Philip Brings Joy To Samaria

Spring, c. 33 AD

Philip Brings Joy To Samaria

The scattering of the church has yielded an unexpected, historic breakthrough. Philip, one of the seven deacons, has gone down to the city of Samaria and begun proclaiming Christ to them. For centuries, Jews and Samaritans have harbored a deep, mutual hatred, but the power of the Gospel is completely dismantling those ancient ethnic barriers.

The crowds in Samaria are paying close attention to Philip's message because of the undeniable signs he is performing. Unclean spirits are coming out of people with loud shrieks, and many paralyzed and lame individuals are being healed. As a result, the city that was once despised by the Jews is now filled with an overwhelming, miraculous joy.

"So Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming the Christ to them... So there was much joy in that city."
— Acts 8:5, 8

Timeline Box: Philip's mission to Samaria was the first major fulfillment of Jesus' command in Acts 1:8.

Divided Kingdom Era, c. 880 BC

Omri Buys The Hill Of Samaria

King Omri of Israel has made a strategic real estate purchase that will define the Northern Kingdom for centuries. He bought the hill of Samaria from a man named Shemer for two talents of silver. He is currently building a fortified city on the hill, naming it Samaria, which will serve as the capital city of the ten northern tribes.

"And he bought the hill Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and named the city which he built Samaria..."
— 1 Kings 16:24

Timeline Box: The establishment of Samaria created the cultural and political rival to Jerusalem.

Mosaic Era, 1446 BC

The Elders See God On The Mountain

Following the giving of the Law, Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel went up Mount Sinai. In a staggering moment of grace, they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet appeared a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. God did not stretch out His hand against them; they saw God, and they ate and drank in His presence.

"And they saw the God of Israel, and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself."
— Exodus 24:10

Timeline Box: This covenant meal on the mountain established the peaceful communion between God and the leaders of Israel.

Editorial: Redeeming The Rival City

Samaria was built by a wicked king to be a rival to Jerusalem. For centuries, it represented rebellion, idolatry, and division. When Philip walked into that city, he was stepping into centuries of deep-seated racial and religious prejudice.

But the Gospel thrives where hatred is entrenched. Philip did not bring an argument about where to worship; he brought the resurrected Christ. The demons fled, the lame walked, and the city of Samaria experienced true joy for the first time in its history. God is in the business of redeeming our "Samarias"—the places we think are too lost, too corrupt, or too far gone for the grace of God to reach.

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