Bible Study series: Acts 8:5-13. Philip was not an apostle, yet he worked miracles. The gospel of Christ plus signs and wonders are a powerful means of salvation.
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I also translate to learn. The translations are mine, unless otherwise noted. If you would like to see many others, please click on this link:
At the link to the original post, next, I write more commentary and dig a little deeper into the Greek. I also offer a section titled Observations for Discipleship at the end. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided in the commentary section for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Acts 8:5-13
5 After going down to a town in Samaria, Philip proclaimed the Messiah to them. 6 The crowd was paying attention to what was spoken by Philip, and without exception, listening and watching the signs which he was doing. 7 For many who had them, unclean spirits were leaving, shouting loudly, and many of the paralyzed and the lame were being healed.
8 And so there was exceeding joy in that town.
9 Now, a certain man named Simon was for some time practicing sorcery in the town, amazing the people of Samaria, claiming for himself to be somebody great. 10 Everyone one, both small and great, were paying close attention to him saying, “This man is the Power of God, called Great!” 11 They were paying close attention to him for a long time because he had been dazzling them with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip, who was preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Even Simon himself believed and, after being baptized, he was devoted to Philip; he was beside himself with amazement, as he observed the great signs and miracles that were happening. (Acts 8:5-13)
Comments:
A great, positive response to a backlash of persecution is to keep “bashing on” and preaching the good news of the Word. Yes, Philip is one of the seven named in Acts 6:5.
From v. 5 to v, 25 this is a showdown between the kingdom of God and kingdom of Satan. We already know which one will prevail. Simon the Magician wanted to mix his supernatural paganism with Christianity. Do not allow this mixture—also called syncretism—to happen today.
Here’s how Luke sets up the contrast or clash:
| Simon the Sorcerer | Philip the Evangelist |
| Works wonders (8:11) | Works wonders (8:6, 13) |
| Draws crowds (8:9-10) | Draws crowds (8:6-7) |
| “Heeded” (8:10-11) (people pay close attention) | “Heeded” (8:6) (people pay close attention) |
| Simon is “great power” (8:10) | Philip performs “great powers” (8:13) |
| Simons amazes Samaritans with his claims and magic (8:9, 11) | Philip’s miracles “amaze” Samaritans (8:13) |
| Keener, p. 263, who got it from F. S. Spencer. | |
I add that soon Simon will be beside himself with amazement when he sees Peter and John working miracles (8:13). Therefore, in this showdown, God will get the victory, if his disciples walk in the power of the Spirit.
Please see this post:
Ten Big Differences between Christianity and Other Religions
5:
“Samaria”: it was a region despised by people who considered themselves pure Jews, because the region was settled by all sorts of foreigners over the centuries. But now God is building on his outreach to them first done by Jesus (John 4). They had the same positive response to Philip as they did to Jesus. God will reach even the undesirables.
Quick Reference to Jewish Groups in Gospels and Acts
Bock lists some of the bad attitudes which Jews felt about the Samaritans: they were defecting half-breeds; to eat with a Samaritan was like eating pork, which was strictly forbidden in the Torah; their daughters were viewed as unclean; they were accused of aborting fetuses. In Luke 17:18, where Jesus cleanses ten lepers, but only one, a Samaritan, went back to thank him, the Samaritan was considered a “different race.” However, now we see that the gospel really is going to the Samaritans, just as Jesus had commanded (Acts 1:8). The gospel knocks down old religious and racial prejudices.
“Messiah”: the Greek word is Christos, and in Hebrew it is Meshiach, both meaning the “Anointed One.” Their message was not fancy or elaborate. They focused on the Messianic prophecies in the OT and his resurrection.
3. Titles of Jesus: The Son of David and the Messiah
The Samaritans were also waiting for a Messiah, called a Taheb or “Restorer.” So it looks like Philip simply told them that the Messiah already came, not long ago, and he was crucified but God resurrected him and raised him to his right hand, to vindicate him. Now he will impart salvation and the Spirit to them, though the apostles Peter and John will have to come and pray for them to receive the Spirit.
6:
“listened”: this word means to “turn one’s mind towards” (pros has the basic meaning of “towards”) or “pay careful attention.” They leaned in and held on. In this context it means they received Philip’s message favorably. In v. 10, it means they paid close attention to Simon.
“without exception”: here it means the Samaritans were united in spirit and soul, as they collectively paid careful attention to Philip’s message. It seems to mean “unanimously” or “without exception” (Parsons and Culy).
“signs”: sēmeion (pronounced say-may-on). In the plural it is mostly translated as “signs” or “miraculous signs.” A sign points towards the loving God. Signs are indicators of God breaking into his world, to help people and announce that he is here to save and rescue them and put things right. Miraculous signs back up the proclamation of the Word.
See Acts 2:22, 43; 4:30; 5:12; 6:8; 7:36; 8:13; 14:3.
