Acts 8 – Preaching the Gospel
People offer many ideas on ‘what is preaching.’
- To some, preaching is telling a good story and in that way has the ability to capture attention.
- One friend of mine is proud his ‘preacher’ is not allowed to speak more than 12 minutes. So, good preaching is short in duration?
- Others say good preaching should never offend anyone.
- There are many opinions about preaching.
- In reality, when the question is asked from time to time, ‘What is Preaching,’ one need look no farther than Acts chapter 8 to find a good answer.
Chapter 8 finds the disciples fleeing persecution. Acts 8:1-3
- They were not fleeing their faith or fleeing from the Lord.
- They were trying to escape those who desired to physically harm them, as they did Stephen.
- Even in harsh circumstances, God is able to use this trying situation to further His cause.
- As they were spread throughout the region, they were busy teaching the gospel.
- They went as “far as Phoenicia, Cyrus, and Antioch, preaching the word.” 11:19
When early Christians went about “preaching the word,” what did they do? Acts 8:4-8
- It was not the spreading of some new philosophy devised by man.
- There was a lot of that then, just as there is now. There always has been.
- They were not preaching things so often heard in pulpits today; hunger and poverty,
racial issues or problems with the environment, nor the immigration controversy, etc.
- Instead, they were simply preaching Christ.
- Preaching that which is most important … the Christ that brings salvation to men.
- The preaching of His church and kingdom.
- The church and kingdom that Christ spoke of building. (Mt. 16:18-19)
- The kingdom that puts us in a relationship with God – and being delivered from
darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s Son. (Col. 1:13-14)
- Here is where we find redemption, through His blood – forgiveness of sins.
- Preaching is the expounding on God’s eternal plan for man. (Eph. 1:4, 3:9-11)
- That God had a plan to save man even from the foundation of the world.
- “an eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- God has never forgot man whom He made – but sent a Savior through Whom man
can be saved.
- And, has made us accepted through Him.
- To preach Christ is to preach God’s plan of salvation – faith, repentance and baptism in
the name of Jesus.
- Philip the evangelist did all that and confirmed the word – with the power of the HS.
(having received the HS – Acts 6)
- Many became convinced of God’s power and His word and responded to it.
- Even unlikely characters such as Simon the sorcerer … and as we see, he was
moved by the word and believed.
- It is the preaching of the word that pricks the heart of honest men.
- 3000 were saved by the preaching of Jesus. Acts 2
- It is only by the preaching of the word of God that men can be saved of their sins.
- Jesus came offering “words of eternal life.” John 6:68
- Nothing else will save. Nothing else offers what God’s word offers.
- There will always be a result that comes from teaching. Some accept it and obey …
others reject it.
The results of preaching Jesus. Acts 8:9-13
- Simon had a reputation and a following.
- He practiced sorcery, that is, magic.
- People were deceived into thinking Simon was something great.
- His tricks made people believe he had great power – maybe even power from God.
- In reality, Simon was a fraud. Until the coming of the gospel his influence dominated the
whole city.
- And by the way, he likely made a good livelihood at it too.
- Philip’s preaching convinced many – the words that he spoke – and the confirming of the words by miracles.
- The result of that preaching … many believed – even Simon.
- When Simon saw the miracles, he knew the “real thing” … he was an expert at trickery.
- He knew that the signs and miracles of Philip were something beyond what man alone
could do. (This was far above what the greatest magic skills could accomplish)
- The result of preaching the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus? (there will always be a result)
- Men and women were baptized. Even Simon.
The apostles and the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14-17
- The apostles in Jerusalem heard the gospel was received in Samaria.
- Peter and John went to these new Christians and laid hands on them.
- We notice it was not Philip who passed on the HS to the new converts. He had not that ability.
- (Philip himself received the HS by the hands of the apostles)
- It was the apostles who had the power to pass it on.
- (this point disables the arguments of many today with regard to receiving the HS)
- These gifts were an overwhelming interest to Simon.
- He sees the ability to do for real what he had been pretending to do.
- The signs and miracles of the apostles were the real thing.
- It quickly becomes evident that Simon’s heart is not where it should be.
- Simon, like many Christians, struggle with interests of the old life. (some fall back)
Simon sins. Acts 8:18-25
- The habits of the old life are hard to break.
- Even though he had become a Christian – when he saw the apostles lay hands on some, the temptation became overwhelming.
- Imagine! The following, the recognition, maybe even the income – if he could do what the
apostles just did!
- So … he tried to buy this ability.
- Peter quickly and rightly rebuked him. Acts 8:20
- Peter went right to the source and identified the real issue … it was a heart problem. 8:21
- Some have said Simon’s faith was not genuine and that is why he fell.
- I’m not sure we can make that judgment.
- He obeyed the gospel before he even saw the laying on of the apostles hands.
- This event was after he heard the preaching of Jesus and had responded to it in baptism.
- And … Peter did not question Simon’s faith.
- He spoke to him about what was wrong with his heart – wickedness and sin.
- Did he sin? Yes. Why? He reverted to what he knew and was comfortable with.
- But, Peter spoke of a solution to his problem – and every indication is he responded.
- He was told to repent.
Simon responds. (22-25)
- The blessed hope for the sinful Christian.
- Not one of us can think we are better than Simon – because we have all sinned and many of us still struggle.
- And when we sin, like Simon, it is a problem with our heart.
- The answer to the problem of a Christian’s sin is given to us right here.
- Repent, pray God for forgiveness. (v. 22)
- “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jn. 1:9
- Simon asked Peter, “Pray for me…”
- What a great blessing! To have Christians petition God on our behalf.
- “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, the you may
be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Ja. 5:16
Acts 8 tells us about preaching the gospel.
- The wonderful story of Jesus, His love, and salvation in His name.
- Maybe today, someone is thinking about becoming a Christian.
- You need to respond just like those we read about – who believed at the preaching of
the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.
- Their heart was moved and they believed and were baptized.
- If you are a Christian fallen back into sin – Repent, confess, and pray forgiveness.