Saving the Samaritans

Acts 8:1-25  Recap and additional comments from sermon last week.

Acts 8:1-8 - Philip = 2nd deacon listed in Acts 6. 

Samaritans lived north of Jerusalem = 1/2 Jews (got intermingled when northern tribes exiled by Assyria.  Were scattered all over the Assyrian empire)
Samaritans = despised by the Jews - were considered impure.
However, Philip's move NOT without precedent.  He was preceded by Jesus - John 4 - woman at the well.

Acts 8:12 - "believed, baptized, "Both men and women"!  1st time women were mentioned in the conversion process.

Acts 8:14-17 - Apostles get word .... send Peter and John to check it out.  Were satisfied enough to 'lay on hands', they received the Holy Spirit and were considered equals in the church!!!  - (same signs as at Pentecost)

Acts 8:25 - Peter and John so convinced, they preach to other Samaritan villages on their way back to Jerusalem!

OBSERVATIONS:  (about incident and text)

#1.  Philip went to a despised people

#2.  The Holy Spirit went with him (or before hm?)

#3.  These people had a  PARTIAL knowledge of truth.   (accepted the 1st 5 books of Old Testament, expected Messiah to come - however, to Mt. Gerizim)
Philip and Peter and John jst "filling in hte gaps"
(Paul says this = true of ALL people" - Rom. 1   (Everyone has an inherent knowledge of God)

#4.  The Samaritans were "ripe unto harvest" - John 4:35
Compare the Apostles' earlier visit with Jesus in John 4.  (Jesus talking about the Samaritans)  Sometimes we just don't see (recognize) spiritual ripeness!   

#5.  This movement (ministry/revival) was LAY LED!!  These (Philip, Peter, John) were common folk.
Which = one reason early church grew so widely and rapidly., 
Acts 8:4 - ie.  early church didn't wait on (or depend on) their leadership to spread the Word!!!

SOME LESSONS AND APPLICATIONS FOR US...

#1.  There is no person (or people group) that is beyond Salvation. 
(ie.  beyond the NEED or beyond the POSSIBILITY)
1 Tim. 2:1-4, 2 Pet. 3:9 - here = Samaritans
                                      next = Gentiles!  (chapter 10)

#2.  Therefore, You should not eliminate anyone from your evangelistic efforts.    (acting toward them in love)
Josh said "do you LOVE your enemies?"  (or are you like Jonah?)
1 John 2:2   Rom. 10:9, 13

#3.  When you go (to share, witness) God goes with you.
Matt. 28:19-20 - Great Commission
This doesn't mean you will feel His Presence or SEE the results
Rather = when you share ...God works!! Isa. 55:10-11
Josh said "have some confidence!"  (ie:  in GOD, not necessarily in 'self)

#4.  We are to minister to those in need REGARDLESS  of their openness to the gospel!   Anyone in need regardless of their beliefs.   Luke 10:36-37  (Good Samaritan)  

BUT
#5.  We are also called to SHARE the Gospel Message. 
Josh referred to "friendship evangelism"
Add:  ministry evangelism
         lifestyle evangelism"
        confrontational evangelism
Common denominator = EVANGELISM - Don't miss this!!!
Point = (1)  share gospel so people can make an education decision
            (2)  help fill in their 'blanks' - evangelism = Bridge Illustration

OBJECTION!!  I feel inadequate!!!
On one hand, God's part = convince them.
On the other hand, our part = share the message.  Rom. 10:13-14, 17

Also note: 
Is safe to say that the Apostles inspired Philip  (to accept Christ, become a deacon, become an evangelist)

BUT - here = Philip inspires the Apostles!!  to examine Samaritans, accept their salvation, lay hands on them, and "preach in many Samaritan villages" on way home.

Point here:  Leaders should be source of inspiration and encouragement to you.
However, you can be a source of inspiration and encouragement to them!!

So.... challenge..... As you grow in Christ, develop Christian character, live the Christian life... be sure to:

(1)  pursue a ministry of evangelism
because  (A)  all people need it - Rom. 1:16-17 
 and       (B)  you can do it.   example:  Bridge Illustration  Put confidence in God not self
AND
2)   Pursue a ministry of Encouragement 
because (A)  all people need that also!!  (leaders, followers, baby Christians, Aged Christians!!  NON Christians!!)
and       (B)  you can do it!!!

Closing Scripture:  Gal. 6:9-10

The Gospel Goes to Samaria

 Acts 8:6-8

Recap:  Stephen (one of first deacons) stoned.  Great persecution followed, led by Saul.

Acts 8:1-3 - this was an awful time.  Persecution went door to door.  2 Tim. 3:12 - "All who want to live a Godly life will suffer persecution."

However, God used the persecution for good. 
Examples:  Acts 1:8  - Judea, Samaria, and ends of the earth
               Joseph- sold into slavery, ends up 2nd in command in Egypt and saves his family from famine

Why some apostles stayed in Jerusalem?  God wanted them in Jerusalem.  Hebraic Jews?  Specific assignment from God.

Acts 8:4  Those persecuting the Christians didn't intend for the word to be spread. 
They messed up.  At first, the movement was contained in Jerusalem, but now, it was all over.
The people were not preaching from a pulpit, but preaching the Gospel as they went. Were faithful witnesses.  Friendship evangelism.

God has a way of taking what some meant for evil and turning it into good.

