Acts 8:1 Paul was in complete agreement with the killing of Stephen.
And a great wave of persecution of the believers began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria. 2 (But some godly Jews came and with great sorrow buried Stephen.) 3 Paul was like a wild man, going everywhere to devastate the believers, even entering private homes and dragging out men and women alike and jailing them.
4 But the believers who had fled Jerusalem went everywhere preaching the Good News about Jesus!
When Jesus was giving his final address to his disciples, he told them, “But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power to testify about me with great effect, to the people in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, about my death and resurrection.” Until now, the believers have managed to huddle in Jerusalem. True, their numbers are growing; however, nobody seems ready to leave the city. But when persecution strikes, these people have no choice but to go everywhere and preach the Good News as they go.
5 Philip, for instance, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about Christ. 6 Crowds listened intently to what he had to say because of the miracles he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed, 8 so there was much joy in that city!
Samaria! Ah, Samaria! When the Assyrians decimated the Northern Kingdom, they moved in all kinds of people from other lands to farm the land. These people brought their own religions with them; however, they suffered attacks from lions until they sent for Jewish teachers who taught them the Law of Moses. But the religion of the Samaritans remained a syncretistic one, combining Jewish traditions with idolatry. For the Jews, the Samaritans were dangerous half-breeds. And when the Jews refused to allow the Samaritans to have any hand in rebuilding Jerusalem, the Samaritans reciprocated. For centuries, there was enmity between Jews and Samaritans. Now here’s Philip, one of the other heads of the feeding program in Jerusalem, preaching to Samaritans, doing miracles, casting our demons, and healing all comers. Samaria has never seen anything like this before!
9-11 A man named Simon had formerly been a sorcerer there for many years; he was a very influential, proud man because of the amazing things he could do—in fact, the Samaritan people often spoke of him as the Messiah. 12 But now they believed Philip’s message that Jesus was the Messiah, and his words concerning the Kingdom of God; and many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized and began following Philip wherever he went, and was amazed by the miracles he did.
Now word reaches Jerusalem of revival in Samaria, and Peter and John rush to help Philip. As soon as they arrive, they begin praying for people to receive the Holy Spirit. People’s lives are being transformed and joy is bathing their faces.
14 When the apostles back in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent down Peter and John. 15 As soon as they arrived, they began praying for these new Christians to receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for as yet he had not come upon any of them. For they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw this—that the Holy Spirit was given when the apostles placed their hands upon people’s heads—he offered money to buy this power.
19 “Let me have this power too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”
20 But Peter replied, “Your money perish with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Turn from this great wickedness and pray. Perhaps God will yet forgive your evil thoughts— 23 for I can see that there is jealousy and sin in your heart.”
24 “Pray for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things won’t happen to me.”
25 After testifying and preaching in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, stopping at several Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News to them too.
Simon the magician was enjoying a local reputation as the Messiah until Philip came preaching about Jesus. Swiftly, Simon realized that all his machinations were useless and that Jesus was the true Messiah; however, there was the matter of people receiving the Holy Spirit. If Simon were to give up his pseudo miracles and his demonic involvement, perhaps he could still make profit from praying for people to receive the Holy Spirit. But Peter and John realize Simon’s true motives and confront him. Simon repents; while we hear nothing further, we hope that repentance remains for the rest of Simon’s life. And now Peter and John preach their way back to Jerusalem, going from one Samaritan village to the next.
The Book of Acts focuses a lot on Peter and John; however, don’t overlook Philip. Philip is the one who first went to Samaria, overcoming his strong prejudices, and who began preaching in the Samaritan villages and doing miracles. Peter and John came to help and to strengthen the work, but Jesus remained the focus. Ministry is always a team effort, not a solitary one.
Sometimes God calls us to witness when we don’t want to. During my general surgery residency, we had a patient with chronic abdominal pain whose diagnosis had defied every test and every kind of treatment we could offer. I had discharged this patient and was back in my apartment across the street from the hospital when I got a call that the patient was there and still in pain. I absolutely did not want to dress in my scrubs and go over there; however, God insisted that I go. I was so resistant that I told the Lord that if He didn’t give me the words, I would be sitting there with my teeth in my mouth with nothing to say. (I know, not a model of obedience.) Trudging back to the hospital, I began speaking with this lady. Before I knew it, I was giving this lady part of my testimony about how Jesus had changed my life. Then I prayed for this lady, and suddenly the pain went away entirely. Ten minutes later, the lady’s friends picked her up, and she left for her home two hours away. I firmly believe that lady received Jesus and was healed that day.
Why tell this story? When we give God even a sliver of obedience, He can use it. My attitude was terrible, but I went and God did the rest. Never be afraid to step out, for God can handle your lousy attitudes.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to be obedient, even when you send us to people whom we don’t like. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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