LESSON SIX

THE SAMARITAN AND PHILIP

ACTS 8:4-17

KEY VERSE: “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received THE WORD OF GOD, they sent Peter and John to them” (Acts 8:14).

As we began this series of study last week, in the spread of the Gospel from

Jerusalem into Judea, our lesson ended with the death of Stephen, who died for the sake of the Gospel (Acts 6-8). When we left off, “the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul” (7:58), before “they stoned Stephen as he was calling on GOD and saying...’LORD, do not charge them with this sin.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep” (vv.59-60).

As Chapter 8:1 tells us, “Saul was consenting to his (Stephen’s) death.” It further reveals the persecution against the church in Jerusalem, which caused all, “except the apostles,” to scatter “throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria” (v.1b).

And as “devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentations over him,” the scripture says, “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison” (v.2-3). It is here that our text for this study starts, as we examine the spread of the Gospel into Samaria, after beginning in Jerusalem and its growth in Judea through Stephen.

If Stephen is to be credited with the spread of the Gospel into Judea, then Philip, also one of the seven deacons (6:5), has to be given credit for the spread of the Gospel into Samaria. For verse 5 tells us, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached CHRIST to them,” after “those who were scattered went everywhere preaching THE WORD” (v.4).

1. THE BEGINNING OF EVANGELISM (Acts 8:4-8).

A popular Gospel song states, “The devil meant it for bad but I’m so glad, GOD meant it for my good.” I reflected upon this as I examined the beginning and development of the church.

Before our text verses, we saw Saul, who was present, as Stephen was stoned (7:58), and even consenting to his death (8:1a). And, after a time of “great persecution arose against the church” in Jerusalem, causing them all to scatter into Judea and Samaria (v.1b), we find Saul now making “havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison” (v.3). This was directed toward the intimidation and destruction of the church in its infancy.

However, as our text begins, we discover that the exact opposite resulted from this persecution. Instead of the church members fleeing and stopping its MISSION, verse 4 says, “those who were scattered went everywhere PREACHING THE WORD.” I’m quite sure that if Saul and the others bent on destroying the church in its early stage knew this would be the result, they wouldn’t have allowed them to leave. For, it was only after they “were scattered,” that “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and PREACHED CHRIST to them” (v.5).

If Philip, and the other church members, had not been ‘forced’ to scatter “throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria” (v.1b), the Samaritans would not have been privileged to ‘see’ and ‘hear’ the miracles Philip did. “For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed” (v.7). Thus, as a result, “the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip...And there was great joy in the city” (vv.6a, 8).

2. EVANGELISM: SEEING AND HEARING LEAD TO BELIEVING (vv.9-13)

From the time of their “EMPOWERMENT” on the Day of Pentecost, when THE HOLY SPIRIT came upon the 120 and filled them with POWER to go with the Gospel and “EVANGELIZE,” the apostles have shared their FAITH with the multitudes resulting in thousands being saved (Acts 1-2).

As WITNESSES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, the apostles have preached, performed miracles, suffered persecution, and united in prayer for HOLY SPIRIT POWER. They have also shared their FAITH and their worldly goods, rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for HIS (JESUS) NAME (Acts 3-5).

The apostles have chosen the first seven deacons by the laying on of hands and prayer, and commissioned them to serve (Acts 6). Stephen, one of the seven deacons, was martyred, as the first ‘evangelist,’ for preaching THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (Acts 7). And finally, the church has been persecuted and scattered to end its growth and development. However, the one unforeseen constant that evolved from this persecution is that as they went the church ‘evangelized,’ winning souls to CHRIST. In other words, here in this section, we find Philip conducting a great soul-winning evangelistic crusade (Acts 8).

But, he encounters an individual, “Simon, who practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great” (8:9). One thing that must be pointed out here is, while verse 9 says that the man simply “claimed to be someone great,” according to verse 10, it was the people who said, “This man is the great power of GOD.” Simon did not make this claim about himself. And, the people only “heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorcery (magic acts) for a long time” (v.11).

However, as we continue in our text, we see that when the people “saw” and “heard” Philip “as he preached the things concerning THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, both men and women were baptized” (v.12). In other words, because of the “EVANGELISM” of Philip, the people were able to “see” the miracles, and “hear” THE WORD OF GOD for themselves. And, as a result, “They BELIEVED.” Not only did the people recognize the TRUE POWER OF GOD and BELIEVE,” according to verse 13 “Simon himself also BELIEVED.”

I propose that Simon knew that what he performed was simply “magic acts” that could be explained; but, in the presence of THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, he recognized ‘the real thing’ when he saw it. Thus, “When he was BAPTIZED he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.”

Even today, if THE BELIEVERS would simply stand steadfast and proclaim THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, in the midst of the “magic acts” of Satan’s demons, ALL THEY THAT “SEE” AND “HEAR” WILL BELIEVE!

3. BAPTISM: PREPARATION TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT (v.14-17)

This final section, I believe, clarifies a common misconception in the church today. It has been argued and debated to no end about the fact that “BAPTISM” and “RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT” happens simultaneously, when one becomes a BELIEVER. However, these verses identify them as two separate and distinct “ENTITIES.” For, our closing verses, 14-16, says, “When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard the Samaria had received THE WORD OF GOD, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had prayed for them that they might receive THE HOLY SPIRIT. For as yet, HE had fallen upon none of them. They had only been BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.” Therefore, it would behoove us, before we close, to briefly examine the correlation between BAPTISM and RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT.

First of all, I propose, it is possible to receive BAPTISM without receiving THE HOLY SPIRIT, but it is impossible to receive THE HOLY SPIRIT without receiving BAPTISM. Let me try to explain my position.

BAPTISM, we find, is a Gospel ordinance by which BELIEVERS commemorate the death, burial, and resurrection of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Through BAPTISM, BELIEVERS give public testimony that they have been crucified with CHRIST, buried with CHRIST, and raised with CHRIST to walk in the newness of life. For Romans 6:3-5 says, “Do not you know that as many of us as were baptized into CHRIST JESUS were baptized into HIS DEATH? Therefore we were buried with HIM through BAPTISM into death, that just as CHRIST was raised from the dead by THE GLORY OF THE FATHER, even so we also should walk in the newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of HIS DEATH, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of HIS RESURRECTION.

It further tells us our BAPTISM means; “the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin” (vv.6b-7). In other words, BAPTISM is directed toward the cleansing of one’s sin, leading to Salvation; and the personal relationship between the BELIEVER and THE SAVIOR. It is an external display of an internal change.

THE HOLY SPIRIT, on the other hand, is the PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF CHRIST upon the earth, abiding in the church by dwelling in the hearts of the BELIEVERS. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE MISSION HAND OF GOD. HE CARRIES OUT THE WORK OF GOD UPON THE EARTH. Therefore, when one “RECEIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT,” he or she has been “CHOSEN” to carry out “A MISSION FOR GOD;” and thus, had to be ‘equipped’ for that MISSION.

We know, according to the scriptures, that THE HOLY SPIRIT speaks (Timothy 4:1), teaches (1 Corinthians 2:3); bears WITNESS (Romans 8:16); makes intercession (Romans 8:26); distributes the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1); and invites the sinner (Revelation 22:17). Therefore, when one “RECEIVES THE HOLY SPIRIT,” then one is being prepared for THE MISSION OF THE SPREADING OF THE WORD AND WORK OF THE FATHER GOD. But, when one is BAPTIZED, then one is simply being prepared TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT!

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours.

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD