The Samaritan Pentecost
Acts 8:5-25
5 Then
Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For 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. 8 And
there was great joy in that city. 9 But there was a certain man,
called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the
people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To
whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is
the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that
of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12 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. 13
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with
Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received
the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when
they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the
name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and
they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through
laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them
money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay
hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 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. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this
matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent
therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine
heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the
gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered
Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye
have spoken come upon me. 25 And they, when they had testified and
preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel
in many villages of the Samaritans.
Introduction:
One of the Significant
Turning Points and Transitions in the Book of Acts
The Second of the
Four “Pentecosts” in the Book of Acts
Involves the
First Major Geographical Shift in the Book of Acts
The Entrance and
Introduction of another non-Apostolic preacher in the Book of Acts
The Issues
related to Paragraphing and Chapter Divisions
Outline:
I. The Ministry of Philip in
Samaria (8:5-8) - Joy
II. The Conversion of Simon the Magician (8:9-13)
- Wonder
III. The Samaritan Pentecost (8:14-17) - Spirit
IV. The Apostolic Confrontation of Simon the
former Magician (8:18-24) - Repentance
V. The Apostolic Ministry in Samaria and Return
to Jerusalem (8:25) - Gospel
Transition: Let us now consider this remarkable,
exceptional and attention getting episode as the foundation of the Church is
laid outside of Jerusalem.
I. The Ministry
of Philip in Samaria (8:5-8) - Joy
5 Then
Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For 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. 8 And
there was great joy in that city.
1. The Gospel
Ministry by Phillip in Samaria (8:5)
2. The Samaritan
Response to the Gospel Ministry (8:6-7)
3. The Blessed
Result of the Gospel Ministry in Samaria (8:8)
1. The Gospel Ministry by Phillip in Samaria
(8:5)
Then Philip went down to the city of
Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
1) The significance of Samaria and the
Samaritans in Scripture:
Mentioned in 16 books of the
Bible (OT: 12 - 5 history and 7 prophets; NT: 4 - 3 Gospels and Acts)
Mentioned in 56 chapters of the
Bible (OT: 46 - history 26 and prophets 20; NT: 10 - Gospels 6 and Acts 4)
Mentioned in 135 verses of the
Bible (OT: 115 - history 80 and prophets 35; NT: 20 - Gospels 12 and Acts 8)
Most mentions found in 2 Kings
15, 17; John 4; and 2 Kings 10 (8 each).
Second most mentions found in 2
Kings 10 (7); then 1 Kings 16, 20, 22; 2 Kings 6, 13; and Acts 8 (5 each).
2) The reversal of significant historical
disagreements between Jews and Samaritans:
The Samaritans rejected Christ
the last time He was there because He was on his way to Jerusalem. Now Christ’s disciples are on their way from
Jerusalem, and the Samaritans receive their witness as they preach Christ to
them.[1]
The Jewish authorities made and
issue by false accusation against Stephen of the Law of Moses and the Temple at
Jerusalem as they had Christ before him.
Now Stephen’s fellow deacon Phillip is preaching Christ to those who
were separated from the Jews over the Law of Moses and the Temple at Jerusalem.
There is no mention of any
objections to this Gospel ministry based on disagreements over what is and is
not the Word of God (Samaritan adherence solely to the Law of Moses, versus the
Jewish “canon” including the Law, the Prophets and the Writings), or over where
God was and was not to be worshipped (Jerusalem for the Jews versus Mount
Gerizim for the Samaritans). The
preaching of Christ is the focus now, and obviously resolves these differences
in a satisfactory manner.
2. The Samaritan Response to the Gospel Ministry
(8:6-7)
6 And
the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For 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.
1) There response was unanimous (8:6a)
And the people with one accord
gave heed unto those things which Philip spake
2) The response was based on recognition of the
miraculous power of the Holy Spirit (8:6b-7)
hearing and seeing the miracles
which he did. 7 For 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.
