I Will Build My Church : A Sermon Series on the Book of Acts The Gospel to the Samaritans

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1 I Will Build My Church : A Sermon Series on the Book of Acts The Gospel to the Samaritans Main Passage: Acts 8:4-25 Additional Scriptures: 2 Kings 17:24-41; John 4:1-42; Luke 9:51-56; 10:25-37 INTRODUCTION: THE SAMARITANS Foreign people groups that the king of Assyria resettled in the northern kingdom of Israel after the Israelites were taken into exile (2 Ki 17:24). They worshiped both the Lord and their foreign gods, refusing to change their practices (2 Ki 17:29-41). The Samaritans only held to the Pentateuch (5 books of Moses: Gen. Deut.) and built a temple to the Lord on Mt. Gerizim, whereas the Jews worshiped on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem (John 4:20). Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well, You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. (John 4:22). By Jesus time, they had come to be despised by the Jews and considered half-breeds and idol-worshipers. A Jew would not associate with a Samaritan (John 4:9) and would even take the longer route from Galilee to Jerusalem just to avoid travel through Samaria! Jesus, however, challenged the long-standing cultural views of the Jews towards the Samaritans: o He spent time in Samaria ministering to the woman at the well and her community (John 4); He rebuked His disciples for wanting to destroy Samaritan villages when they would not receive Him (Luke 9:51-56); He told a parable in which the Samaritan traveller ended up being the hero of the story (Luke 10:25-37); He healed ten men of leprosy, of whom only one thanked Him a Samaritan (Luke 17:11-19). o Jesus had told His disciples that they would be His witnesses in Samaria (Acts 1:8). The Good News was for them as well as for the Jews! God s methods for reaching the Samaritans with the Gospel were different from the methods that people would choose to use. Take note that nobody sat down and planned an evangelistic mission to the Samaritans they were focussed on Jerusalem! But God in His divine wisdom knew that the Samaritans were ready to respond to the Gospel, so He allowed and used persecution to scatter His people throughout Samaria and bring salvation to them! One of these key people was a leader in the Jerusalem church named Philip A. Philip the Deacon Becomes Philip the Evangelist (8:4-8) 1) Background a. One of the Seven and a Hellenistic Jew. Philip s initial ministry was to the Hellenistic widows in the daily distribution (See Acts 6:1-6; 21:8). b. Full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3).

2 c. Gifted as an evangelist (Acts 8:5-6, 12, 35, 40; 21:8), worker of miracles and healing (Acts 8:7, 13; 1 Cor. 12:11). d. Later settled in Caesarea and had four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:9). 2) Ministry in Samaria a. Preached the word proclaimed the Christ (8:4,5) i. NOTE: Luke uses the word and the Christ interchangeably to mean the same thing the message about Jesus. More on this below (See logos ) i It is wonderful to see Philip s servant s heart for the Lord. Rather than focus on the difficulty of his situation or mourn his losses, he allowed God to use him where He placed him in every situation (See 1 Tim. 4:2). Though Philip had been called to serve, he also trusted the Holy Spirit to empower him to do the work he was called to do. We, too, must trust that God will call & equip His people for the work of building His kingdom! 1 Cor. 12:4 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them b. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said (the message) (8:6). i. These people had been amazed by another man Simon the Sorcerer and so for them to believe Philip s message, I believe, the Lord enabled Philip to work astounding miracles and healings to demonstrate that the Lord alone is God The miracles led the people to believing the message about Jesus. They didn t just focus on the signs & wonders but accepted the good news about Jesus. This is important because so many today focus on experience and spiritual highs and chasing after faith healers and miracle-workers, yet they want nothing to do with repentance, faith and obedience to the Gospel! B. Simon the Sorcerer 1) Background a. Practiced sorcery (magic) for a long time and amazed the people of Samaria (8:9-11). b. Though the term magus or magi can refer to wise men or astrologers (See Matt. 2), here it likely denotes someone using spells or incantations to control nature and the spirit realm. Simon likely made his livelihood from selling people his elixirs and potions. c. He boasted in his own power and ability, earning the nickname the Great Power. Ironically, when Simon encountered the One true God and the Power of the Holy Spirit working through Philip, he realized what Philip had was the true power and was astonished (8:13). Simon began to follow Philip in the same way that the Samaritans had followed him!

