Acts 8:5
Verse
Context
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Then Philip - One of the seven deacons, Act 6:5, called afterwards, Philip the Evangelist, Act 21:8. The city of Samaria - At this time there was no city of Samaria existing: according to Josephus, Ant. lib. xiii. cap. 10, sect. 3, Hyrcanus had so utterly demolished it as to leave no vestige of it remaining. Herod the Great did afterwards build a city on the same spot of ground; but he called it ΣεβαϚη i.e. Augusta, in compliment to the Emperor Augustus, as Josephus tells us, Ant. lib. xv. cap. 8, sect. 5; War, lib. i. cap. 2. sect. 7; and by this name of Sebast, or Augusta, that city, if meant here, would in all probability have been called, in the same manner as the town called Strato's Tower, (which Herod built on the sea coasts, and to which he gave the name of Caesarea, in compliment to Augustus Caesar), is always called Caesarea, wherever it is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. Bp. Pearce. As Sychem was the very heart and seat of the Samaritan religion, and Mount Gerizim the cathedral church of that sect, it is more likely that it should be intended than any other. See Lightfoot. As the Samaritans received the same law with the Jews, as they also expected the Messiah, as Christ had preached to and converted many of that people, Joh 4:39-42, it was very reasonable that the earliest offers of salvation should be made to them, before any attempt was made to evangelize the Gentiles. The Samaritans, indeed, formed the connecting link between the Jews and the Gentiles; for they were a mongrel people, made up of both sorts, and holding both Jewish and Pagan rites. See the account of them on Mat 10:5 (note).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
SUCCESS OF PHILIP'S PREACHING IN SAMARIA--CASE OF SIMON MAGUS. (Acts 8:5-25) Then Philip--not the apostle of that name, as was by some of the Fathers supposed; for besides that the apostles remained at Jerusalem, they would in that case have had no occasion to send a deputation of their own number to lay their hands on the baptized disciples [GROTIUS]. It was the deacon of that name, who comes next after Stephen in the catalogue of the seven, probably as being the next most prominent. The persecution may have been directed especially against Stephen's colleagues [MEYER]. the city of Samaria--or "a city of Samaria"; but the former seems more likely. "It furnished the bridge between Jerusalem and the world" [BAUMGARTEN].
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria,.... The city which was formerly called Samaria, but now Sebaste; it had been destroyed by Hyrcanus, and was rebuilt by Herod; and called by him, in honour of Augustus, by the name of Sebaste (d); and so R. Benjamin says (e), that "from Luz he came in a day to Sebaste, , "this is Samaria"; where yet may be discerned the palace of Ahab king of Israel-----and from thence are two "parsas" to Neapolis, this is Sichem.'' Which last place, Sichem, is by Josephus said to be the "metropolis" of Samaria; and is thought by Dr. Lightfoot to be the city Philip went to, and where our Lord had before been, and preached to the conversion of many persons: this place lay lower than Jerusalem, and therefore Philip is said to go down to it; and who was not Philip the apostle, but Philip the deacon, for the apostles abode at Jerusalem; and beside, though this Philip preached the Gospel, and baptized, and wrought miracles, yet did not lay on hands, in order that persons might receive the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost; this was peculiar to the apostles, and therefore Peter and John came down for this purpose, when they heard of the success of Philip's ministry: the subject matter of which follows: and preached Christ unto them; that Christ was come in the flesh, that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, and that he was the Son of God, and the alone Saviour of men; who by his obedience, sufferings, and death, had wrought righteousness, procured peace and pardon, and obtained eternal redemption for his people; and was risen again, and ascended into heaven, and was set down at the right hand of God, where he ever lived to make intercession, and would come again a second time to judge both quick and dead. (d) Joseph de Bello Jud. l. 1. c. 2. sect. 7. & c. 21. sect. 2. Plin. l. 5. c. 13. (e) Itinerar. p. 38.
Acts 8:5
Philip in Samaria
4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.5Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.6The crowds gave their undivided attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
We Need More Troublemakers in the Church
By David Wilkerson4.1K1:18:30ISA 47:3ISA 47:7MAT 6:33ACT 8:51CO 6:192CO 6:141PE 1:15In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a man who reached out for help because his wife claimed to be a prophetess and had a vision of going to heaven and skydiving with Jesus. The preacher warns against becoming too introspective and self-focused in our spiritual experiences. He emphasizes the importance of taking the message of Jesus to the marketplace and being like a nurse to the sick and a father to children. The preacher also encourages the congregation to become troublemakers for God, stirring up the city with the power of the Holy Spirit, just like Paul and his companions did in Philippi.
