Philip’s work in Samaria recorded in Acts 8:4-25 was a response to the intense suffering placed upon Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1-3). Persecution caused Philip and other Christians to be “scattered abroad,” and they “went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 4:1). Often times, when considering Philip’s work in Samaria, one focuses solely on the Gospel’s influence on a man “called Simon” who “used sorcery” (Acts 8:9). Yet, the result of Philip’s work was much greater than the conversion of one man; he converted a city that had been wallowing in false teaching.
Luke, inspired by the Holy Spirit, recorded that all of Samaria “gave heed” to Simon (Acts 8:9). In so doing, the Samaritans misplaced their attention. Literally, “they kept on giving attention to” the false teaching of Simon. The Samaritans should have known better; they had once been influenced by a true miracle worker, the Son of God (John 4:40-42). Now they were “paying mind to” a trickster who claimed to be a “great one.” Unfortunately, several in this age have “given heed” to false teaching and have fallen away. False teaching, when given an opening, has a way of chipping away at one’s legitimate faith. It is unwise to think for even a moment that one can ingest unsound doctrine and be healthier. It defies common sense and Gospel teaching (2 Timothy 2:14-17).
It is apparent that the Samaritans had also misplaced their assurance. They said, from the least to the greatest, that Simon “is the great power of God.” The word translated “power” can also be translated “mighty one” (Matthew 26:64). The Samaritans believed in one God, but they appear to have viewed Simon as God’s representative endowed with His power. It is true, even today, that some misplace their assurance when it comes to their spiritual well-being. They may put all of their confidence in what their parents, pastors or friends have told them and never consider what the Bible actually teaches. The reality is that one will be judged by the Word of God (John 12:48), the true power of God (Romans 1:16), and one must be fully committed to determining the truth found therein and following it (Acts 17:11). Sometimes this means one might need to break rank from their loved one’s false religion because they love Jesus more (Matthew 10:37).
Finally, the Samaritans made a terrible mistake by misplacing their astonishment. It is recorded in Acts 8:11 that Simon “had bewitched them with sorceries” for a long time. The word translated “bewitched” could be translated “astonished.” They were astonished at the fake practices he carried out. God and the devil communicate and influence mankind in a similar way. God communicates and influences mankind by His written Word preached by men (Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 1:21), and the devil communicates and influences mankind by the “rudiments of the world” taught by unholy men (Colossians 2:8).
What astonishes you? Is it the Almighty God and His revealed Word (Psalm 19:1, 7-8)? It may be true that you, like the Samaritans, are more astonished by the permissive teachings of the world perpetuated by false teachers (1 John 2:15-17). Sin is enchanting and can blind one from the truth of one’s spiritual condition (Revelation 3:17).
