INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. The Promise of Christ to Samaria
2. The Preaching of Christ in Samaria
3. The Pardon of Christ in Samaria
Remarks.
1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing 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 conversions in the Book of Acts. 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 own teaching and work in the city of Samaria. He said to his disciples regarding 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 invitation of the woman 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 in 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 loud voice(s) came out of many that were 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. 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 questions, that Philip was preaching the same message to these people in the city of Samaria. Let’s consider our first thought, the promise of Christ to Samaria.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE PROMISE OF CHIRST TO SAMARIA
A. The Limited Commission. During the ministry of Jesus, there was a limited commission. This commission forbad 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 into 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, nor silver, nor 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 be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, 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. Illustrate: Limited Commission. This commission did not require the gift of tongues.
2. They were preaching to their own people, the Jews.
B. Christ visit to Samaria. 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 Go through Samaria?”
C. The promise of Christ to Samaria. Christ promised the preaching of 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 is come upon you: and ye shall he witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth,” Acts 1:8; Luke 24:44-49.
1. Illustrate: 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 which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice; came out of many that were 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.
1. The apostles were sent to oversee the work in Samaria, and impart unto them spiritual gifts.
2. Illustrate: Lying on of the hands, Acts 8:14-17; Acts 19:1-7.
3. These apostles (and the early church) were having problems preaching unto the Samaritans, and to the Gentiles everywhere. Recall Peter’s call to Cornelius’ house? And the backlash that followed on 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, cause 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 beside 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 being a man from this country was successful in his work among the church, Acts 4:36-37. He was from the country of Cyprus. Illustrate: Missionary Workers.
4. He went and found Paul, and brought him to Antioch to help in his work at Antioch, Acts 11:25. Illustrate: 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. Illustrate: Separate Me Paul and Barnabas, Acts 13:1-3. Let’s now notice Philip’s preaching of Christ in Samaria.
II THE PREACHING OF CHIRST 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 the city of 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 it clear what message was preached in the city. He preached Christ unto them. While preaching Christ, there was a clear message 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 the preaching of the kingdom of God began during the early ministry of Jesus, and continued up 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 to 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 it, Acts 8:12. See also, Acts 14:22; Acts 19:8; Acts 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. Resulted, in both men and women being baptized. The preaching of Christ must include faith and baptism. This is the requirements of the “Great Commission,” Matthew 28:18-20. Philip’s preaching and call to conversion was 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 that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries,” Acts 8:9-11. I want you to understand, 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 of which are attempting to oppose the teaching of Christ. Our take away here is, that the man of God does not have to used sorcery to win the people. The message of Christ itself will convict the hearts of the sinner; 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 himself also:
a. Believed, and was
b. Baptized.
c. Continued with Philip.
d. Beholding the miracles and signs which 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 which 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 into the city of 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 were come 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 laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost,” Acts 8:14-17. Now here are the facts:
1. Apostles heard that Samaria (the people) receiving the word of God (through the preaching of Philip). 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 had 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 the city of Samaria through the preaching of “Philip the evangelist,” Acts 21:8.
c. Therefore, the baptism of the Samaritan’s, 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" is clearly emerging 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 take place when the church at Jerusalem hears of the work going on in the city of 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 for them, 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 during the appointing of 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 in describing 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 mention 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. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. If you recall in our lesson “Will All Good People Be Saved?” we discussed these 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 move forward in this lesson, Luke points out Simon’s misunderstanding of Peter and John’s work among these new converts. His covetous 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 determine by God.
1. Illustrate: Gifts of the Holy Ghost, Hebrews 2:1-4. To be used for His glory and honor; and for 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 for the edification of 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 own teaching and work in the city of Samaria. He said to his disciples regarding 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 invitation of the woman 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 “fulfil 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 in 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 loud voice(s) came out of many that were 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. 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 questions, that Philip was preaching the same message to these people in the city of 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 the love of God and the death of his Son. What you do today will have lasting benefits for you, and perhaps for those whom you love, whether they be family members or friends.
