“he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also,”
Only the apostles could impart miraculous gifts. This power could
not be bought! Simon wanted to be like an apostle. Peter
replied, “May your silver go with you into eternal destruction.”
His heart was crooked before God. This shows a child of God can
fall back in sin and be lost. (II Peter 2:20-22) “For if,
after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the
knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again
entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them
than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to
have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn
from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to
them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own
vomit, and, a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire’ ”
NKJV
·
Repentance and prayer were Simon’s only hope. Bitterness was
poisoning his heart and he was being enslaved by sin. (I
Corinthians 10:12) “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed
lest he fall.”
NKJV
Simon desired the apostles also to pray for him. (James 5:16)
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another,
that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a
righteous man avails much.”
NKJV
Conclusion:
Our text reveals the “Two Laws of Pardon” for the alien sinner and
the erring child of God. The alien sinner is told to believe,
repent, confess, and be immersed. The erring child of God must
repent and pray to God for forgiveness.
Bobby Stafford
September 20, 2015
Acts: Lesson 21 Acts 8:5-25