For nearly all the references of those two words and a theology of them, please click:
What Are Signs and Wonders and Miracles?
7:
It is not that the people left, but the demons did, with a shriek. (The Greek construction is a little odd.)
“being healed”: the verb is in the passive voice, which means people received their healing from God. This was not self-healing (though God has designed the body to heal itself, if we take care of it). Here their healings were miraculous.
It is unseemly and even cruel to proclaim, as some do today, that signs and wonders died out with the apostles or a little later. People today still have unclean spirts and paralysis and lameness of limbs. Why wouldn’t God want to heal them? He does. We should not put God in a box, just because we have no faith to see signs and wonders.
Renewalists believe they do and should happen everywhere. Once again, please click on this link for a fuller explanation:
What Are Signs and Wonders and Miracles?
For more about deliverance from satanic oppression, please click on Scriptural Deliverance:
Bible Basics about Deliverance
“Demonized” is not the only verb to express a demonic attack (see Mark 3:22, 30; 7:25; 9:17; Luke 4:33; 7:33; 8:27; Acts 8:7; 16:16; 19:13). But I see no substantive difference between the two verbs and are used interchangeably in Luke 8:27, 36. What is more relevant is the soul of the person being attacked and how deep the attack goes because the person gives the demon access.
How Does New Testament Define Demonic Control?
“and”: many translations have “or,” but the Greek is the common conjunction kai (pronounced kye or kay) which means “and.” Maybe translators conclude that “paralyzed” and “lame” are just synonyms, not two conditions but the same one in the same class. I’ll stick with “and” because I like to think that all conditions can be healed.
8:
“Exceeding joy”: it is a happy summary of the response to the gospel and miraculous signs. Why wouldn’t they be happy, when some of them used to be disabled, but now can walk; demonically suppressed, but now free? Renewalists believe these things can happen and do happen all the time. May they increase!
Bock is right about the parallels in Luke and Acts and the kingdom overcoming all opposing forces:
Miracles, for Luke, draw people into considering the message. Philip’s actions recall the ministries of Jesus and Peter (Luke 7:22-23: signs of the arrival of the age). Luke refers to unclean spirits in Acts 5:16, calling them “immoral or evil spirits” in 19:12-16. That demons cry out is seen in Luke 4:41 and Acts 16:17, and such spirits coming out of people are noted in Luke 4:35 and Acts 16:18-19 (exorcisms in Luke 4:33, 36; 6:18; 8:2, 20; 9:1, 6, 42; 11:24). The paralyzed are healed in Luke 5:18 and Acts 9:33, and the lame appear in Acts 3:2 and 14:8. The Acts 14 and 16 passages show that Paul will also exercise such power. The kingdom of God is moving out and overcoming forces opposed to it. … People other than the Twelve are exercising God’s power and gifts. (comment on vv. 6-8)
Exactly right. Jesus is carrying forward his ministry begun with him in the Luke through his Christian community who obey and follow him. Ordinary people can do extraordinary miracles and healings and deliverances, when God backs them up.
9:
Satan has power in his own jurisdiction, and he can perform counterfeit wonders through sorcery (Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:22; 2 Thess. 2:9).
“practicing sorcery”: this verb is the only time that it is used in the NT. It is a participle in the present tense, indicating he did it perpetually. It has a long history of demonic acts, which had been handed down by the generations, from hundreds of years B.C.
Never dabble in the occult. It opens the door to Satan in your life. It is clear why Philip needed to deliver many people from demons (v. 7).
“amazing”: the Greek verb can be translated literally as “they were standing beside themselves” Or “they were beside themselves.” Most translations go with “stunned,” “astonished,” or “amazed.”
10:
“small and great”: this indicates all strata of society can be deceived and bewitched. Is this a warning to high-born men like Theophilus, to whom Luke dedicated Acts?
Be wary of people—even Christians—who claim to be someone great. Sometimes the news reports that a preacher claims to descend from Jesus of a famous biblical figure. He is deceived. Don’t believe him.
The people were so bewitched by Simon that they attributed this outlandish name to him. It indicates that his sorcery was powerful.
11:
This verse repeats the main theme of this section. Luke wants to emphasize that this was no magic show, but signs and wonders and demonic manifestations were happening.
“had been dazzling”: it’s the same Greek verb as “amazing” in v. 9.
Bruce traces later church traditions which say that Simon was the founder of all the Gnostic offshoots. Selling or buying church offices was called “simony,” though these verses have nothing to do with high church office (comments on vv. 9-11).
See my posts about Satan in the area of systematic theology:
Bible Basics about Satan and Demons and Victory Over Them
Bible Basics about Deliverance
Magic, Witchcraft, Sorcery, and Fortunetelling
12:
This is a wonderful summary of what we all need to be preaching: the good news, the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus.
