Phillip Preaches Christ In Samaria

Wonder of wonders, the gospel was preached
In Samaria with joyful success;
Erstwhile despised Jewish cousins were reached
By Deacon Phillip’s Spirit-filled witness!
Peter and John were sent to verify,
By laying-on hands, the Spirit to pass;
When soothsayer Simon offered to buy
The Spirit, with evil intent, for cash,
Peter denounced him: “God is not for sale!”
Once hated Samaritans were brothers
To Christian Jews on Jesus’ gospel trail,
As were the Gentiles, and all the others!
And so the first baby-steps were taken
To see that none on earth was forsaken!

“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Phillip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Phillip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in the city.” (Acts 8:4-8) [Please read verses 4-25 of Chapter 8 in your Bible for the complete text.]

Samaria was part of the Holy Land between Galilee and Jerusalem. It was part of the original kingdom of Israel; however, when the ten northern tribes broke away in civil war, followed by capture by the Assyrians, the people left behind intermarried with Canaanites. Jews of the southern tribes despised them; they would go across the Jordan River to pass outside of Samaria. Jesus taught brotherly love and equality for all---Jew and Gentile, men and women, free and slave; He offered salvation to the whole world, not just the Jews of Judea. The old prejudices were very difficult for some Jewish Christians to ignore.

Simon was a magician who had become famous in Samaria by his tricks and wonders. He was astounded by Phillip’s miracles, and “believed” along with the others. Phillip’s power was that furnished him by the Holy Spirit. While many believed in Jesus as Lord, they did not receive the Spirit. Peter and John were sent from Jerusalem to Samaria to verify the sincerity of belief in Jesus. They laid their hands on the heads of the converts, and the Holy Spirit indwelled each of them. Simon offered money to Peter in exchange for laying hands on him, so that he would be able to use the Spirit’s power to make profits for himself. Peter was indignant. He detected the intention of Simon’s heart and denounced him. I believe that many church members of our time are not true believers and will be turned away by God at the final judgment.