Gospel Preaching In The First Century - Philip In The City Of Samaria

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                "GOSPEL PREACHING IN THE FIRST CENTURY"

                     Philip In The City Of Samaria

INTRODUCTION

1. From Peter’s first two sermons, we saw that gospel preaching in the
   first century involved...
   a. Proclaiming the death, burial, resurrection and lordship of Jesus
      Christ
   b. Extolling the character of Jesus, and that He will one day return

2. We also learn from Peter that gospel preaching in the first
   century...
   c. Called on people to respond with faith, repentance, and baptism
   d. Offered the remission of sins, and the refreshing gift of the
      Spirit

2. We now turn to the preaching of Philip, not an apostle but one who...
   a. Served as a "deacon", then as an evangelist - Ac 6:1-7; 8:5; 21:8
   b. Was a man of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom
      - cf. Ac 6:3

[We have two accounts of Philip preaching the gospel of Christ, the
first in the city of Samaria...]

I. THE SETTING

   A. THE GOSPEL SPREADS FROM JERUSALEM...
      1. Prompted by persecution spearheaded by Saul (Paul) - Ac 8:1-3
      2. Those forced to leave Jerusalem take the gospel with them - Ac
         8:4

   B. THE GOSPEL ARRIVES IN SAMARIA...
      1. The former capital and region of the northern kingdom of Israel
         - 1Ki 16:23-24
      2. Populated by Samaritans, with whom Jews had little contact
         - 2Ki 17:24; Jn 4:9
      3. Excluded by the Limited Commission, included in the Great
         Commission - Mt 10:5; 28:19
      4. Jesus preached to them; His servant Philip now does the same
         - Jn 4:1-42; Ac 8:5

   C. THE GOSPEL CONFIRMED WITH SIGNS...
      1. People heeded Philip because of the signs he did - Ac 8:6-8
      2. Simon, a sorcerer, was also impressed - Ac 8:9-11
      3. Fulfilling the purpose of the signs and wonders - cf. Mk
         16:19-20; He 2:3-4

[In such a setting, Philip preached Christ to them (Ac 8:5).  While we
don’t have an actual record of his sermon, we are given sufficient
information to know what his preaching entailed...]

II. THE SERMON

   A. THE KINGDOM OF GOD...
      1. "he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God" - Ac
         8:12
         a. Proclaimed by John and Jesus in their ministries - Mt 3:1-2;
            Mk 1:14-15
         b. Expounded upon by Jesus after His resurrection - Ac 1:3
         c. Later a major theme in Paul’s preaching - Ac 19:8; 20:25;
            28:23,31
      2. What preaching the kingdom of God likely entailed
         a. The need to seek first the kingship and sovereignty of God
            - cf. Mt 6:33
         b. Now being exercised through His Son, Jesus - cf. Mt 28:18;
            Ac 2:36; 5:31
         c. In which they could now participate - cf. Col 1:13; Re 1:9
         d. By responding to the call of the gospel - cf. 1Th 2:12; 2Th
            2:14
         e. Remaining faithful to Christ, even to death - cf. Re 2:10,
            26-27; 3:21

   B. THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST...
      1. "he preached...the name of Jesus Christ" - Ac 8:12
         a. "Jesus" means "savior", and He saves us from our sins - cf.
            Mt 1:21
         b. "Christ" means "anointed", and He is the Anointed One of God
            - cf. Mt 3:16-17; 17:5
      2. "Note that the term name connotes the full revelation of the
         Son of God and that the double name Jesus Christ reveals both
         his earthly ministry and his divine office." - Kistemaker
         a. "Jesus, therefore, is king in the kingdom of God." - ibid.
         b. As Peter proclaimed, Jesus is Lord, Christ, God’s Servant,
            The Holy One, the Just One, the Prince of life, the Prophet
            - Ac 2:36; 3:12-15,22-26

   C. THE RESPONSE...
      1. They "heeded the things spoken by Philip", implying obedience
         - Ac 8:6; cf. He 5:9
      2. Men and women believed and were baptized - Ac 8:12
      3. Even Simon the sorcerer believed and was baptized - Ac 8:13
      4. Which we saw earlier was for the remission of sins - cf. Ac
         2:38

CONCLUSION

1. From Philip’s ministry in the city of Samaria, we learn that gospel
   preaching involved...
   a. Proclaiming the kingdom of God and the name (character) of Jesus
      Christ
   b. Calling on people to believe on Him and to be baptized in His name
      (by His authority)

2. In Philip’s ministry to the Samaritans, we see that he obeyed the
   Great Commission...
   a. Going to other "nations" to preach the gospel - Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15
   b. Making disciples by baptizing them to be saved - Mt 28:19; Mk
      16:16

Given the opportunity to respond to the good news of Jesus Christ, the
Samaritans’ heeded the gospel through faith and baptism, just like the
Jews in Jerusalem.

How about you?  Are you willing to submit to the sovereignty of God now
being exercised through His Son Jesus, by obeying the gospel of Christ?

In our next study, we will examine Philip preaching the gospel in the
Gaza desert...
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