Gospel Impact in Samaria
Notes
Transcript
A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and amazed the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God.” They were attentive to him because he had amazed them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip, as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he followed Philip everywhere and was amazed as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed.
When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. After they went down there, they prayed for them so that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit because he had not yet come down on any of them. (They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart’s intent may be forgiven. For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by wickedness.”
“Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
So, after they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they traveled back to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
Correction from last week: I said that Philip was an Apostle. He was a Hellenistic Jewish Deacon. The cultural principles that I shared are still accurate. But I still misspoke about his office. I’m sorry about that.
Today, we’re continuing our history lesson about what happened in Samaria when Philip brought Jesus to them.
We are looking at how the gospel impacted Samaria. And just like the 21st century, we will see that in the midst of gospel impact, drama can still occur.
In Acts 8:4-25 we learn three important facts about gospel ministry.
Fact #1...
Even Severely Deceived People Can Be Saved
Even Severely Deceived People Can Be Saved
Before I read the text, let me ask this...
Have you noticed that our society seems to have waves of thought or ideas that change regularly?
Trends come and go, what’s popular now will eventually be overshadowed by what’s popular next month: People get swept up in all sorts of different trends...
Fassion
Politics
News
Issues
Well, the Samaritans were swept up in the deception of, who post Apostolic writers called, Simon Magus. This, is who many say was the founder of the popular gnostic teachings that invaded the church in the first century.
According to later church tradition, Simon became an arch-heretic and founder of the Simonians, a Gnostic sect.
A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and amazed the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great.
“A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city”
Simon deceived many with his magic. Whether it was supernatural or simply parlor tricks, I can’t say. My hunch is that it was a bit of both...
Simon was so talented he “amazed the Samaritan people”.
Not only did he amaze them, but he seemed to amaze himself… To the point he was “claiming to be somebody great.”
Maybe you’ve met someone like that…
They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God.”
His fame spread so wide and deceived people so severely that they said “this man is the great power of God”.
This is a divine title of pagan origin. And it is not a mistake for Simon to claim this nor the people to call him this.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Acts of the Apostles E. The Word Goes to Samaria (8:4–25)
Simon is portrayed here as a satanic figure, whose power is manifested in magic and idolatry
They were attentive to him because he had amazed them with his sorceries for a long time.
Simon’s deception was deep because he had been hustling the people in this Samaritan city for a “long time”…
Well, remember how I said fads come and go. Simon’s 15 minutes of fame here is about to be overshadowed by real eternal power that doesn’t change.
But when they believed Philip, as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
Notice here, that Luke’s emphasis on the people being freed from the deception of Simon is on the message they heard and believed.
Their bondage to Simon was rooted in the magic Simon performed.
Their freedom from Simon is now rooted in the message Philip preached.
The language here is specific and purposeful.
Philip did perform miracles, but Luke’s emphasis here is not on the miracles, but on the message of the gospel that the people believed.
Even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he followed Philip everywhere and was amazed as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed.
“Even Simon himself believed.”
From what people see on the outside, even Simon believed Philip. He probably did have some type of head knowledge. But did it truly sink down to his heart?
Now, notice what it says his focus was on:
“And after he was baptized, he followed Philip everywhere and was amazed as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed.”
Here, Luke describes how Simon followed through with the outside signs of entrance into the family of God (Baptism), which is what everyone there would have seen, but he points out something that is unseen.
He points out what truly “amazed” Simon.
Simon wasn’t amazed by the gospel.
Simon was amazed by the signs and miracles.
The Samaritans, according to Luke’s description, were focussed on the power of the message.
Simon was focused on the visible, physical power.
But now, there is a problem: there is a false convert among the church in Samaria.
Before we see how this is resolved...
Let me give you some Take Aways From These Verses
We should not give up hope on those we know who are deeply deceived by the world.
Whether it’s children who get caught up in the occult (which is essentially what the Samaritans did)
Or if it’s friends and relatives that get more caught up in their politics or philosophies.
So don’t stop praying for your children, your friends and family,
and don’t stop telling them about the love of Christ for sinners.
We can rest knowing that God can see the true heart of people.
I’ve over obsessed over the “authenticity” of professing believers.
This text shows me that God knows and can see motives.
Perhaps you can begin to pray that God would purify his church - meaning, bring to light all those who might threaten our ministry or fellowship.
Then trust God with it.
Even Severely Deceived People Can Be Saved
Even Severely Deceived People Can Be Saved
Fact #2...
Imposters Will Eventually Reveal Their Heart
Imposters Will Eventually Reveal Their Heart
When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
Here, the Church in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to “authenticate” the church in Samaria.
They heard about it. But they needed to see if the reports where true.
Is this real? Is God really bringing the Samaritans into the family of Christ?
After they went down there, they prayed for them so that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit because he had not yet come down on any of them. (They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
So, in order for the Apostles to “authenticate” the church, God needed to “authenticate” it. And that’s exactly what he did.
