Saturday Acts 8:4-8

Philip takes the gospel to Samaria.

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With the killing of Stephen, a persecution broke out throughout Jerusalem. Most of the Christians fled from the city. Wherever they went, they shared the good news of Jesus Christ.

Philip went to Samaria. Remember Philip from chapter 6. He was one of the seven that was chosen to take care of the problem with the feeding of the widows. Like Stephen, we see him now as a powerful preacher and worker of miracles.

There is an interesting contrast between the ministry of Stephen and of Philip. Stephen preached in Jerusalem which was the center of the Jewish religion. Philip initially after the persecution went to Samaria. The Samaritans and the Jews despised each other. After Solomon was King, Israel split into the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel. The northern kingdom is synonymous with Samaria. The Samaritans made their center of worship at Shechum near Mount Gerizim. Israel was conquered by Assyria and a mixing of the surrounding cultures occurred. The Jews from Judah considered the Samaritans to be half-breeds and religious heretics.

After the Jews returned from the Babylonian exile, they rebuilt the temple (Ezra and Nehemiah). Some Samarians offered to help but were turned away. Samaritans were prohibited from entering the temple area. So, the Samaritans built their own temple at Mount Gerizim. Around 150 BC, the Jews attacked and destroyed the Samaritan temple. The Samaritans retaliated by sneaking into the Jewish temple in the middle of the night and leaving dead bodies in the temple thereby desecrating it. So the Samaritans and the Jews pretty much hated each others guts.

Luke tells us that Philip went to a city in Samaria. He was probably referring to the city of Nablus (Neapolis) which was formerly Shechum. There, he healed people and cast out demons. The people of Samaria listened to him and many believed. To people who have been told that they are outside of God’s love and grace, the gospel is indeed good news.

As we share the gospel with people we need to remember that it really is good news. The gospel is about reconciliation with God.