3. The Blessed Result of the Gospel Ministry in
Samaria (8:8)
And there was great joy in that city.
II. The Conversion of Simon the Magician (8:9-13)
- Wonder
9 But
there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used
sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some
great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the
greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him
they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with
sorceries. 12 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. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was
baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and
signs which were done.
1. The Sorcery of Simon (8:9-11)
2. The Faith of
the Samaritans (8:12)
3. The Wonder of
Simon (8:13)
1. The Sorcery of Simon (8:9-11)
9 But
there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used
sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some
great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the
greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him
they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with
sorceries.
2. The Faith of
the Samaritans (8:12)
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.
3. The Wonder
of Simon (8:13)
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he
was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles
and signs which were done.
“Simon’s
“power” could not compete with the might of the message of Jesus, announced by
Philip. Parallel themes in the descriptions of Simon’s previous influence and
Philip’s ministry invite us to compare and contrast them. Whereas previously
the Samaritans had “paid attention to” Simon….now they “all paid attention to”
what Philip was saying….Whereas they had been “amazed”…by Simon’s magical arts
(vv. 9, 11), now Simon himself was “amazed”…as he saw the miracles performed
through Philip (v.13). Whereas Simon “had boasted that he was someone great...” (v. 9) and had been acclaimed
as “the Power called Great”….he now stood astonished at the “signs
and great acts of power…” taking
place through the gospel (v. 13). Whereas Simon had spoken of himself (v. 9),
Philip spoke “the good news of God’s kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ” (v.
12; cf. v. 5)
Healings
and exorcisms were among the routine wonders that magoi such as Simon claimed to perform. Yet when Philip arrived in
the city, there were still many Samaritans afflicted by unclean spirits and
many “paralytics and cripples” in need of healing (v. 7). Why had Simon not
delivered them from their afflictions? Either he lacked the power he claimed to
have, or the Samaritans lacked the funds to pay for his services. In either case,
his previous career in Samaria had failed to bring to his neighbors the
well-being that promptly resulted from Philip’s ministry in Jesus’ name. It is
no wonder that, when the Messiah’s ambassador arrived, “there was great joy in
that city” (v. 8).
Yet
Luke’s emphasis rests, finally, not on the powerful miracles that impressed
Simon, but on the message that Philip proclaimed in Samaria.”[2]
III. The Samaritan Pentecost (8:14-17) - Spirit
14 Now
when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the
word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they
were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the
name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and
they received the Holy Ghost.
1. The Apostolic
Reaction to the Samaritan News (8:14)
2. The Apostolic
Prayer for the Samaritan Believers (8:15-16)
3. The Apostolic
Blessing of the Samaritan Saints (8:17)
1. The Apostolic Reaction to the Samaritan News
(8:14)
Now when the apostles which were at
Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them
Peter and John:
1) The News of the Evangelization of the
Samaritans reaches the Apostles in Jerusalem
Now when the apostles which were
at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God
2) The Apostles send Peter and John from
Jerusalem to Samaria
they sent unto them Peter and
John
2. The Apostolic Prayer for the Samaritan
Believers (8:15-16)
15 Who,
when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy
Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they
were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
1) The Content of the Apostolic Prayer (8:15)
Who, when they were come down,
prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
2) The Parenthetical Reason for the Apostolic
Prayer (8:16)
(For as yet he was fallen upon
none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
3. The Apostolic Blessing of the Samaritan
Saints (8:17)
Then laid they their hands on them, and
they received the Holy Ghost.
1) The Apostolic Laying on of Hands
Then laid they their hands on
them
2) The Samaritan Reception of the Holy Spirit
and they received the Holy Ghost
IV. The Apostolic Confrontation of Simon the
former Magician (8:18-24) - Repentance
18 And
when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was
given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power,
that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 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. 21 Thou hast
neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of
God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if
perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I
perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these
things which ye have spoken come upon me.
