• The Gospel in Samaria

    After Stephen’s death, the persecution scatters the believers of Jerusalem, who proclaim the Gospel wherever they go. Philip goes to Samaria and preaches there with power. Luke shows that this scattering fulfills the missionary program announced by Jesus in Acts 1.8. Samaria, long separated from Israel, at last receives the Good News. Philip, one of the Seven, becomes the first officially appointed evangelist of the New Testament.

    Luke 9.51-56 (King James Version) :
    And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
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