Pastor's Sermon Notes: The Gentile Pentecost (Acts 10:24-48)

The Gentile Pentecost

Acts 10:24-48

²⁴ And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. ²⁵ And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. ²⁶ But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. ²⁸ And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. ²⁹ Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? ³⁰ And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

 ³² Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. ³³ Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. ³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. ³⁶ The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) ³⁷ That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; ³⁸ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: ⁴⁰ Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; ⁴¹ Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. ⁴³ To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. ⁴⁴ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷ Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Introduction:

Review the first half of Acts 10

Outline:

I.  The Sending by Cornelius - Explanation (10:24-33)

II.  The Sermon of Peter - Exposition (10:34-43)

III.  The Spirit on the Gentiles - Evidence (10:44-48)

I.  The Sending by Cornelius - Explanation (10:24-33)

²⁴ And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. ²⁵ And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. ²⁶ But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. ²⁸ And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. ²⁹ Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? ³⁰ And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. ³² Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. ³³ Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

1.  The Meeting (10:24-27)

2.  The Clarification (10:28-29)

3.  The Preparation (10:30-33)

There are two explanations here.  One by Peter, and the other by Cornelius.

1.  The Meeting (10:24-27)

²⁴ And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. ²⁵ And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. ²⁶ But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. ²⁷ And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

1)  ²⁵ And as Peter was coming in….²⁷…. he went in

One small step for Peter (as he went through Cornelius' doorway), one giant leap for the Church![1]

Two possible sources of illustrations of a reality-altering entrance or passage to compare to Peter's entrance into Cornelius' house:

(1)  Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There (1871).  Israel, look at yourself in this looking glass!  Peter has passed through!  Who is viewed as unclean now?

(2)  C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Vol. 1, The Chronicles of Narnia (1950).  The reality that Lucy discovered as she passed into the wardrobe was reacted to with unbelief by her older brother Peter, until he too entered the wardrobe.

The salvation-historical shift exhibited in Peter's passage through the doorway into the home of the Gentile Centurion Cornelius surpasses movement in other socio-economic cultural spheres that would also be astonishing or unheard of:

(1)  from the slavemaster's mansion to the slave's cabin,

(2)  from the Brahmin's palace to the Untouchable's hovel, and, 

(3)  From the Lord's palace to the peasant's cottage.

The salvation-historical shift exhibited in Peter's passage through the doorway into the home of the Gentile Centurion Cornelius was foreshadowed by and "opens the door" to a transcending of Christ's dining with tax-collectors and sinners (Mt. 11:19; Lk. 7:34), and His physical contact with the unclean (Mt. 8:2-3; and the Synoptic parallel in Mk. 1:40-41; Mt. 9:20-22; 14:36; 26:6; and the Synoptic parallel in Mk. 14:3).

Mt. 8:2-3 (Mk. 1:40-41) - ² And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. ³ And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Mt. 9:20-22 - ²⁰ And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: ²¹ For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. ²² But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Mt. 11:19 (Lk:34) - The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Mt. 14:34-36 - ³⁴ And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; ³⁶ And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Mt. 15:22-28 - ²² And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. ²³ But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. ²⁴ But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. ²⁵ Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. ²⁶ But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. ²⁷ And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. ²⁸ Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Mt. 26:6 (Mk. 14:3) - Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

This transitional exhibition of the tearing down of the middle wall of partition indicates that now it is not just the crumbs from the table of Israel that is left for the Gentiles (Mt. 15:22-28). Christ has not just sent His Spirit in this age to the lost sheep of the House of Israel!

May we consider that there were three major phases in the transition from the Old Covenant Temple worship to the New Covenant realities in the Church?

(1)  The veil rent at the death of Christ, 

(2)  the middle wall of partition - understood as fencing the Gentiles out of the Temple proper, and restricting them to the Court of the Gentiles due to their ceremonial uncleanness and uncircumcised state - is now beginning to be perceived as having been removed, and finally, 

(3) the Temple itself destroyed in 70 AD.

2)  ²⁵ ….Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

 ²⁶ But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

What would have led Cornelius to do this?  What was he thinking?  

This may be related directly to what he had been requesting in prayer, which remains an unknown quantity due to details unrevealed in the inspired account.

Notice is made of other occasions in the Scriptures when prostration before created beings was corrected.  Darrell L. Bock[2] along with others makes comparison to Rev. 19:10; and 22:8-9.

Rev. 19:10 - And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Rev. 22:8-9 - ⁸ And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. ⁹ Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

F. F. Bruce notes that the verb is also used in Mt. 8:2; 9:18; 15:25; 18:26; and 20:20, in the sense of “paying homage to someone of whom a favour is being asked”, and not just of "worship" in a religious sense.[3]

A Gentile bowing before a Jew - a fulfillment or "foreshadowing" of the fullfillment of OT prophecies?  On Cornelius bowing down to Peter in relation to OT Millennial prophecies concerning the Gentile nations bowing down to Israel consider the following: 

Is. 45:14 - Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.

Is. 49:22-23 - ²² Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders. ²³ And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. 

Is. 60:14 - The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 

Might what occurred in Acts 10:25 be considered as a "first fruits", foretaste or foreshadowing on an individual level of what will occur on a national scale in the actual Millennial fulfillment of the prophecies listed above?

What Cornelius does before Peter in Acts 10:25 may also be compared in this regard to the following:

Dan. 2:46 - Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel, and commanded that they should offer an oblation and sweet odours unto him.