3 C. Samaritan Conversion & Pentecost 1) True Faith Founded on the Gospel a. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (8:12) i. Simon came boasting in his own name, building his own kingdom and leaving the people empty and in bondage; Philip came preaching salvation and freedom from sins in Jesus Name and a place in His eternal kingdom! The people believed the message, repented, and gave evidence of their conversion through baptism 2) Simon Believed Or Did He? a. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. (8:13) i. The fact that Simon is listed separately and there is no object of his faith, along with his astonishment and subscribing superstar status to Philip suggests this was not genuine, saving faith or at best very shallow (See The Parable of the Sower). Simon was caught up in the miraculous and experiential but missed the point; we, too, can be in danger of this when we follow gifted pastors, Bible teachers, evangelists or so-called miracle-workers instead of the One who calls us to Himself Jesus Christ 3) Samaritan Pentecost a. Acts 8: When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. i. At this point in the narrative, Philip is no longer mentioned until 8:26. Once the Apostles Peter and John arrive, Philip is content to fade into the background and allow them to take the lead. He had brought the people to faith in Jesus, now it was time for Peter and John to take his ministry the next step in giving the Holy Spirit to the people. Philip is characteristic of a true servant willing to allow others to take over or step forward, as well as recognizing his own gifting and limitations. 1 Cor. 3:5-7 the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I (Paul) planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

4 i iv. The Apostles did not control the giving of the Holy Spirit (See John 3:6-8), but God chose to act in this way to authenticate the conversion of the Samaritans according to the Word of the Lord Jesus (See Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) the Jerusalem church may have had a hard time accepting their conversion as legitimate due to the long-standing racial prejudices. This is one of only three instances of the Spirit being given through the laying on of hands in Acts two by an apostle (Acts 8:17; 19:5-6) and once by Ananias, a non-apostle (Acts 9:17). In each case, the Gospel was breaking into new territory outside of Jerusalem & Israel and may have needed this affirmation from God to the church that He was behind it. In every other case, the Spirit came without warning (Acts 2:1-4) and at the time of belief/conversion/baptism (Acts 2:38-39; 10:44-48; 16:31-34) to authenticate the reception of the message of Jesus Christ. b. Acts 2: Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off for all whom the Lord our God will call. D. Simon the Syncretist i. Much of Acts is descriptive of how God moved in the early days of the church, but is not to be taken as the normative experience. The giving of the Spirit at different times was for important historical and theological reasons. Now that we are post-pentecost, the normative experience is the Spirit being given to each believer at the moment of conversion (See 1 Cor.12:13; Eph. 4:4-6). Religious syncretism exhibits blending of two or more religious belief systems into a new system, or the incorporation into a religious tradition of beliefs from unrelated traditions (Wikipedia). o Analogies: synchronized swimming, synchronizing watches/electronic devices Was Simon truly a believer? This section will look at what the Scripture says regarding Simon. I believe it will become clear from the text that Simon never truly possessed saving faith. 1) Old Habits Die Hard a. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles hands, he offered them money 19 and said, Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit. (8:18-19) i. As a good Samaritan, Simon had been raised in a culture of syncretists (See 2 Ki 17:24-41). He had been taught to worship Yahweh and the gods of the nations (e.g. Greek gods, occultism, etc.). These habits did not go away automatically with his believing and subsequent baptism. Simon s own words betray his unconverted heart! He was used to using magic to manipulate and control others and to earn wealth he had done so

