INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. The Promise of Christ to Samaria
2. The Preaching of Christ in Samaria
3. The Pardon of Christ in Samaria
Introductory Remarks.
1. Today's lesson will discuss a theme: “The Samaritan’s Conversion.” This is the second lesson in a series of messages regarding New Testament conversions in the Book of Acts. The Samaritans are the new real example of the Book of Acts conversions. This came as a result of the persecutions of Stephen by Saul and the church in Jerusalem being “scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles,” Acts 8:1-3. The disciples “went everywhere preaching the word,” Acts 8:5. Philip, one of the first deacons in the church of Christ, “went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them,” Acts 8:5.
2. First, we will consider the promise of Christ to Samaria. Recall Jesus' teaching and work in the city of Samaria. He told his disciples about this work: “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work,” John 4:34. Jesus went into this city by the woman's invitation at the well, John 4:39-43. Our Lord laid a sure foundation in this city regarding his name and him being the promised Messiah, John 4:29, 42. Now, Philip will be called upon by God to “fulfill the promise of Christ” in this city. Notice our Lord’s promise: “And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth,” Acts 1:8.
3. Secondly, we will notice the preaching of Christ in Samaria. Philip went into the city and preached “Christ unto them,” Acts 8:5. Luke writes: “And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice(s) came out of many possessed, and many taken with palsies and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city,” Acts 8:5-8. The preaching of Christ brings healing and great joy!
4. Finally, we will describe the pardon of Christ in Samaria. Luke writes: “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. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done,” Acts 8:12-13. The preaching of Philip consisted of the kingdom of God, the name of Jesus Christ, faith and baptism. We have seen this “pattern” already in the conversion of those on the Day of Pentecost. They too heard preaching in the “name of Jesus, the Messiah's kingdom and priesthood, repentance and baptism for the remission of sins.” There can be no question that Philip was preaching the same message to these people in Samaria. Let’s consider our first thought, the promise of Christ to Samaria.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE PROMISE OF CHRIST TO SAMARIA
A. The Limited Commission. During the ministry of Jesus, there was a limited commission. This commission forbade any preaching to the Gentiles and Samaritans. Notice Jesus: “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither (gold), silver, or brass in your purses. Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into a house, salute it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it is not, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable…,” Matthew 10:5-14.
1. Limited Commission. This commission did not require the gift of tongues.
2. They were preaching to their people, the Jews.
B. Christ's visit to Samaria. Do you remember that Christ met the woman at the well? He was invited into the city and preached there, John 4:28-43. Recall our lesson, “I Must Need to Go Through Samaria?”
C. The promise of Christ to Samaria. Christ promised to preach the gospel to the city of Samaria. He told his apostles before His ascension: “But ye (apostles) shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost comes upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth,” Acts 1:8; Luke 24:44-49.
1. ILLUSTRATION: The Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20.
2. This commission required the gift of tongues, Mark 16:14-20.
3. Thus, the reason for their empowering on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1-4.
D. Philip fulfilled Christ’s promise to Samaria. God chose Philip to preach the gospel in Samaria. Notice: “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city,” Acts 8:5-8. Afterward,
1. The apostles (Peter and John) were sent to oversee the work in Samaria and impart spiritual gifts to the disciples so that they could perform miracles and magnify God.
2. Lying on of the hands, Acts 8:14-17; Acts 19:1-7.
3. These apostles (and the early church) had problems preaching to the Samaritans and the Gentiles everywhere. Recall Peter’s call to Cornelius’ house. And the backlash following his return to Jerusalem, Acts 10:1ff; Acts 11:1-18.
E. Church at Antioch. The apostles were still in Jerusalem, Acts 8:1. The scattering of the saints caused the gospel to be preached elsewhere. It took the persecution of Paul and the death of Stephen to get the church to move out of Jerusalem, Acts 8:2-4. They (the disciples) went everywhere preaching the word, Acts 8:4. This scattering and preaching established the church of Christ in Antioch.