Parable of the Sower
By Charles E. Fuller1.7K50:44SowerMRK 4:14ACT 2:14ACT 8:52TI 4:2HEB 10:26HEB 11:25REV 3:20In this sermon, the preacher uses an illustration of a man in a railroad station to emphasize the importance of paying attention to the message of Jesus. He explains that just like the man in the station who may not hear or pay attention to the train announcer, people can be indifferent or engrossed in worldly matters and miss the gospel message. The preacher then focuses on the parable of the sower sowing the seed, explaining the different ways in which people receive the gospel. He highlights the importance of having eyes to see the unseen and becoming fruitful by hearkening and paying attention to the word of God.
The Witness of Stephen
By Les Wheeldon1.2K1:11:08StephenACT 7:51ACT 8:5ACT 8:30ACT 9:5GAL 5:16In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of giving away one's possessions and living a life free from sin. He tells the story of a man who was told by Jesus to give away his wealth but chose not to, and as a result, he never enjoyed his money again. The preacher highlights the idea that once the word of Jesus comes to a person, they are considered dead and must seek resurrection life. He also shares the story of a man who exemplified forgiveness and love by not confronting his neighbor when they encroached on his property, ultimately leading to the neighbor's repentance. The sermon concludes with a discussion of the apostle Paul's conversion and the transformative power of encountering Jesus.
(Acts) Revealing the Spirit
By Brian Brodersen94754:45MAT 28:19MRK 16:15LUK 24:47ACT 1:8ACT 2:4ACT 4:31ACT 8:5In this sermon, the pastor shares his experience of preaching the word of God and witnessing a transformation in his fellowship. He emphasizes the importance of evaluating people's motives before placing them in positions of ministry. He also discusses the need for believers to be baptized in the spirit and empowered by God to serve Him effectively. The sermon references the story of Stephen, who was martyred for his faith, and the subsequent persecution of the early church.
Waiting and Looking Acts 1;
By J.M. Davies89345:25ACT 1:8ACT 8:1ACT 8:5ACT 8:14ACT 8:26In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about an old man in Bombay who was blind and used a white stick to attend worship meetings. Two English soldier boys mocked him, but the old man responded with kindness and shared his faith in Jesus Christ. The story then shifts to two boys in an English camp who were inspired by the old man's testimony and began praying together. The speaker emphasizes that our testimony for Jesus should not be hindered by our circumstances or limitations, and that witnessing for Christ is just as important outside of a formal church setting.
The Church: How Jesus Builds It #5 - Ministry to the World
By Bob Hoekstra60454:10MAT 5:13LUK 24:27ACT 8:5ACT 8:272CO 2:14In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of evangelism and the role of every believer in sharing the gospel. He shares a personal anecdote about a friend with a gift of evangelism who quickly shared the gospel with someone they met. The speaker acknowledges that evangelism may not be everyone's gift, but encourages all believers to participate in the work of evangelism. He then moves on to discuss the ministry of witness, emphasizing the impact of our attitudes and behaviors on the world. The sermon concludes with a reference to Matthew 5:13-16, where Jesus describes believers as the salt of the earth and encourages them to let their light shine before others.
Holy Spirit
By G.W. North4681:33:45Holy SpiritACT 2:4ACT 8:5ACT 8:17ACT 11:15ACT 11:17ACT 15:8ACT 15:18In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the truth of God's word and its impact on our lives. They reference the story of a mother in the Bible who questioned why there was conflict within her, highlighting the struggle between our fleshly desires and our spiritual nature. The speaker explains that Jesus laid down his life not only as an atonement for sin, but also so that we can have access to a glorious life in him. They emphasize the need to go to the root of the matter and deal with the truth in order to find healing, deliverance, and a deeper experience with the Holy Spirit. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of recognizing and treating each person of the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost) as God in their own right.