1. The Attempt by Simon to Purchase Apostolic
Power (8:18-19)
2. The Rebuke of
Simon by Peter (8:20-23)
3. The Request of
Simon to Peter (8:24)
1. The Attempt by Simon to Purchase Apostolic
Power (8:18-19)
18 And
when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was
given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that
on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
There is documentation that idolatrous and demonic
“powers” were purchased in the ancient world.
Simon may have gained his this way.
To his way of thinking this was the way things were done.
II. The Partial
Was Done Away In The First Century -
The Signs of
the Apostles in the First Century
See Walter Chantry, Signs
of the Apostles: An Examination of the New
Pentecostalism (Carlisle, PA: Banner
of Truth, 1973), pp. 17-21.[4]
1.
Documentation for the Existence of Apostolic Sign Gifts – The Direct
Connection Between Their Transmission and the Immediate Ministry of the
Apostles
E.g., The Samaritan "Pentecost" and the Advent of the Apostles:
Acts 8:1-24 – [1] And Saul was consenting unto his death.
And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at
Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea
and Samaria, except
the apostles. [2] And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and
made great lamentation over him. [3] As for Saul, he made havock of the church,
entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
[4] Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the
word. [5] Then
Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. [6] And
the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. [7] For 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. [8] And there was great joy in
that city. [9] But there was a certain man, called Simon, which
beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria,
giving out that himself was some great one: [10] To whom they all gave heed,
from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
[11] And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched
them with sorceries. [12] 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. [13] Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized,
he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which
were done. [14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: [15]
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the
Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on
them, and they received the Holy Ghost. [18] And when Simon saw that through
laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them
money, [19] Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he
may receive the Holy Ghost. [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. [21] Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for
thy heart is not right in the sight of God. [22] Repent therefore of this thy
wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven
thee. [23] For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the
bond of iniquity. [24] Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for
me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
The issue of the baptism of the Holy Spirit as subsequent
to regeneration and conversion must be addressed at another time.
Oh, by the way.
Even though modern charismatics and Pentecostals don't presume like
Simon to be able to purchase the power to transmit these gifts, aren't they
presumptuous to assume that they automatically have what only the Apostles
could transmit? This seems to make Simon
appear to be a fool if he was trying to buy what he already had, doesn't it? In the failure of modern continuationists to
make a distinction between: 1) the
original Apostles, 2) those who received the gift via the original Apostles,
and 3) all other believers, have they not assumed something akin to Simon's
error, or was Simon a bigger fool than he already appears to be in the Biblical
account?
What happened in the Samaritan "Pentecost" is
identical on this count to all of the other "Pentecosts", that the
Apostles were present, and were the focus. This is particularly comparable to
the final ends of the earth "Pentecost" at Ephesus.
2. The Reality
of the Signs of an Apostle:
The
qualifications of an Apostle - Acts 1:21–27
Heb.
2:3-4 - 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great
salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed
unto us by them that heard him; 4
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and
wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to
his own will?[5]
Acts 2:43 - And
fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
2 Cor. 12:11-13 - [11] I am become a fool in glorying; ye
have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am
I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. [12] Truly the signs of an
apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
[13] For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be
that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
Rom. 15:17-19 - 17
I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which
pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those
things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by
word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit
of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I
have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
Gal. 3:5
- He therefore that
ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3. The
Impartation of the Signs of an Apostle:
Romans 1:8-13 – [8] First, I thank my God through Jesus
Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
[9] For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his
Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; [10]
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey
by the will of God to come unto you. [11] For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some
spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; [12] That is, that
I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
[13] Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to
come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also,
even as among other Gentiles.
1) Have you ever met an Apostle?
I mean, have you done so personally, face to face, in
real life? He would have to be very old,
say, about 2,000 years old! Or was it
someone who pretended to have something that it is impossible for them to
have? This would have to be someone who
presumes to take a title, an office, and a gift to themselves that they are
totally unqualified for based on the explicit statements of God's Word (Acts
1:15-26, etc.). Yes, there are some of
them critters around. I call them
"Wannabe apostles" with a little "A". You can call them whatever you want to, but
calling a dandelion a rose does not make it a rose. The only way you can "meet" an
Apostle today is in their writings!
