“WITNESSING IN SAMARIA” Acts 8: 9-25

As we continue our study in the powerful book of Acts of the Holy Spirit, we have discovered the progress of God’s witness as the Gospel moves from Jerusalem (Chapters 1-7) to Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) with Philip going down to Samaria to preach Christ (Chapters 8:5).  Christ instructed His Apostles to witness in Jerusalem (Chapters 1-7), in Judea and Samaria (Chapters 8-12) and then to the uttermost (Chapters 13-28).  However, it took the persecution of the church to scatter the believers in going to Samaria.

God blessed the ministry of Philip by confirming what he said with signs, gifts or miracles (Acts 8:6-7).  Among those who heard the word was Simon, a sorcerer, one who deceived many with the use of sorcery (v. 9).  The same Simon believed like many others in Samaria the preaching of Philip; moreover, he did believe and was baptized but his believing did not culminate into solid trust in Christ (v. 19).   In Jerusalem, upon hearing about the good news in Samaria, and to confirm the account, Peter and John were sent from Jerusalem to lay their hands on the Samaritans; thus, the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the Samaritans as the Jews received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Simon, who probably believed that Christ was only some great power, desired to buy this great power to promote his sorcery (vv. 18-19).  However, Peter greatly rebuked Simon in verse 20: “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”   Peter severely rebuked the remark of Simon, stating that Simon’s heart “is not right with God” (v. 21).  Simon wanted the special power that the Apostles possessed only to profit his sorcery scheme.  Many biblical scholars are in debate as to whether Simon’s belief resulted in genuine trust in Christ.  It is quite possible for many people to possess a knowledge of Christ and yet not trust Him as their Saviour and Lord.   Judas Iscariot is a great example of one who followed Christ and even witnessed some of His miracles, yet he was not a believer.  After their encounter with Simon, Peter and John shared the Word with the Samaritans (v. 25).

In conclusion, as the Word goes forth today, it is my prayer that you would accept the claims of the Gospel.  You might ask, “What is the Gospel?”  In I Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul states the content of the Gospel, that says: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”  And when any man totally trusts Christ and the claims of the Gospel, he is saved, for Romans 10:9 states: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

May God Bless!