Sermon Recap: Acts 8:4-25

Counterfeit Gospels

Acts 8:4-25

This week, we studied Acts 8:4-25, witnessing the Gospel's journey from Jerusalem into Samaria. We saw that persecution, intended for evil, became God's sovereign tool for mission and that the true gospel is the power of God for the salvation of a diverse people.

1. God intends for all nations to enjoy the miracle of the gospel (Acts 8:4-8).
   Driven out by persecution, the scattered believers, including Philip, carried the message of Christ to the Samaritans. This was a miraculous step: preaching to a people despised by the Jews. Philip’s simple proclamation, confirmed by authentic signs, brought “great joy in that city.” This section reminds us that God's plan is global—the Gospel is the life-changing power of God for everyone, regardless of background.

2. God unites a diverse people in the gospel (Acts 8:9-17).
   The Samaritans believed, were baptized, and ultimately received the Holy Spirit through the Apostles Peter and John. The Gospel creates a new people—the Church—by breaking down cultural and ethnic barriers. By connecting the new Samaritan believers to the Jerusalem Apostles, God demonstrated that His family, though diverse, is one body, united not by blood or culture, but by faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. God exposes false leaders through the gospel (Acts 8:18-25).
   The story of Simon the Sorcerer provides a stark warning. Simon, who previously held the Samaritans spellbound with magic, "believed" and was baptized, yet his heart remained unconverted. He attempted to buy the ability to impart the Holy Spirit, demonstrating a desire for personal glory and power rather than a commitment to Christ. Peter's sharp rebuke, “Your heart is not right before God,” exposes the profound difference between a true miracle of God and a self-seeking attempt to manipulate divine power. The Gospel demands a humble, sincere, and repentant heart.

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Reflection Questions:

1. Who are your "Samaritans"—the groups of people you might consciously or unconsciously deem unworthy or outside the grace of God? How does Philip's example challenge your prejudices?

2. The city experienced "great joy." What does this passage teach us about the inseparable link between hearing the true Gospel and experiencing genuine, powerful joy?

3. The text contrasts Simon's desire for personal glory with the Apostles' focus on Christ. In what areas of your life (e.g., career, ministry, relationships) might you be seeking power or recognition for yourself instead of magnifying Jesus?

Resources:

• Book: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (J. I. Packer)

• Book: Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations (Scroggins & Wright)

• Book: Counterfeit Gospels (Trevin Wax)

Songs from Sunday:

• Hear the Hallelujahs Roar

• Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me

• Abide

• Hymn of Heaven