Then, if you are converted to Christ by what you read and so become a
Christian, if you are truly born again as a believer in Jesus Christ, you will
meet the Apostles face to face in glory.
Other than that I don't want to hear about any of you meeting any
"Wannabe apostles"! If I did I
would have to go to them and confront them from the Word of God exposing them
as false apostles, as posers, and warn them of their condemnation.
2) Has an Apostle ever laid his hands on
you?
I take it then that would be a "No"?
Then there is no way that you can possibly have "the
signs of an Apostle"! No way! Do you get it now? Do you see the foolishness of any in any
generation following the death of the last Apostle who pretended to possess the
Apostolic sign gifts? I certainly hope
so!
Can I put it to you like Dikembe Mutombo does? Pretend that I am 7'2" tall and weigh
260 lbs., and am waving my forefinger at you saying, "Not in my
house! No, no, no! Not today!"[6]
One final query on this subject:
How many Apostles were there?
Look at Rev. 21:14 -
"And the wall of the city
had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the
Lamb."
Now tell me how many Apostles there are.
Are we forgetting somebody? Oh, and Paul?
Read what he says about himself!
Then consider 1 Cor. 15:5-11.
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the
twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at
once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen
asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the
apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born
out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not
meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more
abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11
Therefore whether it were I or they,
so we preach, and so ye believed.
Consider what
Paul wrote in Eph. 2:19-22 - "19 Now therefore ye are no more
strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the
household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the
building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the
Spirit."
Now tell me what
part of the building they are. Ask
Pastor Bill Schneider what happens if all you ever do is keep laying the
foundation all over again. The Head of
the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ does not run His construction business that
way!
And yet the continuationists must argue, if they are
consistent, that the Apostolic gift and office continues to this day for the
signs of the Apostles to still be extant.
And so they do, in the face of everything that the Scriptures have to
teach us on this subject.
Mutombo again!
Waving forefinger after blocking shot, "Not in my house! No, no, no!
Not today!"
2. The Rebuke
of Simon by Peter (8:20-23)
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. 21 Thou hast
neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of
God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if
perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I
perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Now Simon is confronted with a reality that he has never
considered.
One may well ask, “How could his money perish with
him? You can’t take it with you, can
you?” And the answer may have to do with
Simon’s family and his inheritance, i.e., that it would leave his heirs
destitute.
The true revelation of his sin-sick heart condition must
have been a frightening thing to one such as Simon, so unused to being exposed
and humbled, and that publicly.
3. The Request
of Simon to Peter (8:24)
24
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these
things which ye have spoken come upon me.
The question is often asked, and hotly debated concerning
whether Simon was a true believer in the first place, and in the second whether
he genuinely repented.
Compare
Acts 6:1-10 - 1 But a certain man named Ananias,
with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept
back part of the price, his wife also
being privy to it, and brought a
certain part, and laid it at the
apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath
Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own?
and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived
this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down,
and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and
carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it
was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was
done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell
me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye
have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them
which have buried thy husband are at
the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then
fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young
men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by
her husband.
Why was not Simon struck dead like Ananias and Sapphira?
If Simon was not a believer, then what are we to say
consistently concerning Ananias and Sapphira, and the difference in how their
sins were handled by the Apostles?
