Simon was a man at Samaria who practiced magic. He so amazed the people with his tricks that they thought he possessed the great power of God (ver.9). This, however, was before Philip came to town with the real power of God at his disposal. While the Samaritans were astonished by what Simon did, the miracles performed by Philip brought real results. Loved ones were healed at Samaria, and the people rejoiced (ver. 5).

Once the people realized that Philip was really a man of God, they paid attention to his message. The theme of his sermon was the kingdom of God. While we do not have a point by point outline of what Philip preached, two things can help us know the essence of what he taught—past teaching on the kingdom and the response of the Samaritans.

Jesus taught about the kingdom during His ministry here on earth. He admonished the people to repent because the kingdom was at hand (Matthew 3:2). He taught the same thing in Mark 1:15, adding the statement, “The time is fulfilled…” To what time was Jesus referring? He was refer-ring to the time the prophets said that the kingdom would come. Daniel said that the kingdom of God would be set up in the days of the Roman kings (Daniel 2:44). He narrowed that period down by prophesying that the kingdom would come when “the son of man came to the Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:13-4), a reference to the ascension of Christ (Acts 1:9-11).

Was this a part of the good news that Philip preached to the people of Samaria? It most certainly was. Let me tell you what it did not include—any theory about the kingdom being postponed. That would not have been good news at all. On the other hand, preaching that the long-awaited kingdom that God would establish, a kingdom that would never be destroyed, had finally arrived, would be good news. Furthermore, it would be a message that was according to the teachings of Jesus Himself (Mark 9:1).

We also learn something about what Philip preached by the actions of the Samaritans. Luke tells us that “they were baptized, both men and women.” If being baptized was not a part of preaching the good news about the kingdom of God, why were all those who believed baptized? The New Testament teaching on the place of baptism is abundantly clear. It is not an outward sign of an inward grace. It is a part of God’s plan of salvation.

Notice, Philip preached, not only the good news about the kingdom of God, but also the name of Jesus Christ. What does that have to do with baptism? It is in the name of Jesus Christ that one is baptized (Acts 2:38). Once again, this is in harmony with the teaching of Jesus concerning the kingdom. In John 3:5, Jesus taught that one cannot enter the kingdom without being born of wa-ter, an obvious reference to baptism.

The message of Philip was so persuasive, that even Simon believed and was baptized (ver. 13). Some question the conversion of Simon, but all we can go by is what the Holy Spirit moved Luke to write. According to the record, Simon believed and was baptized, doing exactly what Jesus said one must do to be saved (Mark 15:16).

This was indeed a great day in Samaria. The gospel was preached and received, and souls were saved. Any day that happens is a great day. Unfortunately for Simon, his new relationship with God would be interrupted. Tomorrow night we will look at the fall of this newly converted Chris-tian.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.