5 for a long time (8:11). Now he is simply applying his old ways of thinking to this new life in Christ, proving that he doesn t understand the necessity of repentance and a transformed heart and mind. He is looking at the Holy Spirit as some kind of magical power that he can use and abuse for his own purposes, not as the third Person of the Trinity who needs to be honoured. i The truth is that we all struggle, to some degree, with syncretism and need to put off our old ways of thinking and behaving. We tend to (in our flesh) think of God as someone to be used to do our bidding (like a genie in a bottle) instead of One to whom we must bow and worship and love and follow. Rom. 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 2) A Severe Rebuke a. Peter answered: May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! (8:20) i. May your money perish with you to argyrion sou syn soi eie eis apoleian = lit. To hell with you and your money! 1 Tim. 6:5, 9 people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. b. You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. (8:21) i. Part meris = share (something) in common 2 Cor. 6:15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? Share kleros = share, place, inheritance kleroo = to be chosen, appointed (See John 15:16) kleronomos = heir, one who inherits kleronomia = inheritance, can refer to inheritance connected to salvation in Jesus Christ Gal. 3:9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. Gal. 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

6 Gal. 3:26-27, So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham s seed, and heirs according to the promise. i Ministry (typically in NT) diakonia = service, ministry Acts 6:1 their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution (diakonia) of food. Acts 6:2 It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry (diakonia) of the word of God in order to wait on tables (diakonein). Acts 6:4 prayer and the ministry (diakonia) of the word. iv. Ministry in 8:21 logos = word, word of God John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word (logos), and the Word (logos) was with God, and the Word (logos) was God. v. your heart is not right before God. This would appear to indicate that Simon s heart had never truly changed as a result of genuine repentance. He did not lose his salvation; he never possessed it to begin with. A true believer can never lose their inheritance! John 10: you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 3) A Call to Repent a. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. (8:22-23) i. Peter finally tells Simon: Your heart is not right repent and pray! There was still an opportunity for mercy if Simon would respond appropriately. 4) A Shallow Response = False Conversion a. Then Simon answered, Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me. (8:24) i. We are left wondering if Simon ever truly repented, but his response to Peter is less than hopeful, for he refuses to pray himself, asking Peter to pray for

7 him. Church tradition bears witness that Simon s status became elevated in the early church to the point of being the Father of all Heretics. 1 This is instructive because no one can save another. Each person must personally repent of their sins and choose to follow Jesus; we cannot do it for someone else. E. The Gospel in Samaria After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. (8:25) o This is the last time we see John mentioned in the book of Acts (though he was the last Apostle to die), yet here again we see the effect of the Gospel in transforming the heart and actions of a true disciple 1) John: Son of Thunder a. Mark 3: These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means sons of thunder ) i. In Bible times, a person s name often indicated something of their character/personality or was prophetic of what they would become. Here we see Jesus naming James and John sons of thunder why? b. Luke 9: As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them? 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village. i. This hostile encounter with the Samaritans late in Jesus ministry drew immediate fire from James and John they were ready to call fire down from heaven to destroy these ungrateful, disrespectful Samaritans! Yet Jesus rebuked them for wanting to destroy those for whom He was about to die. It is significant that John is the one mentioned with Peter as preaching the Gospel of peace in many Samaritan villages the very area where he once had wanted to destroy men s lives! This is because John s heart had been transformed by the love of Christ and the power of the Gospel! 2) John: Apostle of Love a. 1 John 4:7-8 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 Eckey as quoted in Darrell Bock. Acts. Grand Rapids: 2007, p.327.

8 i. The son of thunder became the Apostle of love through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit! F. Application 1) True Vs. False Professions of Faith making our calling and election sure a. Matt. 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? 23 Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers! b. 2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you unless, of course, you fail the test? c. See 2 Peter 1: Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2) The Holy Spirit: A Deposit Guaranteeing Our Inheritance a. 2 Cor. 1: Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 3) Syncretism Vs. The Gospel a. Matt. 6:24 No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. i. Syncretism at its heart is Jesus+ anything! It is holding allegiance to two opposing belief systems or behaviours at the same time. We all do it to some degree and are called to repent and be transformed by the Gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit! 4) Mission to our Samaria s those who are like us but that we tend to look down upon is essential! 5) That we would be ready in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2) like Philip to be used by God in every situation to point others to Jesus.