We must also compare many in the Corinthian Church who
were weak and sickly or dead due to unjudged sin against the local Body of
Christ:
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this
bread, and drink this cup of the
Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him
eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh
damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are
weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the
Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry
one for another. 34 And if any man
hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And
the rest will I set in order when I come. (1 Cor. 11:27-34)
V. The Apostolic Ministry in Samaria and Return
to Jerusalem (8:25) - Gospel
25 And they, when they had
testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and
preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
1. The Apostolic
Preaching in the City of Samaria
2. The Apostolic
Preaching in the Villages of Samaria
3. The Apostolic
Return to Jerusalem
1. The
Apostolic Preaching in the City of Samaria
And they, when they had testified and
preached the word of the Lord,
2. The
Apostolic Preaching in the Villages of Samaria
and preached the gospel in many villages of
the Samaritans
3. The
Apostolic Return to Jerusalem
returned to Jerusalem
Conclusion:
I. The Ministry of Philip in Samaria (8:5-8) - Joy
II. The Conversion of
Simon the Magician (8:9-13) - Wonder
III. The Samaritan
Pentecost (8:14-17) - Spirit
IV. The Apostolic
Confrontation of Simon the former Magician (8:18-24) - Repentance
V. The Apostolic
Ministry in Samaria and Return to Jerusalem (8:25) - Gospel
[Sermon preached 24
NOV 2013 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown,
PA.]
Resources:
G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old
Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.
Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W.
Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007)
F. F. Bruce, The
Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd
ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).
I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And
Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New
Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint).
David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, The Pillar New Testament Commentaries,
gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).
John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed.
David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).
Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Vol. 5 in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New
Testament, gen. ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012).
William H. Willimon, Acts, in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching,
series ed. James Luther Mays, New Testament ed. Paul J. Achtemeier (Louisville,
KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010).
Samaria, Samaritans
and the Samaritan Pentateuch:
A Selected Bibliography
Robert T. Anderson, and Terry Giles, The Keepers: An
Introduction to the History and Culture of the Samaritans, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2002).
John Bowman, The Samaritan Problem: Studies In The
Relationships Of Samaritanism, Judaism, And Early Christianity, Pittsburgh
Theological Monograph Series,
No. 4, Franz Delitsch Lectures, Vol.
4, 1959, trans. Alfred M. Johnson, Jr. from Samaritanische Probleme: Studien zum Verhältnis von Samaritanertum,
Judentum und Urchristentum, Franz Delitzsch-Vorlesungen (Pittsburgh: Pickwick Press, 1975; n.p.:
W. Kohlhammer Verlag, 1967).
Gleason L. Archer, Jr., A Survey of Old Testament
Introduction, rev. ed. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1964, 1974), pp. 44, 59, and
265.
Kenneth E. Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes:
Cultural Studies in the Gospels (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic,
2008), pp. 200-216, and 284-297.
Kenneth E. Bailey, Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes: A
Literary-Cultural Approach to the Parables of Luke, combined ed., 2 vols.
in 1 (Grand Rapids: William B.
Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976, 1980, 1983), 2:33-56.
William E. Barton, “Circumcision
Among The Samaritans”, Bibliotheca Sacra 65:260 (Oct 1908), pp.
694-710.
William E. Barton, “The
History And Religion Of The Samaritans”, Bibliotheca Sacra 63:251
(Jul 1906), pp. 385-426.
William E. Barton, “Mount
Gerizim The One True Sanctuary”, Bibliotheca Sacra 64:255 (Jul
1907), pp. 489-518.
William E. Barton, “The Samaritan Pentateuch”, Bibliotheca Sacra 60:240 (Oct 1903), pp. 601-632.
William E. Barton, “The
Samaritan Sabbath”, Bibliotheca Sacra 65:259 (Jul 1908), pp.
430-444.
William E. Barton, “The War And The Samaritan Colony”, Bibliotheca Sacra 78:309 (Jan 1921), pp. 1-22.
William E. Barton, “The War And The Samaritan Colony”, Bibliotheca Sacra 78:309 (Jan 1921), pp. 1-22.
E. M. Blaiklock, “Samaria” and “Samaritans”, in The Zondervan
Pictorial Bible Dictionary, gen ed. Merrill C. Tenney, rev. ed. (Grand
Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1963, 1964, 1967), pp. 744-777.
C. K. Barrett, ed. New Testament
Background: Selected Documents (Harper & Row, Publishers, n.d.; 1961
reprint of original by S.P.C.K., London, 1956), pp. 108, 121, 123, and 129.