1. This scattering started the real work among the Gentiles, Acts 11:19-20. These disciples preached Christ to others besides the Jews only.
2. The church at Jerusalem used Barnabas to oversee the work in Antioch, Acts 11:22-24. This was a pattern for the New Testament church.
3. Barnabas, a man from this country, was successful in his work among the church, Acts 4:36-37. He was from Cyprus and was part of the first Missionary Team sent from Antioch to the Gentiles.
4. He found Paul and brought him to Antioch to help in his work at Antioch, Acts 11:25. ILLUSTRATION: The Disciples called Christians first at Antioch, Acts 11:26.
5. The Antioch church would advance the cause of Christ throughout the whole world. It would oversee three missionary journeys that would take the gospel of Christ into Europe, Africa, and Asia. These evangelistic efforts would be responsible for reaching the entire Gentile world.
ILLUSTRATION: The Holy Spirit directed the brethren to separate Paul and Barnabas for the work He had called them to do, Acts 13:1-3. Let’s now notice Philip’s preaching of Christ in Samaria.
II THE PREACHING OF CHRIST IN SAMARIA
A. Philip went down to Samaria. “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them,” Acts 8:4. Here we have Philip, one of the first deacons, now in Samaria preaching Christ unto them. Illustrate: The Laying On of Hands, Acts 6:1-8. It took the laying on of hands of the apostles for the Holy Ghost to grant these specific gifts of the Spirit, Acts 8:14-19.
B. Philip preached Christ unto them. “And there was great joy in that city,” Acts 8:4, 5.
C. What did he preach? Luke makes the message that was preached in the city clear. He preached Christ unto them. While preaching Christ, a clear message was delivered. Notice how Luke describes his preaching: “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,” Acts 8:12. The message consisted of:
1. The kingdom of God. It is important to note that preaching the kingdom of God began during Jesus's early ministry and continued until his ascension into heaven. Notice the preaching of the kingdom of God:
a. Christ preached the kingdom of God was “at hand,” Matthew 4:17.
b. Apostles preached the kingdom of heaven was “at hand,” Matthew 10:7.
c. Seventy preached the kingdom of God was “nigh,” Luke 10:9.
d. Apostles would not taste death until the kingdom of God had come, Mark 9:1.
e. Apostles inquired of the kingdom of God of Christ before his ascension, Acts 1:1-8.
f. Jesus promised those “born again” would go into the kingdom of God, John 3:1-5. In our next lesson, “The Ethiopian’s Conversion,” we will deal in depth with the “new birth” and the “kingdom of God.” We will see in practice what Jesus taught Nicodemus that night regarding the “new birth” and its necessity for the believer’s “entrance into the kingdom of God.”
g. Philip preached the kingdom of God to the Samaritan people. Therefore, it had arrived, and they had become members of Acts 8:12. See also Acts 14:22, 19:8, 20:25, and Colossians 1:13.
2. The name of Jesus Christ. Preaching the name of Jesus was in keeping with Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:38. Paul instructs us: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him,” Colossians 3:17.
3. This resulted in both men and women being baptized. The preaching of Christ must include faith and baptism. This is the requirement of the “Great Commission,” Matthew 28:18-20. Philip’s preaching and call to conversion were the same as Peter’s on the Day of Pentecost. The Samaritan’s conversion followed the same “pattern of conversion” as other believers in the Book of Acts.
D. Another message in Samaria. There was, however, another message and messenger in the city of Samaria. Simon the sorcerer had bewitched the people of Samaria.
1. Luke first mentions: “But there was a certain man, called Simon, which before time in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him, they had regard because he had bewitched them with sorceries for a long time,” Acts 8:9-11. I want you to understand that there are opposing forces when one preaches Christ. Some may be because of ignorance; others may be Satanic. In this case, Simon’s message was from Satan. Notice:
a. He bewitched the people with sorcery.
b. He appeared to be some “great one.”
c. The people gave heed, saying, “This man is the great power of God.”
d. Because he bewitched them with sorceries.
e. There are forces at work today, all attempting to oppose Christ's teaching. Our takeaway is that the man of God does not have to use sorcery to win the people. The message of Christ itself will convict the sinner's hearts and cause them to believe and desire to be baptized. Philip had the “Holy Spirit and the Power of God” in his ministry, Acts 6:3-8. This was possible because they “were set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them,” Acts 6:6; Acts 19:6; 2 Timothy 1:6-7.
