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