The Supremacy of Preaching Christ Himself
By Bryan Anthony0JHN 14:6ACT 8:5ROM 3:251CO 1:231CO 2:22CO 4:5GAL 6:14COL 1:271PE 2:24Bryan Anthony preaches on the essentiality of focusing solely on Jesus Christ and His crucifixion in all aspects of preaching and ministry. He emphasizes that all other teachings, doctrines, or religions fall short of the glory of God and the salvational reality found only in Christ. Anthony highlights the missionary message of Christ as the propitiation for our sins and the need for a radical jealousy for Christ to be glorified in true proclamation.
A Faithful Ministry
By Robert Murray M'Cheyne0Preaching ChristFaithful MinistryNUM 24:17ISA 53:6MAT 11:19JHN 1:29ACT 8:5ACT 10:392CO 4:2Robert Murray M'Cheyne reflects on his five years of ministry, emphasizing that faithful ministers preach Christ Jesus the Lord rather than themselves. He stresses the importance of preaching from personal experience, as true knowledge of Christ enables ministers to effectively share the gospel. M'Cheyne acknowledges the challenges and reproaches faced by ministers but encourages perseverance in preaching for the glory of Christ. He warns that despite faithful preaching, some will still be lost due to the blindness of their hearts, urging the congregation to seek the light of the gospel. Ultimately, he calls for prayer for holy ministers who preach the truth without deceit.
Finney as an Evangelist
By Frank Grenville Beardsley0PRO 11:30MAT 9:37ACT 8:5ROM 10:141CO 3:61TH 1:52TI 4:5JAS 5:16Frank Grenville Beardsley discusses the impact of evangelists like WHITEFIELD, the Wesleys, Dwight L. Moody, and B. Fay Mills in preparing the way for the modern evangelistic campaigns. He highlights the techniques and innovations introduced by these evangelists, such as union evangelistic campaigns, singing evangelists, and organized committees for effective revival planning. Beardsley contrasts the methods of Charles G. Finney, emphasizing Finney's focus on personal responsibility, the need for immediate repentance, and the effectiveness of preaching to convert souls. He explores Finney's teachings on human nature, sin, and the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing sinners to repentance.
The Word Made Flesh
By Robert Murray M'Cheyne0The Incarnation of ChristGrace and TruthACT 8:5Robert Murray M'Cheyne emphasizes the profound significance of 'The Word made flesh', illustrating that true peace for the soul is found solely in Christ and His crucifixion. He explains the dual aspects of Christ's humiliation: being made flesh and dwelling among us, highlighting His obedience to the law, His sacrificial death, and His deep sympathy for humanity. M'Cheyne urges listeners to behold the glory of Christ, which is full of grace and truth, and invites all heavy-laden sinners to come to Him for salvation. He stresses that Christ's humanity was without sin and that His life exemplified the fulfillment of God's law. Ultimately, he calls for a response to Christ's gracious invitation, warning against the dangers of neglecting such a great salvation.
A Limited Gospel
By G.W. North0The Power of the GospelFaithACT 8:5G.W. North discusses the state of the Samaritan believers, drawing parallels to the early ministry of Jesus and His apostles, who preached a limited gospel that still brought about significant miracles and conversions. He emphasizes that despite the limitations of their understanding, people were able to experience the kingdom benefits through faith, repentance, and baptism. The sermon highlights the power of the gospel message, regardless of the messenger, and the transformative impact it had on those who believed.
The Believable Christian
By Paris Reidhead0ACT 1:8ACT 8:5ACT 8:15ACT 8:17ACT 8:20ACT 8:24ROM 8:9EPH 5:18Paris Reidhead preaches on the importance of fellowship in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, using Acts 8:5-25 as a background. He emphasizes the need to preach Christ in all aspects of ministry, ensuring that the focus is on exalting the Lord Jesus. Reidhead highlights the responsibility of every believer to share Christ with others and to actively seek the fullness of the Spirit in their lives. He underscores the significance of church leadership in guiding and nurturing believers towards a deeper relationship with God, emphasizing the communal aspect of spiritual growth and the importance of personal appropriation of the Holy Spirit.