2. Luke further mentions: “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done,” Acts 8:13. Simon also heard Philip’s preaching; beheld the miracles and signs, and he also:
a. Believed and was
b. Baptized.
c. Continued with Philip.
d. Behold the miracles and signs that were done.
E. Preaching of Christ. Therefore, the preaching of Christ in the city of Samaria included:
1. The Kingdom of God.
2. The name of Jesus Christ.
3. Belief in Christ, and
4. Baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ.”
5. How can anyone preach Christ today and not include these indisputable components in their message? Is it possible to preach Christ without mentioning the necessity of the kingdom of God, the name of Jesus, faith in Christ, and baptism? Any preaching of Christ that does not entail these unquestionable truths are merely “good words and fair speeches” designed to “deceive the hearts of the simple,” Romans 16:17-18. Remember, Jesus laid the foundation of the kingdom of God and Himself as being the Messiah with the woman at the well and His subsequent visit to Samaria. Let’s consider the pardon of Christ for the city of Samaria.
III THE PARDON OF CHRIST IN SAMARIA
A. Now when the apostles heard. Luke writes: “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they came down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then they laid their hands on them and received the Holy Ghost,” Acts 8:14-17. Now, here are the facts:
1. The apostles heard Samaria (the people) receiving the word of God (through Philip's preaching). They had heard, believed, and obeyed the gospel of Christ.
a. Recall what this meant in Acts 2:41. What was involved in the Pentecostal’s “receiving the word of God?” You remember, after Peter instructed them what to do in answering their question, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter, “with many other words testified and exhorted that they should save themselves from this untoward generation,” Acts 2:40.
b. Then they (the Pentecostals): “That gladly received his (Peter’s) word, were baptized: and the same day there was added unto them about three thousand souls,” Acts 2:41. Simple spoken, these Samaritans believed the teaching of Philip and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, just like those repentant believers on Pentecost. Therefore, they too were added to those 3000 souls, the body of Christ, the church of Christ in Jerusalem by the Lord, Acts 2:41, 47. The Lord had brought salvation to Samaria through the preaching of “Philip the evangelist,” Acts 21:8.
c. Therefore, the Samaritan’s baptism was for the same reason as those on Pentecost. And, that was: “for the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38. A “pattern of conversions" emerges in the conversion experiences outlined in the Book of Acts.
2. They sent unto them Peter and John. Luke moves forward in his writings concerning the conversion of the Samaritans by saying: “They (the apostles and church at Jerusalem) sent unto them (Samaria) Peter and John." They went to inspect and oversee the work. This was a work not started by either of the apostles and, therefore, came under the scrutiny of the church in Jerusalem. We will see a similar oversight occur when the church at Jerusalem hears of the work in Antioch, Acts 11:19-21. They will send forth “Barnabas” to inquire of this work, Acts 11:22-26.
3. Who, when they were come. Once arriving, “they prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost,” Acts 8:15.
a. Prayed that they might receive the Holy Ghost. These baptized believers had received the “remission of their sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost” but had not received gifts from the Holy Spirit. This was something reserved for the apostles in the first century. We see its first practice when appointing the first "deacons" in the church of Christ, at Jerusalem, Acts 6:6-8.
b. He was fallen upon none of them. Luke uses another word to describe this phenomenon. Notice: “(For as yet He (the Holy Ghost) was fallen (Gr: epipipto) upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus)."
1) The word “fallen” in this verse means to “fall upon one, i.e., to seize, take possession of him; to receive inspiration or impulse from the Holy Spirit.” This “falling upon” would be seen in some fashion, like, i.e., speaking in tongues or prophesying, as in Acts 10:44-48; Acts 19:1-7.