Acts 8:5 - why Samaria?  Why the Samaritans?  - Acts 1:8
There was hatred of the Jews there. 
Example:
John 4:9 - woman at the well
1)  Built a temple in Gerizim
2)  Samaria was the place for outlaws - Josh. 20:6-7, 21:21
3)  Samaritans rejected everything but the first 5 books of Moses
4)  They opposed Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem's walls
5)  Were half-breed with Gentiles - ethnically and religiously

When the Jews were on route, would go around Samaria rather than passing through.
Luke 9:51-56 - Jesus rejected, James and John want to call down fire, Jesus rebuked them

Jesus, and now Philip had compassion on them.

#1)  Do you love your enemies?
Matt. 5:44 - love your enemies.  Like Jesus and Stephen - "forgive them, don't hold it against them"
Or like Jonah and Nineveh?
Pray for those who persecute you.
Do you pray for your enemies? 
Tyndale - strangled and burned in 1536.  Last words were "Lord, open the King of England's eyes"

Acts 8:6-8
Philip doing signs and wonders just like Stephen had.  Must have been spectacular.

Acts 8:9-13
Was one man (Philip) for a whole city.  A city with a powerful magician (sorcerer).  Simon was powerful.  Amazed the people of Samaria. 
He claimed greatness.  The people thought he was speaking and acting on behalf of God.
He was powerful + his works are real.

 magician?  Sorcery?

Eph. 6:12 - spiritual enemies of God
Examples:
2 Kings 17:17 - sorcery connected to worship of other gods
Acts 13:10 - Paul calls magician "son of the devil and .......  Full of all kinds of deceit and trickery.  >>> perverting the right ways of the Lord"
Acts 16:16-19 - girl possessed by spirit, could tell fortunes
Exodus sorcerers - brought forth snakes, frogs, blood by secret arts
Medium in 1 Sam. 28

When God was doing great things through the apostles, the other side was doing great things, too.

We have a powerful enemy, but He's not ALL powerful.
We serve an ALL-POWERFUL King!!!  (Omnipotent) 
It's amazing what God can do when He changes someone's life.

Acts 8:10-13

2)  Have Some Confidence 

2 Tim. 1:7 - "For God gave us not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control"

Acts 8:14-17
This = very strange.  Howard Marshal, from Aberdeen University, said "perhaps the most extraordinary statement in Acts. - Acts 19:1-6
Why was the Holy Spirit withheld? 
   a)  transitional - Apostles laid hand approving and commissions
   b) showing they're one, it's the same.  Bridges the gap.

Acts 8:18-25
3)  Examine Your Motivation
Psm. 24:3-4
Question:  Was Simon genuine?
Did he really want Christ, or just what the Apostles had and were doing.

Do we want the Kingdom, or are we doing what we do for selfish motives?

Closing:  Eph. 2:1-10

Opposition Begins

 Acts 6:7-10 -->Luke 21:12-18 -->Acts 6:11-14

Acts 6:5 - Stephen appointed as one of the first deacons

"Freedmen" = freed Jews?  people from Libertina in Africa?  Basically people from all over the Roman Empire.

Apostles having great success.  Brings great opposition.

(Cyrene and Alexandria - north Africa)  Celicia, Asia Minor - north and west
(were 480 synagogues in Jerusalem at this time!  Mostly composed of like-minded people)

Side note:  "false witnesses" - Ex. 20:16, 23:1   Deut. 19:16-19

What of accusations of Acts 6:14? 
(1)  Jesus said temple would be destroyed - Mark 13:1-2
      He did NOT say HE would destroy it!

(2)  Jesus said the law will not pass away  - Matt. 5:17
      But He didn't uphold their interpretation of the Law
Example:  healing on the Sabbath

POINT:  they've take PARTIAL TRUTHS and twisted them to their own use!!
       BEWARE of this!!!!  2 Tim. 2:15    Most cults have some truths

Acts 6:15-7:3
followed by a brief overview of Israel's history.   (covers 2,000 years)  which the listeners already know!!!
We don't know why Stephen did that whole history.

Stephen's Point!! 
On one hand, YES!!  God did choose us, call us, give us the Law, the Land, the Temple.....
However, generation after generation of Jews have shown themselves UNFAITHFUL to that calling, privilege.
Example:  Acts 7:39 

NOW... Stephen makes sudden, hard application!!!
Acts 7:51-8:4

Lessons?? Applications?  for us:

#1.  people are not much different today!  basic makeup = the same.
Jews claimed "good standing" with God based on...
     (1)  Inherited Righteousness - ie.  assumed privileges passed from Fathers; WHO THEY WERE!!!
and
     (2)  Earned Righteousness - ie:  assumed good standing based on their moral stance: 
          WHAT THEY DID (and didn't do)

Compare Americans today:  "I deserve heaven because of..
          (1)  who I am  (inherited)
         (2)  what I do  (don't do)  (earned)

The Gospel says:
       (1)  You are not as righteous as you think, claim!  Rom. 3:23
       (2)  You're (earned) righteousness is NOT (never) sufficient!! - John 14:6

#2.  The Gospel tends to be offensive - example:  Ugly Pill!!!  - have a pill that will cure the "uglies".  Great news.  Bad news = YOU need the pill!!
         However, doesn't give you license to be offensive  (a jerk)

#3.  nevertheless, We are all called to share the Gospel   Acts 8:4 - NOT just the preachers!!

#4.  We cannot predict how people will respond.
Contrast with Acts 2:37 - people were cut to the heart.  

Our job = share
God/Holy Spirit's job = convict, convince, persuade - Isa. 55:10-11

#5.  We are to be true to the Gospel regardless of how people respond.  We are not to withdraw

Corresponding passage:  Luke 21:12-18
Compare Vs, 16 and Vs. 18?  How do we answer that?
Answer:  Luke 21:19
We are never promised not to have persecution, ridicule, etc.