Acts 16:29 - Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, (the keeper of the prison in Philippi)

2.  The Clarification (10:28-29)

²⁸ And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. ²⁹ Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

This is the crux of the matter!

Why would Peter speak of it being “unlawful” for a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation?  What is this based on?

3.  The Preparation (10:30-33)

³⁰ And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, ³¹ And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

 ³² Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. ³³ Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

We should focus on verse 33!

This is not your normal Sunday morning church service, but maybe…!?!?!

II.  The Sermon of Peter - Exposition (10:34-43)

³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. ³⁶ The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) ³⁷ That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; ³⁸ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: ⁴⁰ Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; ⁴¹ Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. ⁴³ To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

1.  The Wideness of the Gospel (10:34-35)

2.  The Word of the Incarnation (10:36-38)

3.  The Witness of the Apostles (10:39-43)

1.  The Wideness of the Gospel (10:34-35) - accepted with Him

³⁴ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ³⁵ But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

1)  The Impartiality of God’s Grace (10:34)

God is no respecter of persons

This follows on to what Peter had said when he first entered Cornelius’ house in verse 28.

2)  The Basis for God’s Acceptance (10:35)

in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him

How should we understand verse 35, since it seems to base acceptance with God upon our response and works?

Do not lose sight of the fact that this is spoken as a proof of the fact that God is no respecter of persons!

2.  The Word of the Incarnation (10:36-38) - God was with Him

³⁶ The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) ³⁷ That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; ³⁸ How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

1)  The Nature of the Word

(36) The word....(37) That word…

2)  The Proclamation of the Word

(36) …sent….preached….(37)…was published…

3)  The Content of the Word

(36) peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)

(38) How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

3.  The Witness of the Apostles (10:39-43) - whosoever believeth in Him

³⁹ And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: ⁴⁰ Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; ⁴¹ Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. ⁴³ To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

1)  The Particular Identity of the Witnesses (10:39-42)

(39)…we….

(41) Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

(42) And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify…

2)  The Historical Focus of the Witness (10:39-41)

3)  The Soteriological Purpose of the Witness (10:42-43)

III.  The Spirit on the Gentiles - Evidence (10:44-48)

⁴⁴ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷ Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

1.  The Reception of the Holy Spirit (10:44)

2.  The Reaction of the Jewish Christians (10:45-46b)

3.  The Response of the Apostle Peter (10:46c-48)

1.  The Reception of the Holy Spirit (10:44)

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Notice especially what is not included in the inspired record of this event!

Observe what did not happen both prior to and during this “Pentecost”!

2.  The Reaction of the Jewish Christians (10:45-46b)

⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

The circumcison is astonished at the uncircumcision empowered by the Holy Spirit of God.

The purpose of tongues[4] has everything to do with convincing those of the circumcision who did not believe that God was judging their nation, and turning to the Gentiles to provoke them to jealousy. Tongues always has been a sign of the impending judgment of God for breach of covenant, and is always terminated by the dispersion included with that judgment.

3.  The Response of the Apostle Peter (10:46c-48)

Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷ Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

This is one of the most significant events in all of God’s dealings with mankind!

The “middle wall of partition” between Jew and Gentile has been broken down!  Christ is now making it clear by His Spirit that this is an accomplished fact.  Nothing would ever be the same again.  This major covenantal shift is directly tied to the fulfillment of the Abahamic covenant in Christ, the Seed of Abraham.  Here during this era of transition another large piece of the New Covenant reality is being magnificently and unmistakably displayed.

Eph. 2:11-22 - 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 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.

Conclusion:

We should expect to be led to and through the doorways in life by God!

We can count on being surprised by God!

God will open our eyes!

Having our horizons expanded and our misconceptions corrected is part of the process of our sanctification as we interact with the Word of God by the Spirit of God, and relate to other people!

God is in the business of smashing our prejudices!

God is not a racist!

The Gospel of Jesus Christ observes no national boundary lines!

There is absolutely no room for racism of any kind in the Church of Jesus Christ!

I.  The Sending by Cornelius - Explanation (10:24-33)

1.  The Meeting (10:24-27)

2.  The Clarification (10:28-29)

3.  The Preparation (10:30-33)

II.  The Sermon of Peter - Exposition (10:34-43)

1.  The Wideness of the Gospel (10:34-35)

2.  The Word of the Incarnation (10:36-38)

3.  The Witness of the Apostles (10:39-43)

III.  The Spirit on the Gentiles - Evidence (10:44-48)

1.  The Reception of the Holy Spirit (10:44)

2.  The Reaction of the Jewish Christians (10:45-46b)

3.  The Response of the Apostle Peter (10:46c-48)

[Sermon preached 23 FEB 2014 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).

---

[1] Paraphrasing Neil Armstrong’s “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” (21 JUL 1969)  Source:  Natalie Wolchover, “'One Small Step for Man': Was Neil Armstrong Misquoted?” (27 AUG 2012), on

Space at http://www.space.com/17307-neil-armstrong-one-small-step-quote.html [accessed 23 FEB 2014].

[2] Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pg. 393.

[3] The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952), pg. 221.

[4] On this see especially O. Palmer Robertson, “Tongues: Sign of Covenantal Curse and Blessing”, Westminster Theological Journal, Fall 1975, pp. 43-53; and  The Final Word (Banner of Truth, 1993), pp. 41-51.

Pastor's Sermon Notes: The Samaritan Pentecost (Acts 8:5-25)

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.

Excursus:[3]

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.

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

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[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].