John Bowman, The Samaritan Problem: Studies In The
Relationships Of Samaritanism, Judaism, And Early Christianity, Pittsburgh
Theological Monograph Series,
No. 4, Franz Delitsch Lectures, Vol.
4, 1959, trans. Alfred M. Johnson, Jr. from Samaritanische Probleme: Studien zum Verhältnis von Samaritanertum,
Judentum und Urchristentum, Franz Delitzsch-Vorlesungen (Pittsburgh: Pickwick Press, 1975; n.p.:
W. Kohlhammer Verlag, 1967).
Wayne A. Brindle, “The Origin and History of the
Samaritans”, Grace Theological Journal 5:1 (Spring 1984), pp. 47-75.
F. F. Bruce, Answers to Questions (Grand Rapids:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1972), pg. 77.
F. F. Bruce, New Testament History (Garden City,
NY: Anchor Books, 1969), pp. 37, 81, 159-160, 169, 185, 217, 227-230, 342-343,
and 345.
Alan David Crown and Reinhard Pummer, A Bibliography
Of The Samaritans: Revised Expanded and Annotated, 3rd ed., ATLA Bibliography Series, Issue 51 (Metuchen, NJ: The American Theological
Library Association and The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1984, 1993, 2005).
Richard R. De Ridder, Discipling the Nations
(Grand Rapids: Baker, 1975), 51, 76, 78, 99, 146, 184, 191, 196, and 217.
Alfred Edersheim, Sketches
of Jewish Social Life In the Days of Christ (Grand Rapids: William B.
Eerdmans Publishing Co., n.d.), pp. 12-13.
W. Ewing, “Samaria, City of” and “Samaria, Country of”,
in The Classic Bible Dictionary, ed. Jay P. Green, Sr. (Lafayette, IN:
Sovereign Grace Trust Fund, 1988), pp. 979-980; see also brief uncredited
article “Samaritans”, pg. 980.
William Ewing, “The Samaritans And Their Sacred Law”, Bibliotheca
Sacra 79:316 (Oct 1922), pp. 418-451.
A. Gelston, “Samaritans”, in The New Bible Dictionary,
eds. J. D. Douglas, F. F. Bruce, J. I. Packer, R. V. G. Tasker, and D. J.
Wiseman (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1962), pp. 1131-1132.
James M. Hamilton, Jr., God’s Glory In Salvation
Through Judgment (Wheaton: Crossway, 2010), pg. 431.
Everett F. Harrison, Introduction to the New Testament
(Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1964, 1971), pp. 4, 11, 13-14,
32, and 206.
Dennis E. Johnson, The
Message of Acts in the History of Redemption (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R
Publishing, 1997), pp. 8 (14n9), 96-98, and 170-172.
K. A. Kitchen, The Bible In Its World: The Bible &
Archaeology Today (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1977), pp. 15,
110-113, and 125.
Sylvia Mann, “The Samaritans - A Living Link With The Past,
Part I”, Bible and Spade (First Run) 6:3 (Summer 1977), pp. 77-83.
Sylvia Mann, “The Samaritans - A Living Link With The
Past, Part II”, Bible and Spade (First Run) 6:4 (Autumn 1977), pp.
105-111.
Eugene H. Merrill, An Historical Survey of the Old Testament
(Nutley, NJ: The Craig Press, 1966), pg. 251.
G. Frederick Owen, Abraham to the Middle-East Crisis,
4th rev. ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1939, 1957), pp.
73-75, 138, and 153.
Charles F. Pfeiffer, Baker’s Bible Atlas, 2nd rev.
ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1961, 1973, 1979), pp. 32, 50, 56, 58-61,
67, 97, 151-152, 154, 165-166, 174, 183, 188, 192, 202, 231, and 259.
Siegfried J. Schwantes, A Short History of the Ancient
Near East (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1965), pp. 102, 123, 125,
166-167, 170, 172, and 174.
Merrill C. Tenney, New Testament Survey (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1961;
rev. The New Testament: An Historical and Analytic Survey, 1953), pp.
