Acts 8:1-25

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Gospel Preached by Philip; Simon the Sorcerer

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The profession of Simon is typical of many preachers today.

  2. The conversion of the Samaritans is not typical of the process today.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t think you can buy spiritual gifts or power.

QUESTIONS

  1. What happened as a result of Stephen being stoned?

  2. Samaritans

  3. Who was Philip?

  4. What was the process of conversion for the Samaritans?

  5. What is the typical process of conversion today?

  6. Why was the process of conversion different for the Samaritans?

ANSWERS

  1. “At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Acts 8:1

  2. The Samaritans were not full-blooded Jews. In fact, the Jews despised the Samaritans and had no dealings with Samaritans (John 4:9).

  3. This Philip was appointed as one of the first deacons in Acts 6. He is a different man than Philip the apostle.

  4. They believed – v.12 They were baptized – v. 12 They still did not have the Holy Spirit – v. 16 They received the Holy Spirit when Peter and John laid hands on them – v.17

  5. Today, as with the household of Cornelius in Acts 10, believers receive the Holy Spirit when they believe and then they are baptized. See Ephesians 1:13.

  6. Most likely their unique process was to insure that there would be no questions that the Samaritan believers would be received and included in the same body of Christ as the Jewish believers.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. God was using the persecution of the early Christians to accomplish His will of spreading the good news. See Acts 1:8 and 8:1,4.. God took what seemed like a terrible situation and used it for His glory. How often our Lord works this way! Can you give an example from your life?

CHALLENGE

  1. Many people today, including some preachers, make professions of salvation, but do not truly believe. Only God can judge the hearts of these people. Just make sure your faith is sincere.

KEY VERSES

  • “At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria… Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” Acts 8:1,4

  • “When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.” Acts 8:14



Acts, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsActs 8:1-25