Ep. 276. Acts 8 | Samaria Believes

EPISODE 276

SAMARIA BELIEVES: ACTS 8

Two days ago, we talked about the Hellenists, who, you will remember, were Greek-speaking Jews. Today, we see the Samaritans putting their faith in Jesus. We have talked about them a lot since 2 Kings 17, but as a reminder, let's talk about them again here. In 2 Kings, the Assyrian army destroys the northern kingdom of Israel, taking the idolatrous people of God into captivity. When the Assyrians resettled the land of Israel, God sent lions into their midst’s to devour them. In a panic, they bring back some of the people of God and ask to be instructed in the ways of worshipping the "God of the land." Now, remember, the Israelites had long since abandoned God, but they did instruct the Assyrians on what the worship of God was supposed to be like. The Assyrians and the returned Israelites intermarry and populate the land of Samaria (the capital city of the land of Israel). They worshipped not only their false gods but also the God of the Hebrews. Fast forward a few hundred years, and we end up with the Samaritan people. (The most famous of these people might be the woman at the well in John 4) Now, these people who have for centuries been worshipping all manners of gods are coming to true faith in Jesus.

Also, in this chapter, we have the Ethiopian Eunuch who put his faith in Jesus. It is an amazing thing that the Jews had rejected Jesus so completely, but the foreigners and the pagans were coming to him with ease. Of course, we know that this is how it had to be; the Jews had to miss Jesus so that they would crucify him. But as we will see in Romans, God will keep his promises to the people of Israel and ultimately bring them to faith.

ADDITIONAL READING: ISAIAH 53:7-8; ISAIAH 52:13-53:12; Acts 21:9