Some might ask, “why didn’t the Holy Spirit come when they first believed?”
Here is a good argument from the CSB Study Bible
CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 8
Some suggest that God withheld the Holy Spirit from the Samaritans so the apostles could come and witness that even the Samaritans were included in the Christian community.
I like this because it not only highlights the Spirit’s authenticating the church in Samaria, but it also shows how the Spirit broke down all the old animosities and prejudices that existed before.
This had to be a big thing for Peter and John.
So, God’s Spirit is authenticating the church in Samaria by empowering them.
Remember the guy earlier who called himself “the great power of God”??
What about him?
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Here we have the one who called himself “the great power of God” actually witness the great power of God and covet it for himself to use it like he did his sorcery skills.
Simon has shown them his true intentions.
CSB Study Bible: Notes Chapter 8
Here we see Simon’s true heart. He was used to impressing the crowds with magic; now he wanted to impress them with his ability to impart the Holy Spirit.
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 8
Simon shows he has not genuinely understood or submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ. He is interested in possessing the apostles’ power rather than embracing their message.
But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God.
Here, Peter calls Simon out!
He essentially says, “I’m not falling for your tricks Simon.” “I see what you are trying to do”.
Sadly, many charlatans who have invaded the church don’t get called out like Peter calls out Simon. They continue on deceiving and eventually get a big following and deceive loads of people.
Like many prosperity preachers do. And other ‘street magicians’ calling themselves evangelists.
And, in our culture, if someone calls out a charlatan or deceiver, many people rebuke them and say they are being unkind or mean.
When all we are really trying to do is do what Peter did here: protect people
Notice how gracious Peter is though. He’s trying to protect people but also is going to give Simon a chance to be forgiven:
Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart’s intent may be forgiven. For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by wickedness.”
Peter calls Simon to repent, pray for forgiveness, and be forgiven!
Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 8
he still holds out hope to him if he will genuinely turn from his sin and ask the Lord for forgiveness.
This is a great example of true, biblical, church discipline.
You call out imposters and then offer them a chance to repent and either be restored or truly turn to Jesus.
Sadly, most respond to this like Simon. Simon sounds like he’s repentant, but see if you can catch what he does...
“Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
Does Simon “pray to the Lord” for forgiveness?
Does Simon show remorse for what his heart’s desire is?
No…
Instead, he asks Peter to be his Priest...
“you pray for me”, “you change my fate”, “you absolve my sin”.
Simon did not own his sin. Nor did he turn from it and go to God for forgiveness through Christ.
He asked someone to bail him out.
No saint can absolve your sin.
No Apostle.
No Priest.
Forgiveness comes from a truly repentant faith in the gospel of Christ.
Take Aways from these verses.
Don’t resist a godly rebuke…
You may not be an imposter. But every Christian makes mistakes. Even pastors like me.
When someone points out your sin, listen, and prayerfully consider what is being said. Then respond with humility.
We cannot be afraid to practice church discipline
If you are an imposter, be aware that God knows, even if it takes everyone else a while to realize it.
Imposters Will Eventually Reveal Their Heart
Imposters Will Eventually Reveal Their Heart
Fact #3…
Gospel Ministry Must Continue
Gospel Ministry Must Continue
So, after they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they traveled back to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
I like how the narrative moves forward.
It describes how after Peter and John finished their ministry with Philip in this Samaritan city, they went back on their way to Jerusalem preaching the gospel to other Samaritan towns.
They didn’t just book it back home.
They used their traveling back home to continue preaching the gospel to people who needed to hear it.
I bet they viewed every person that they encountered on their way home as someone God was giving them an opportunity to bless.
Also, think about the people whom they are sharing with as they are going home… More Samaritans...
Peter and John are full blooded Jews. And during their time with Jesus, John even had this exchange with Jesus in Luke 9 about Samaritans that refused to see Jesus.
When the days were coming to a close for him to be taken up, he determined to journey to Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead of himself, and on the way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for him. But they did not welcome him, because he determined to journey to Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”
But he turned and rebuked them,
That’s an intense response from James and John.
I think it’s pretty cool that Peter and John are doing ministry in Samaria considering what happened in Luke 9.
Here are some take aways from 8:25
If you have someone in mind to minister to, perhaps consider those who God might want you to reach that are connected with them, or even on your way to them or back home. Like their spouse, their children, or even their neighbor.
I know of people who were planning on reaching a particular person with the gospel who ended up reaching others connected with that person instead or even in addition to the person they had been praying for.
One time I was doing door to door ministry with a group of students and as we were on our way back to the church building, we ended up coming across a guy walking to his parked car. We ended up sharing the gospel with him and I kept in touch with him and reached out to him a few times after that.
We took an opportunity when God presented it.
When you are given an opportunity to bless someone with Christ don’t let previous experiences or even cultural sin’s like prejudices infect your mind and ministry and prevent you from presenting Christ to them.
Gospel Ministry Must Continue
Gospel Ministry Must Continue