THE CHURCH IN SAMARIA ACTS 8:4-25

After the Jews had stoned Stephen to death, great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem
and the believers scattered throughout the region of Judea, and Samaria except the apostles who
remained in Jerusalem. Philip who was one of the seven deacons fled away to Samaria. He preached to
the people there about Jesus Christ and also healed the sick and drove out demons from those who
were possessed. This made the Samaritans to be converted to Christianity. Among the audience was
Simon the magician who got converted

Having seen that the Samaritans had received the word of God, the apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and
John to go and pray for them so that they will receive the Holy Spirit. When the apostles got to Samaria,
they preached and laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit, but when Simon saw what
happened, he offered them money to receive the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter replied, “Your silver perish with you because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with
money! You have neither part nor right before God. Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours and
pray to the Lord that, if possible the intent of you may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall
of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”

Simon said to him, “Pray for me to the Lord that nothing of what you have said may come upon me”

After dedicating them, they preached the gospel to many villages in Samaria, and returned to Jerusalem.

PHILIP AND THE ETHIOPIAN ACTS 8:26-40

On a particular day, an angel of the Lord told Philip to ‘rise and go toward the south, to the road that
goes from Jerusalem and Gaza”

Philip arose and went immediately even though it was a desert road. He met an Ethiopian Eunuch, a
minister of Queen of Ethiopian’s treasure. He went to Jerusalem to worship and while returning he sat
on his chariot and was reading about prophet Isaiah and was not understanding it. Then the spirit
instructed Philip to go and join the chariot. Philip went and herd him reading about Isaiah the prophet.
Philip then said to him “Do you understand what you are reading?” He replied “How can I, unless
someone guides me” then he invited Philip to come and sit with him”

The scripture he was reading says “As a sheep led to the slaughter or lamb before its shearer is dumb,
so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation. Justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken up from the earth”

The Eunuch asked Philip whether the prophet was talking about himself or somebody else. Then Philip
taught him the good news of Jesus beginning with the scripture he was reading. As they went along the
road, they saw some water and the eunuch said, “See here is water! What is to prevent my being
baptized? Immediately they stopped and went into the river and Phillip baptized him. As they came out
of the water, the spirit of the Lord took Philip away from the Eunuch and he saw Philip no more. He then
went home rejoicing for having heard the good news about Jesus. Later, Philip was taken at Azotus
preaching the gospel to all towns, and Caesarea as well.
 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CONVERSION THE SAMARITANS

1. Christianity is opened to people of all races and tribes

2. Christianity serves to unite all races and tribes thereby improving relations among all people

3. We should learn to reject bribery and corruption, just like the way Peter rejected bribe from Simon
the magician.

THE CHURCH IN LYDDA AND JOPPA

Some of the persecuted Christian in Jerusalem fled to Lydda and Joppa. When some of them got to
Lydda and Joppa, they converted the people and established churches there. When the news reached
Jerusalem, Peter went down to visit them in order to encourage them in the faith.

THE CHURCH AT LYDDA ACTS 9:32-35

When Peter reached Lydda to visit the Christians there, he met one of them called Aeneas. He was
paralyzed and bed ridden for eight years. Peter had mercy and said “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you, rise
and make your bed”. Immediately, Aeneas rose from his bed and was healed. The news of Aeneas
healing spread throughout the town of Lydda and neighbouring village, Sharon and many people
believed and were converted to Christianity.

THE CHURCH IN JOPPA ACTS 9:36-43

Joppa was a town not far from Lydda. Among the members of the church was a woman called Tabitha
(Dorcas). She was very kind and generous and devoted. She spent all her time helping the poor and the
needy. But while Peter was at Lydda, attending to the Christians there, Tabitha fell ill and died. When
they heard that Peter was at Lydda, they sent two members to him, asking him to come at once,
because Tabitha was dead.

Peter immediately left Lydda and went to Joppa. He went to the room where the body of Tabitha was
lying in state and he saw widow weeping. They showed him the coats and other dresses that Tabitha
had made for them while she was alive. Peter asked them all to leave the room. Then he knelt down,
prayed, turned to the body and said ‘Tabitha, rise’.

The dead woman opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. Peter took her by the hand,
lifted her up and called other Christians to her room to see her alive. The news spread and many got
converted and became Christians.