Acts 8 - What is the Gospel

Over the next few weeks we are going to stay right here in Acts 8. There is so much here that, I believe is vital for us as a church to ponder on.

Like: What is the Gospel / How does the Gospel work / What is the difference between the work of the Spirit in applying the Gospel and in Empowering us to share the Gospel?

Next week we’ll discover how God accomplished the Gospel

Then finally, we will look at the mission of the Gospel and the power to accomplish that mission.

Today we are asking the question; “What is the Gospel?”.

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Acts 8:4–25 ESV

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now 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 on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

Syncretism of the Samaritans

Explain how the Assyrian religions mixed with the Jewish faith in Yahweh.

The magic of Simon

The magic being described here is the work of a fraud. A man selling himself as great for fame and power through tricks and manipulation.

Modern Syncretism –

Add Jesus to my philosophy, my life, my belief system. He becomes one of the family gods.

American Syncretism –

Add Jesus to my worship of manna (Money)

· Add Jesus to my worship of Nike (Victory),

· Add Jesus to my worship of Mars (War and riches),

· add Jesus to my worship of Baal (Killing of our children),

· add Jesus to my worship of Jupiter. (The God of Empire, the supreme general, the god who builds and protects empires, he was the god of the military and the god of politics – Signified by a Eagle)

· Add Jesus to the buffet of gods and call myself a believer.

These gods no longer have their old names in these post-religious times we live in but, we still sacrifice our lives and the lives of our family and others for them daily.

Syncretism always leads to a buffet of desserts with no nutritional value.

Like the magic of Simon today America is full of people who will sell you blessings for the right price.

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What did Phillip proclaim that was so different than what the Samaritans already had?

Acts 8:4 ESV

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.

Syncretism and hucksters may promise hope, but it always leaves you in despair.

What did Philip proclaim that led to so many people being full of joy?

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What Is The Gospel:

Acts 8:12 ESV

But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

What does Gospel mean?

1 Samuel 31:8–9 ESV

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. So they cut off his head and stripped off his armor and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people.

Gospel was a political term used to describe news the people would rejoice at.

Here the good news to the Philistines was the death of the leader of their enemy.

Isaiah 52:7 ESV

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

The Goods news of Yahweh is He has defeated the enemies and he reigns.

This good news brings PEACE, HAPPINESS, SALVATION (RESCUE).

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Who are the enemies of God and why is their defeat such great news?

Sin –

Hata – To go astray from the original intent. God created man in His image, sin is therefore to go astray from bearing His image in our life.

Pesha – To go astray out of rebellion

Death –

Death is the result of sin. It is not so much because God kills those who sin but, rather because to rebel from God’s Image is to become like the animals. It leads to chaos and death.

The gods -

Eph 6:10-12

Deut 32:7-8

Psa 82:1-7

Isa 14:12-15

Luke 10:18

The fallen heavenly host, Satan and others, lead the nations astray from the way of God. They entice nations to war, steal, and oppress. They create cultures where people give them worship and blaspheme Yahweh. Humanity becomes trapped under their influence and begins to take on their image rather than the image of Yahweh.

Through our sins, death and the principalities humanity are born into slavery to sin, slavery to worship of false gods, and slavery to death. In times past these so-called gods made themselves known through religions, now they hide behind the curtain of culture, entrapping, enticing, and using humanity for their own perverse bidding.

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When Jesus said the Kingdom of God was at hand, he was saying the Reign of Yahweh over the Principalities, the forgiveness of sin, and freedom from death has arrived through him.

This is the Good News – This is the Gospel

Isaiah 52:7 ESV

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Next week we will look at how God defeated his enemies and reigns over the cosmos.

This week, I want you to begin to think deeply about this.

How has your faith in Jesus been polluted with the worship of other gods?

What gods need to be dethroned in your life?

Is your life centered on this God news that God reigns or is your life motivated by another, lesser gospel?