23-24, 35, 187, 210-211, 230, 242, 249, and 348.
Thomas R. Schreiner, The King In His Beauty: A
Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments (Grand Rapids: Baker
Academic, 2013), pp. 376, and 520.
William Smith, A Dictionary of the Bible Comprising
its Antiquities, Biography, Geography, Natural History and Literature with the
lastest researches and references to the Revised Version of the New Testament,
eds. F. N. Peloubet and M. A. Peloubet, rev. ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Publishing House, 1948; n.p.: Porter and Coates, 1884), pp. 582-585, s.v.
“Samaria”, “Samaria, Country of “, “Samaritans”, and “Samaritan Pentateuch”.
Bruce K. Waltke, “The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Text
of the Old Testament”, in New Perspectives On The Old Testament, ed. J.
Barton Payne, Evangelical Theological
Society Supplementary Volumes, Symposium
Series: #3 (Waco, TX: Word Books, 1970), pp. 212-29-39.
Charles William Wilson, “Samaria” and “Samaria, Territory
of”, in A Dictionary of the Bible,
Dealing with its Language, Literature, and Contents, Including the Biblical
Theology, ed. James Hastings, 5 vols. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers,
n.d.; 1988 reprint ed. of 1898 orig. by T&T Clark, Edinburgh), 4:374-376.
D. J. Wiseman, “Samaria”, in The New Bible Dictionary,
eds. J. D. Douglas, F. F. Bruce, J. I. Packer, R. V. G. Tasker, and D. J.
Wiseman (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1962), pp. 1130-1131.
Leon J. Wood, A Survey of Israel’s History (Grand
Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970), pp. 84, 86, 169n4, 309, 310n27, 311,
318, 327n77, 334, 377, 394, 397, and 401-403.
Soli Deo Gloria,
John T. “Jack” Jeffery
Pastor, Wayside Gospel Chapel
Greentown, PA
19 NOV 2013
[1] “Reading Luke’s gospel and
Acts together, we observe that the Gospel traces Jesus’ movement toward
Jerusalem (Luke 9:51; 13:22; 17:11; 19:11),while Acts traces the gospel’s
spread away from Jerusalem (Acts 8:1, 26, 40; 9:19, 32; 10:1; 11:19;
13:4).” Dennis E. Johnson, The Message of Acts in the History of
Redemption (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1997), pg. 14, note 9.
[2] Dennis E. Johnson, The Message of Acts in the History of
Redemption (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1997), pp. 170-171.
[3] An excerpt from John T. Jeffery, “The Cessation of
Tongues, the Termination of
"the Signs of the
Apostles", and the Continuation of Counterfeit Miracles”, presented
February 23, 2013 at Faith
Baptist Fellowship, 1397 Easton Turnpike, Lake
Ariel, PA 18436. Copyright 2013 by the
author.
[4] See also Benjamin
B. Warfield, Counterfeit Miracles (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons,
1918; Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1972; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1953 as Miracles: Yesterday and Today), pp. 21-25.
[5] "In Hebrews 2:3–4 the
writer reflects on the apostles who as first generation Christians had their
message authenticated by special sign gifts: "God also bearing them
witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of
the Holy Ghost, according to his own will." Very possibly the ability to
speak in tongues and the gift of healing were among these gifts. All these
authenticating gifts had ceased when Hebrews was written before A.D. 70." Manfred E. Kober, "Spiritual Gifts: Essential, Expedient or
Extra-Biblical?" Faith Pulpit (April 1988); on Faith Baptist Theological Seminary
(Ankeny, IA) at http://www.faith.edu/resources/publications/faith-pulpit/popup/text/print/638
[accessed 15 JAN 2013].
[6] Source: recent GEICO insurance TV commercial that aired
during FEB 2013. See the ad on YouTube
at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_0fyUYB3cA
[accessed 20 FEB 2013]; also see Wikipedia
at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dikembe_Mutombo
[accessed 20 FEB 2013].
