In seeking to pay for the power of the Holy Spirit, Simon revealed his true motives in following Philip, and evidenced he knew not the Gospel at all. As Peter calls him to repentance, we see the marks and nature of true Spirit wrought repentance, which mourns sin, sees its guiltiness, and trusts in Christ. Simon, seeking only to flee consequence, shows the disingenuous nature of his repentance.

Acts 8:18-24 “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.’ And Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.’”

Sermon: “What is True Repentance?”

Series: Acts: Christ’s Church Built

Speaker: Samuel Wente

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Having been converted to Christ, the Samaritans are now filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, with the oversight of the Apostles, signaling a great unification between the believers in Jerusalem and Samaria

Acts 8:14-17 "Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Sermon: “A Samaritan Pentecost”

Series: Acts: Christ’s Church Built

Speaker: Samuel Wente

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Simon the magician gains a following of his own in Samaria, through his false and demonic power. However, with the power of Christ displayed through the Gospel preached by Philip, the supremacy and superiority of Christ is made known to the Samaritans who believe on Christ and are baptized. We see that though many false converts follow Christ externally without submitting to Him as Lord, true sheep submit to the Kingship of Christ, and follow Him in obedience to His commands.

Acts 8:9-13 “But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.”

Sermon: “A King Above All Others”

Series: Acts: Christ’s Church Built

Speaker: Samuel Wente

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“Gospel Renewal: God’s Worship, God’s Way”

Pt. 5 (Confession and Assurance) of our Sunday School teaching series on ‘Gospel Renewal Worship,’ exploring the elements of the church’s corporate worship prescribed through Scripture itself.

Speaker: Samuel Wente

The Kingdom of Christ advances outside of Jerusalem, as Philip preaches Christ to Samaria. We see that the Gospel transcends earthly distinctions and destroys hostility, as Jew and Samaritan are made one in Christ. We also see the liberation from darkness to light that comes through Christ, and experience of freedom and joy through our assurance in Christ’s own righteousness.

Acts 8:5-8 "Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city."

Sermon: “Unification and Liberation in Christ”

Series: Acts: Christ’s Church Built

Speaker: Samuel Wente

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“Gospel Renewal: God’s Worship, God’s Way”

Pt. 4 (Reading of Scripture) of our Sunday School teaching series on ‘Gospel Renewal Worship,’ exploring the elements of the church’s corporate worship prescribed through Scripture itself.

Speaker: Samuel Wente

After Stephen’s death, Saul launches a large scale persecution against the Church in Jerusalem. Some Christians are imprisoned, others flee to Samaria and other Judean regions. We see that God is so sovereign, that efforts to silence the Gospel have worked to fuel its advance, and that the Church is built by means of the persecution brought against it.

Acts 8:1-4 "And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

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Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word."

Sermon: “Christ’s Peculiar Plan to Build His Church”

Series: Acts: Christ’s Church Built

Speaker: Samuel Wente

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As Stephen is put to death by stoning under the watch of the Jewish leaders, we see a magnificent display of the grace of God. Saul’s participation and approval shows the depth of his depravity, amplifying the lavishness of God’s grace in bringing him to repentance soon after. We also see the transformative power of God’s grace, to conform Saints to the image of Christ, as Stephen longs for the very mercy he has been given through Christ, to be given to his own persecutors.

Acts 7:57-60 "But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep."

Sermon: “The Church’s First Martyr”

Series: Acts: Christ’s Church Built

Speaker: Samuel Wente

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“Gospel Renewal: God’s Worship, God’s Way”

Pt. 3 (Confession of Faith) of our Sunday School teaching series on ‘Gospel Renewal Worship,’ exploring the elements of the church’s corporate worship prescribed through Scripture itself.

Speaker: Samuel Wente

Having preached Christ before the Sanhedrin, the Lord shows Stephen a vision of the glory of God in heaven. We see that it is Stephen’s view of the glory of the exalted Christ that enables him to willingly suffer for the Christ, because He sees that Christ is worthy of it. As Stephen sees Christ standing at the right hand of the Father, he sees the tremendous honor of suffering for Christ, as it glorifies Him, and how Christ is judging the Priests as the ruling and reigning Son of man, and serves as Stephen’s advocate to the Father.

Acts 7:54-56 "Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, 'Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.'"

Sermon: “The Glory of Christ

Series: Acts: Christ’s Church Built

Speaker: Samuel Wente

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