Sermons on Acts 8:23:

The Puzzle Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Feb 25, 2018

The story in Acts 8, that tells of Philip's preaching in Samaria resulting in an Evangelism Explosion, contains 3 puzzles that many folks overlook. What are these puzzles and what can they teach us about our walk with Christ?

OPEN: People have created puzzles for centuries. There’ve been crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Rubik's cube, and scads of others in all shapes and sizes. The better the puzzle, the more difficult it is to solve, and by that standard, one of the Holy Grails of such puzzles is this one: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:3-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Are You For Real? Series

Contributed by Troy Walliser on Nov 6, 2020

The same offer of salvation made to Simon is made to you: REPENT and pray to the Lord to be FORGIVEN.

Are You For Real? Acts 8:9-24 On June 13, 1994, Nicholas Barclay who is pictured here was playing basketball in a local park in San Antonio, TX. Then, he was gone. For over 3 years he had not been seen or heard from. Then, amazingly, his family received a phone call from authorities in Spain ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-24

Denomination: Baptist

Pattern Of Conversion 2 Series

Contributed by Ron Freeman, Evangelist on Dec 13, 2021

To establish that Philip’s preaching of Christ in the city of Samaria was the beginning of his preaching of the Great Commission and the Holy Spirit’s revelation of the “pattern of conversion,” designed to save all believers by God’s grace through the faith in Christ.

INTRODUCTION Outline. 1. Hear of the faith. 2. Believe in the gospel. 3. Repent of sins. 4. Confess faith in Christ. 5. Be Baptized into Christ Introductory Remarks. 1. The "gift" of salvation is given to all by God's grace, not by our faith or works of merit. Salvation is not given ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Simon Says

Contributed by Dean Meadows on Apr 8, 2022

This is a sermon that deals with how close someone can come to accepting Christ but still be lost.

Simon Says! I assume everyone here at one time or another has played the game Simons say. One person calls out the commands but unless you add the phrase, “Simon Says” to it, you are not to do it. It was the jumping on one foot that always got me. My grandbabies love to play it with me. Today we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: *other

Acts Of The Apostles (11 Of 39)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 14, 2022

Chapters 6 and 7, told us how God used the great deacon, Stephen, and how he gave his life for the gospel.

Now we are going to study about how that affected the church. When some people who belong to church die, it does not have much of an impact on God's work, because they did not love the Lord, or His church. But when a man like Stephen dies, it leaves a vacuum for some time. Look at verse ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

An Outline Of Acts 8:1-25

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Sep 3, 2021

The first section of Acts 8 describes briefly the persecution against the Church after Stephen's death and the results of Philip's ministry to a city in Samaria. This outline covers some of what he did there.

Introduction: Acts 8 contains two events in the life of Philip, most likely another one of the original seven men called deacons. This first section relates how believers were “scattered abroad” after the death of Stephen (see Acts 7) and how Philip went to two very different places. Prologue: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Pure & The Phony Series

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Sep 5, 2021

'The Pure & The Phony' Acts chapter 8 verses 1-24 - sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: A wrong view of Christians (vs 1-8) A wrong view of self (vs 9-11) A wrong view of salvation (vs 12-13) A wrong view of the Holy Spirit (vs 14-23) A wrong view of sin (vs 22-24) SERMON BODY: Ill: • When architect Sir Christopher Wren. • Designed the interior of Windsor Town Hall ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-24

Denomination: Brethren

Sermon On Bitterness

Contributed by William Meakin on Sep 7, 2022

Bitterness is defined as anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly.

Jagadish “Jaggi” Vasudev, better known by the honorific title “Sadhguru,” an Indian yoga guru and proponent of spirituality once remarked: “To forgive does not mean to forget. To forgive means not to carry any bitterness in you, because that destroys your life.” Ephesians 4:31-32 reminds us: “Let ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:23, Romans 3:14, Matthew 6:14-15, Job 7:11

Simon Magus Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Sep 10, 2022

Simon magus, also known as Simon the Sorcerer or the Magician, was a religious figure whose confrontation with Peter is recorded in Acts 8:9–24. The act of simony, or paying for the position, is named after Simon, who tried to buy his way into the power of the Apostles.

Simon Magnus Simon and Peter were intense rivals until Simon challenged Peter's authority and fell out of the sky. Simon magus, also known as Simon the Sorcerer or the Magician, was a religious figure whose confrontation with Peter is recorded in Acts 8:9–24. The act of simony, or paying for ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-24

Denomination: Baptist

Misplaced Trust And The God Who Never Fails

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Jun 28, 2025

This sermon warns against placing our trust in human leaders, reputation, or spiritual gifts, reminding us that true holiness and steadfast faith can only be found by fixing our eyes on Christ alone and walking in humble obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Misplaced Trust and the God who Never Fails Matthew 23:1-10; Acts 8:14-23; 3 John 1:9-10; 1 Samuel 8:1-7; Luke 22:31-34 To be “holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15) is no light command—it’s a high calling that reaches into every corner of our lives. In the Old Testament alone, Israel was given 613 ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-10, Acts 8:14-23, 3 John 1:9-10, 1 Samuel 8:1-7, Luke 22:31-34  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Making Of A Counterfeit

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Jul 17, 2025

Fake believers

The making of a counterfeit believer Acts 8:15-25 Good morning everyone, Glad you have joined us. Please turn in your bibles to Acts chapter 8:9-25 As you are turning there, I will test some of your memories- Do you remember years back when they improved the formula for Coke a Cola? The Original ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:15-25

Denomination: Nazarene

I'll Buy That

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Oct 21, 2025

Simon wanted to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit

I’ll Buy That Acts 8:18-25 I heard a story about a man who went into an antique shop in San Francisco, and on the floor, he noticed what appeared to be an ancient Chinese vase. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a priceless relic from the Ming dynasty. He thought, “The owner has no idea ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Forgiveness And Love PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 6, 2025

God’s grace is a free gift we cannot earn or buy; it transforms our hearts from striving and bitterness to rest, faith, and love.

If you’ve ever tried to buy a birthday gift for someone who already has everything, you know the head-scratching feeling it brings. What do you give the person who lacks nothing? Now lift your eyes a little higher and imagine bringing your best to the God who has never needed a thing. We sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:20-23

Topics: Bitterness, Sin

The Results Of The First Church’s Persecution Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Mar 4, 2024

The 1st church scattered under persecution – but they were not defeated – nor were they afraid! They had a drive to proclaim what Jesus had done outside their safe place, exactly as Jesus said they would.

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 10 The Results of the First Church’s Persecution Acts 8:1-25 Dismiss children for nursery (under 4) and children’s church (ages 4-7) No Wed night for adults this week – resuming Mar 13th! (Ecclesiastes) Introduction - Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Faith That Does Not Save Series

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Sep 27, 2024

Acts 8:9-25 teaches us about a faith that does not save.

Introduction Years ago, I read a story about the famous outlaw Jesse James (1847-1882). He killed a man in a bank robbery and, shortly after that incident, professed faith in Jesus and was baptized at the Kearney Baptist Church in Kearney, Missouri (the church where his father had once served as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:9-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed