Acts 8: The Gospel in Samaria
Introduction (1) Acts 1:8 you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Samaria mentioned 8 times in Acts, 5 times in Chapter 8 ( Samaritans once, 8:25)
Introduction (2) Stephen Philip 6:5 and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip (+5) 6:10 Preached 8:5 Proclaimed 6:8 7:7 doing great wonders and signs the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith 8:6 saw the signs that he did 8:25 and Samaria and Ethiopian official 8:28
The Gospel in Samaria Acts 8:1-3 1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
The Gospel in Samaria Acts 8:4-8 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.
The Gospel in Samaria Acts 8:9-13, 25 9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the power of God that is called Great. And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptised he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. 25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
The Gospel in Samaria Acts 8:26-40 26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, Go over and join this chariot. So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet (Isaiah 53:7, 8) Then Philip told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptised? And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptised him.
Outline Ref Description Preached Point 8:1-3 Fulfilment of the dispersal command A plan backfires 8:4-13 Philip and a Samaritan city 8:4 the word ; the Christ ; the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ Tested techniques 8:14-25 Apostles investigate - Holy Spirit authenticates 8:25 the gospel A definite proof 8:26-43 Philip and an Ethiopian official 8:35 good news about Jesus Onwards and downwards!
A plan backfires Saul approves of Stephen s execution and ravages the church (8:3) Persecution against the church: the bandwagon develops The church is scattered but not extinguished 4:2 didaskein (teaching) and katangellein (proclaiming) 8:4 euangelizomenoi (bring good news) 8:5 ekeryssen (herald) Increasing Confidence
Country Christian Average Annual Growth Rate Population Growth Rate Net Conversion China 10.86 1.07 9.79% Nepal 10.93 2.19 8.74% Saudi Arabia 9.27 3.58 5.69% Oman 7.62 3.05 4.57% Cambodia 5.87 1.67 4.20% Mongolia 5.96 1.84 4.12% Yemen 7.9 3.37 3.72% Albania 3.71 0.87 2.84% Bhutan 4.6 2.04 2.56% Guinea 4.44 2.27 2.17%
Tested techniques (1) 8:4 went about preaching euangelion is more about the message than the technique, but the technique was gossipping as part of their daily lives, and they gossiped the word (logos)
Tested techniques (2) 8:5 Philip proclaimed the Christ (Messiah) Linked ideas the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ believed, baptised
Tested Techniques (3) Simon the magician appears to believe? James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 8:21 Peter says You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
A definite proof 8:14 Samaria had received the word of God 2:41 those who received his word (in Jerusalem) 11:1 the Gentiles also had received the word of God Peter is significant in all three episodes - the keys of the Kingdom granted to him were being well used! Gentiles Samaritans Jews
A definite proof 2:38 Peter said to them, Repent and be baptised 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 Why are Peter and John here?? Catholic Some pentecostal/ charismatic TCF Baptism Conversion Conversion and receiving the Holy Confirmation Baptism in or of the Spirit Spirit is a one-stage event Peter and John s official visit (who condemned a Samaritan village for not welcoming Jesus, Luke 9:54) shows Samaritans equality Matched with Peter visiting Cornelius in Caesarea in 11:45 Ephesians 1:13 when you heard the word of truth and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit
Onwards and downwards! 8:26 down from Jerusalem to Gaza (60 miles) Eunuch was likely a Jew or Jewish convert Like Luke 24:13-35 - Jesus drew near to two disciples to teach them from the scriptures and who then withdrew suddenly Scroll was of Isaiah including 52:13-53:12 Luke 22:37 Jesus quotes from Isaiah 53 of Himself: And he was numbered with the transgressors. 8:38 they both went down into the water Philip is snatched away and the eunuch resumes his journey: with rejoicing (8:39)
Summary The people Evangelism method Message Philip and a Samaritan city half-jewish, half Gentile Asiatic ordinary citizens reject the prophets mass evangelism 8:12 he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ Philip and an Ethiopian Eunuch Jewish convert African Crown employee reading a prophet personal evangelism 8:35 he told him the good news about Jesus Response 8:12 Believed baptised 8:38 believed baptised Result 8:8 so there was much joy in that city 8:39 went on his way rejoicing
Application Acts 2:38 41 How to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit: The word of God must be heard We must respond: everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself We must receive the word (believe and trust) Water baptism in obedience to Jesus was then the universal act of obedience by all Christians in the New Testament: Christ commanded it (Matthew 28:18 20) and the church practiced it