2) The Holy Spirit imparted to these believers some “spiritual gifts” through the hands of the apostles (Peter and John), Acts 8:17. This is mentioned elsewhere in the bible as something that was imparted to believers by the Holy Spirit through the hands of the apostles, Romans 1:11; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 12:1, and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
c. They (the Samaritans) only were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Luke points out that "they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." Just like those on Pentecost, “they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32, Ephesians 1:12-13. You recall that baptism is done "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."
d. After they had laid their hands upon them, they were given spiritual gifts from the Holy Ghost. If you recall, in our lesson “Will All Good People Be Saved?” we discussed the words “filled” and “fallen” to explain the Holy Spirit’s work by His indwelling presence and outward manifestation of his work within the life of the believers. As we progress in this lesson, Luke points out Simon’s misunderstanding of Peter and John’s work among these new converts. His jealous heart leads him to offer them money for this power. When he saw this was possible through the hands of the apostles.
B. When Simon saw. Notice: “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost,” Acts 8:18-19.
C. Peter said unto him. “Thy money perishes with thee because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God,” Acts 8:20-21. These gifts were given by the Holy Ghost as determined by God.
1. ILLUSTRATION: Gifts of the Holy Ghost, Hebrews 2:1-4. To be used for His glory and honor and the edification of the body of Christ.
2. Paul reminds us: “Let all things be done unto edifying,” 1 Corinthians 14:26.
3. These gifts consisted of gifts given by Christ, i.e., divine officers, operations, and objectives, Ephesians 4:11-16.
4. Gifts consist of ministries given through grace, as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith, Romans 12:3-8. These Samaritans were also given “spiritual gifts” and ministries to edify the body of Christ.
D. Repent of this wickedness. “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee, for I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity,” Acts 8:22-23. Simon’s heart was not right before God.
E. Simon answered Peter. “Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me,” Acts 8:24. Then the apostles, Peter and John depart and return to Jerusalem preaching to the Samaritans, in many villages, Acts 8:25.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. The Promise of Christ to Samaria
2. The Preaching of Christ in Samaria
3. The Pardon of Christ in Samaria
B. Summarize main points.
1. First, we considered the promise of Christ to Samaria. Recall Jesus' teaching and work in the city of Samaria. He told his disciples about this work: “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work,” John 4:34. Jesus went into this city by the woman's invitation at the well, John 4:39-43. Our Lord laid a sure foundation in this city regarding His name and Him being the promised Messiah, John 4:29, 42. Now, Philip will be called upon by God to “fulfill the promise of Christ” in this city. Notice our Lord’s promise: “And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth,” Acts 1:8.
2. Secondly, we noticed the preaching of Christ in Samaria. Philip went into the city and preached “Christ unto them,” Acts 8:5. Luke writes: “And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice(s) came out of many possessed, and many taken with palsies and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city,” Acts 8:5-8. The preaching of Christ brings healing and great joy!
3. Finally, we described the pardon of Christ in Samaria. Luke writes: “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. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done,” Acts 8:12-13. The preaching of Philip consisted of the kingdom of God, the name of Jesus Christ, faith and baptism. We have seen this “pattern” already in the conversion of those on the Day of Pentecost. They too heard preaching in the “name of Jesus, the Messiah's kingdom and priesthood, repentance and baptism for the remission of sins." There can be no question that Philip was preaching the same message to these people in Samaria.
C. Review the plan of salvation through this lesson.
D. Exhortation. Like Peter, I, too, “With many other words do testify and exhort, saying: save yourselves from this untoward generation.”
E. Motivation. We love you here at this congregation of God’s people and want the best for your life and your family. We invite you now to come and respond to God's love and his Son's death. What you do today will have lasting benefits for you and perhaps for those you love, whether family members or friends.
The sermon was updated by Ron Freeman, Evangelist, on 9/8/2024
