The Gospel in Samaria

MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word.” —Acts 8:4

ACTS 4:17

THE severity of the persecution which came upon the early Christians was overruled by the Lord to bring about a wider scope of the witness work. Our memory verse calls attention to this. There was a wide scattering of the believers, but they did not cease to bear witness to the Gospel of Christ. Thus the message was carried to many places which otherwise would not have been reached so soon.

It is a tribute to those early believers that the persecution which they suffered did not dampen their zeal as witnesses for Jesus. Since it was their witness work that led to their persecution, it would have been natural for them to conclude that they would remain silent in their new places of abode. But these earnest followers of the Master were not guided by their natural instincts. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, which impelled them to bear witness to the truth wherever they went. Throughout the age, and today, one of the outstanding evidences of a Spirit-filled life is activity in bearing witness to the Gospel of Christ, the Gospel of the kingdom.

Philip was one of the seven deacons appointed by the apostles to wait on tables. But, like Stephen, he also was a faithful witness for the Gospel of the kingdom. In the scattering of the believers by persecution, he went to Samaria and preached Christ there and performed certain miracles.

The object of the miracles which many of the early believers were able to perform was to help establish the fact that these humble and earnest people were truly the representatives of the Lord. The Samaritans must have been impressed, for the record is that “with one accord [they] gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing, and seeing the miracles which he did.”

They “gave heed” to the message of the kingdom, but this does not mean necessarily that they all became followers of the Master. Jesus had foretold in “The Parable of the Sower” that the “seed” would fall, some by the wayside, some on stony ground, some among thorns, and some on good ground. (Matt: 13:3-8) This was doubtless the situation in Samaria. While all listened with respect, probably only a minority really took the message to heart and devoted themselves to the service of the Lord.

It was a great work which Philip conducted in Samaria. We are told that “unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them; and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.” As a result of this “there was great joy in that city.” (vss. 7,8) This is understandable. What world-wide joy there will be when blessings of the kingdom, foreshadowed by those miracles performed by Jesus, Philip, and others at the beginning of the age, become available to all mankind! Then even death itself will be destroyed.

In Samaria at the time of Philip’s visit there was a sorcerer named Simon. Through deceptive methods he endeavored to have the Samaritans believe that he was a great man. And apparently he had been successful, for we read that “they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.” (vs. 10) When Philip demonstrated that the power of God operated through him, they took heed to him also, perhaps more because of his miracles than because of the message of the Gospel.

Apparently, however, the interest of some of the Samaritans in Philip’s message went deeper than their enthusiasm over Simon, the sorcerer, for the account states, “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.”—vs. 12

The account states that Simon himself also believed and was baptized. Later developments in the case of Simon reveal that his belief was apparently motivated by selfishness. He realized that on account of Philip’s ministry he was losing much of his popularity and his power over the people, and he probably reasoned that his only hope now was to go along with what was taking place, hoping that later he would thus be in a better position to regain his following.

But self-interest has a way of revealing its presence. When Peter and John later visited Samaria, and through their ministry the Holy Spirit came upon the believing Samaritans, Simon offered to pay Peter for the power to bestow this gift. (vss.19-21) He was severely rebuked by Peter, who said to him, “Thy money perish with thee.”—vss. 18-21

QUESTIONS

What circumstances led Philip to preach the Gospel in Samaria?

What was one of the objects of the miracles performed by Jesus and many of his followers at the beginning of the age?

Who was Simon, and why do we feel that his acceptance of Jesus was not sincere?

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