“believed”: It means to “believe, be convinced of something.” In a more specific definition it goes in a direction: “to have faith in Christ or God” (Mounce p. 61). Believing (verb) and faith (noun) is very important to God. It is the language of heaven. We live on earth and by faith see the invisible world where God is. We must believe he exists; then we must exercise our faith to believe he loves us and intends to save us. We must have saving faith by trusting in Jesus and his finished work on the cross.
As noted earlier, true acronym:
F-A-I-T-H
=
Forsaking All, I Trust Him
Here it is connected to “saved.”
Please see my word study on believe and faith:
Word Study on Faith and Faithfulness
“preaching the good news”: see v. 4 for more comments.
“the kingdom of God”: Jesus spoke often about the kingdom of God, and so did Philip here. He ushered it in, and at the birth of the church in Acts 2 it is now about to expand beyond Israel. It is for everyone who receives him into their hearts and becomes his followers. When that happens, they enter into his light; receive clarity; enjoy an intimate relationship with the Father through Christ and the Spirit; live a consecrated life through his resurrection power and in the Spirit and by his power. And so the kingdom makes all the difference in the world—by creating a new world, a new kingdom, he creates a new you, a new life.
Bible Basics about the Kingdom of God
Questions and Answers about Kingdom of God
Basic Definition of Kingdom of God
1 Introducing the Kingdom of God (begin a ten-part series)
“The message about the Christ (v. 5) is now called the message about the kingdom, showing the relationship between the two ideas (Acts 3:6 …)” (Bock comment on v. 12).
“name”: this noun stands in for the person—a living, real person. You carry your father’s name. If he is dysfunctional, his name is a disadvantage. If he is functional and impacting society for the better, then his name is an advantage. In Jesus’s case, he has the highest status in the universe, under the Father (Col. 1:15-20). He is exalted above every principality and power (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:20-23; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8). His character is perfection itself. His authority and power are absolute, under the Father. In his name you are seated in the heavenly places with Christ (Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:1). Now down here on earth you walk and live as an ambassador in his name, in his stead, for he is no longer living on earth, so you have to represent him down here. We are his ambassadors who stand in for his name (2 Cor. 5:20). The good news is that he did not leave you without power and authority. He gave you his. Now you represent him in his name—his person, power and authority. Therefore under his authority we have his full authority to preach the gospel and set people free from bondages and satanic spirits and heal them of diseases. In that name Philip cast out demons and healed the disabled.
“baptized:” it is the Greek verb baptizō (pronounced bahp-tee-zoh), and it means to dip or immerse. So John the Baptist could be renamed “John the Dipper” or “John the Immerser.” The Spirit baptism means the Holy Spirit drenches your spirit and your soul and body. It is not just your spirit that is touched. Some teachers (wrongly) say that when the Spirit fills you, your spirit is perfect, and your soul is not. It is true that your soul is not perfect, but neither is your spirit. You are on a journey to be like Christ (Rom. 8:29). You will never perfectly achieve that goal down here on earth, while you are in your body, and neither does your spirit achieve it. The Spirit immerses you inside out, even your mind and body (Rom. 8:11). It is a package deal, because you are a whole person.
Baptized, Filled, and Full of the Spirit: What Does It All Mean?
Conversion first. Water baptism second. (In rare instances salvation and baptism may happen at the same time, but the relation is logical, not chronological. Salvation logically comes first.) Water does not save, but Jesus does. Salvation goes beyond initial justification or initially being declared righteous. It involves one’s whole life. And being water-baptized for the washing away of sins means that water symbolically washes away one’s sins.
13:
Simon had faith and was baptized. That indicates how powerful Philip’s message was, by the anointing of the Spirit.
The fact that the Samaritans and Philip believed and were baptized is important, because in the next section Peter and John will travel there and pray for them to be filled with the Spirit—to his fullness. Renewalists seize on these two stages to teach that salvation and the infilling of the Spirit are distinct. The Spirit draws people to salvation and enters into believers, but the fulness is a separate act of God.
“was devoted to”: it is a very strong word and here it means Simon is leaning in to the Word (see Acts 1:14; 2:42, 46; Rom. 12:12; 13:6; Col. 4:2; in most of those verses people are devoted to prayer).
“miracles”: The purpose is to patch up and restore broken humanity. They testify that God in his kingdom power is here to save and rescue people.
Once again, for nearly all the references of those two words and a theology of them, please click on
What Are Signs and Wonders and Miracles?
GrowApp for Acts 8:5-13
1. This section is about a clash between light and darkness, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. How has God delivered you from darkness? Which miracle did he perform to get you out? Tell your story.
2. The Samaritans were looked down on by more religious Jews, yet God accepted them and gave them the Holy Spirit. God has accepted you too. Tell your story of God’s acceptance of you and of you receiving the Holy Spirit.
RELATED
The Historical Reliability of the Book of Acts
Book of Acts and Paul’s Epistles: Match Made in Heaven?
SOURCES
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