New Testament Missionary Types
By A.B. Simpson0Missionary WorkObedience to God's CallACT 8:5PHP 1:7A.B. Simpson emphasizes the diverse types of New Testament missionaries, illustrating their unique contributions to the spread of the Gospel. He highlights Philip, the evangelist, who obeyed God's call to reach a single soul; Barnabas, the businessman, who dedicated his resources to missions; and Gaius, the host, who supported missionaries with hospitality. Simpson also discusses the importance of prayer through Epaphras, the role of literature in missions through Luke, and the self-supporting nature of Aquila and Priscilla. Ultimately, he calls for a renewed commitment to missionary work, urging believers to embody the spirit of these early missionaries in their own lives.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Then Philip - One of the seven deacons, Act 6:5, called afterwards, Philip the Evangelist, Act 21:8. The city of Samaria - At this time there was no city of Samaria existing: according to Josephus, Ant. lib. xiii. cap. 10, sect. 3, Hyrcanus had so utterly demolished it as to leave no vestige of it remaining. Herod the Great did afterwards build a city on the same spot of ground; but he called it ΣεβαϚη i.e. Augusta, in compliment to the Emperor Augustus, as Josephus tells us, Ant. lib. xv. cap. 8, sect. 5; War, lib. i. cap. 2. sect. 7; and by this name of Sebast, or Augusta, that city, if meant here, would in all probability have been called, in the same manner as the town called Strato's Tower, (which Herod built on the sea coasts, and to which he gave the name of Caesarea, in compliment to Augustus Caesar), is always called Caesarea, wherever it is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. Bp. Pearce. As Sychem was the very heart and seat of the Samaritan religion, and Mount Gerizim the cathedral church of that sect, it is more likely that it should be intended than any other. See Lightfoot. As the Samaritans received the same law with the Jews, as they also expected the Messiah, as Christ had preached to and converted many of that people, Joh 4:39-42, it was very reasonable that the earliest offers of salvation should be made to them, before any attempt was made to evangelize the Gentiles. The Samaritans, indeed, formed the connecting link between the Jews and the Gentiles; for they were a mongrel people, made up of both sorts, and holding both Jewish and Pagan rites. See the account of them on Mat 10:5 (note).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
SUCCESS OF PHILIP'S PREACHING IN SAMARIA--CASE OF SIMON MAGUS. (Acts 8:5-25) Then Philip--not the apostle of that name, as was by some of the Fathers supposed; for besides that the apostles remained at Jerusalem, they would in that case have had no occasion to send a deputation of their own number to lay their hands on the baptized disciples [GROTIUS]. It was the deacon of that name, who comes next after Stephen in the catalogue of the seven, probably as being the next most prominent. The persecution may have been directed especially against Stephen's colleagues [MEYER]. the city of Samaria--or "a city of Samaria"; but the former seems more likely. "It furnished the bridge between Jerusalem and the world" [BAUMGARTEN].
John Gill Bible Commentary
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria,.... The city which was formerly called Samaria, but now Sebaste; it had been destroyed by Hyrcanus, and was rebuilt by Herod; and called by him, in honour of Augustus, by the name of Sebaste (d); and so R. Benjamin says (e), that "from Luz he came in a day to Sebaste, , "this is Samaria"; where yet may be discerned the palace of Ahab king of Israel-----and from thence are two "parsas" to Neapolis, this is Sichem.'' Which last place, Sichem, is by Josephus said to be the "metropolis" of Samaria; and is thought by Dr. Lightfoot to be the city Philip went to, and where our Lord had before been, and preached to the conversion of many persons: this place lay lower than Jerusalem, and therefore Philip is said to go down to it; and who was not Philip the apostle, but Philip the deacon, for the apostles abode at Jerusalem; and beside, though this Philip preached the Gospel, and baptized, and wrought miracles, yet did not lay on hands, in order that persons might receive the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost; this was peculiar to the apostles, and therefore Peter and John came down for this purpose, when they heard of the success of Philip's ministry: the subject matter of which follows: and preached Christ unto them; that Christ was come in the flesh, that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, and that he was the Son of God, and the alone Saviour of men; who by his obedience, sufferings, and death, had wrought righteousness, procured peace and pardon, and obtained eternal redemption for his people; and was risen again, and ascended into heaven, and was set down at the right hand of God, where he ever lived to make intercession, and would come again a second time to judge both quick and dead. (d) Joseph de Bello Jud. l. 1. c. 2. sect. 7. & c. 21. sect. 2. Plin. l. 5. c. 13. (e) Itinerar. p. 38.