Daily Scripture Reading Acts 8:4-25
The great commission tells us to make disciples of all the nations. However, many nations are athletic rivals, economic competitors, or political enemies. Furthermore, some people groups have intense hatred for other people groups that go back decades or even centuries. These rivalries and competitions create intense emotions that are an impediment to spreading the good news of Jesus to the ends of the earth.
The early believers in Jerusalem had the same problem. Jesus had told them they would be His witnesses in Samaria, but the early believers were Jewish. The Jews and Samaritans did not get along and avoided each other. However, we will read today in Acts 8 that the early believers put aside their cultural differences in order to share Jesus with their enemies. Their love of their enemy is an example we can and should follow.
Chapter seven of the book of Acts told us about the martyrdom of Stephen. There was a young man named Saul who approved of putting Stephen to death, and following that event, went about putting many believing men and women in prison. Many believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
Acts 8:4 ¶ Therefore, those who had been scattered went about, proclaiming the good news of the word.
We read in Acts 1:8 that Jesus told the disciples they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Up to now the events recorded in the Book of Acts took place in Jerusalem. At this point, Acts begins to tell us about them bearing witness in Judea and Samaria.
Acts 8:5 Now Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began preaching Christ to them.
At this point in time the church was comprised mostly of Jews. The Jews and the Samaritans did not get along and they avoided each other. This verse tells us Philip began preaching Christ to the Samaritans. That was a radical act for a Jew. It shows the extent to which Philip’s love for Jesus gave him the ability to put aside a gigantic cultural prejudice.
In our world there are many groups of people who do not get along. Every country has its enemies. We Christians need to emulate Philip and put Christ ahead of our political and cultural stigmas in order to take the gospel to every people group in the world.
Samaria is both a city and a geographical region. Samaria was a city in the region of Samaria. It is about 35 miles / 55 km from Jerusalem to the city of Samaria. That would be about a two day journey.
Acts 8:6 And the crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was being said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was doing.
Acts 8:7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.
Acts 8:8 So there was great joy in that city.
We should also give credit to the Samaritans for being willing to listen to Philip. Their cultural and religious biases would have discouraged them from listening to a message about a Jewish Savior.
Likewise, in our world today many people who need to hear the gospel have to put aside political differences in order to even listen to the gospel if the message is being preached by someone who is from a country that is considered an enemy.
Furthermore, muslims and Arabs consider Jews to be their enemy. In order for them to become Christians, they need to be willing to make Jesus, a Jew, an enemy, the lord of their life.
Acts 8:9 ¶ Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astounding the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great;
Acts 8:10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.”
Simon was a diabolical person who had a lot of influence. Today, there are many actors, musicians, politicians, reporters, and influencers who also wield great sway over many people and are equally odious.
Acts 8:11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astounded them with his magic arts.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly astounded.
The solution to the darkness being promulgated by Simon was the gospel. Likewise, the way to overcome the evil philosophies being promoted in our society is to preach the good news about Jesus.
Acts 8:14 ¶ Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
Acts 8:15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
According to Matthew 28:19, Jesus told the apostles to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For some reason, the believers in Samaria were only baptized in the name of Jesus.
Many Christians today do not grasp the significance of the name under which a person is baptized because they think Christians are the only group that baptizes; therefore, anyone who is dipped in water has been baptized into Christianity. However, many religions practice baptism. Part of the process of converting to Judaism is baptism. Sikhs, Shintos, and Hindis also practice baptism. When a Christian is baptized, it is important to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit so as to make it clear they are being baptized into Christianity, and not some other religion.
Acts 8:17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit had been bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
Acts 8:19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Simon had believed and was baptized, but he had not yet left his pagan mentality.
Acts 8:20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you supposed you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Acts 8:21 You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
Simon thought he could buy a spiritual gift. Peter made it clear he could not.
Acts 8:22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray earnestly to the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
Acts 8:23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of unrighteousness.”
Most Christians probably think no one today is trying to buy a spiritual gift. That is true to an extent. However, every culture values money. The love of money is a temptation to all people in all time periods. It is very easy for people to fall into the mindset of thinking that rich people are wise. Wealthy people generally have more sway and influence than poor people. That power is given to them by poor people; therefore, it is true that to a certain extent all cultures believe money can buy spiritual wisdom and ability.
Acts 8:24 But Simon answered and said, “Pray earnestly to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
Acts 8:25 ¶ So, when they had solemnly borne witness and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were proclaiming the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
The bulk of the region known as Samaria was between the city of Samaria and the city of Jerusalem. Therefore, the apostles walked through many Samaritan villages as they traveled back to Jerusalem.
In order for the apostles to fulfill the great commission, they had to take the gospel message to the Samaritans, a people group that had been enemies of the Jews for many decades.
What nations or people groups are the enemies or competitors of your nation or people group?
In what ways do those rivalries inhibit the promulgation of the gospel message?
What do you need to change about your thinking in order to do your part in fulfilling the great commission?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”