The Gospel Goes to Samaria

The Gospel Goes to Samaria

Text: Acts 8:4–25

Main Idea

Through the preaching of the Word and the working of the Spirit, enemies can reconcile, affections can change, and imitators are exposed.

Acts 8:4–25
“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ…”

I. Through the preaching of the Word and working of the Spirit enemies can reconcile.

Acts 8:4–8

A. After persecution scattered the believers, they did not hide—they preached the Word boldly wherever they went.
B. Their scattering was not fear-driven but mission-driven; they wanted others to know Christ.
C. Philip intentionally went to Samaria—a people despised by the Jews as religious half-breeds, treated as outsiders rather than neighbors.
D. This violated God’s command to love the stranger (Leviticus 19:33–34).
E. The Jews treated the Samaritans with contempt rather than brotherly love.
F. As Philip preached, the Spirit confirmed the message through signs and wonders.
G. These signs served to validate the message during the unique, foundational era of the early Church.
H. The Samaritans believed the gospel and were baptized.
I. The gospel still unites divided people today because it reveals our shared need for grace.

II. Through the preaching of the Word and working of the Spirit affections can change.

Acts 8:9–17

A. Luke introduces Simon the magician, a man who amazed the Samaritans with sorcery.
B. The people admired him, believing he displayed “the power of God that is called Great.”
C. But after hearing Philip preach Christ, many Samaritans believed and were baptized.
D. Even Simon professed belief, was baptized, and followed Philip for a time.
E. Peter and John traveled from Jerusalem to affirm the gospel work in Samaria and prayed that the new believers would receive the Holy Spirit.
F. This event mirrors Pentecost and is descriptive of the Church’s formation, not prescriptive for all believers.

• Ephesians 1:13

• 1 Corinthians 12:13
  These passages teach that today believers receive the Holy Spirit at conversion.

III. Through the preaching of the Word and working of the Spirit imitators are exposed.

Acts 8:18–25

A. Simon revealed his true motives by attempting to buy the ability to give the Holy Spirit.
B. Although he looked converted, his request exposed an unchanged heart.
C. Historically, the 1689 Confession would describe Simon as a “temporary believer”—one who professes faith but is not regenerated.
D. Jesus described such individuals in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3–9).
E. Church history suggests Simon later became associated with early Gnosticism.
F. Believers must rely on the Spirit and the Word for discernment, guarding themselves against spiritual deception.

Conclusion

Believers must continue to preach the Word in the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Hebrews 4:12

• Romans 1:16

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17

To proclaim the Word, we must know the Word—and to know the Word, we must read, meditate on, memorize, and rely on the Spirit to illuminate it.

Lectio Divina: 1 Timothy 4:6–16 (Read – Reflect – Respond – Rest)