Before Jesus Christ ascended back to heaven, He told His apostles: "you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8 NKJV). On the Day of Pentecost, the apostles preached the gospel of Christ in the city of Jerusalem (Acts 2). "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). However, the gospel call was not limited to the Jews. Disciples of Christ boldly preached the gospel everywhere they went. Men and woman, of honest and noble hearts, responded by believing and obeying the gospel (Acts 5:14; 6:1).
At the time of the death of Stephen, "a great persecution arose against the church" (Acts 8:1). While devout men lamented the death of Stephen, Saul "made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison" (Acts 8:3). Despite the great persecution, the church continued to grow. In fact, to the dismay of the Lord's enemies, the persecution against the kingdom only served to expand its boarders! "Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word" (Acts 8:4).
Philip was one of the disciples who preached the gospel. We know from the inspired record that he was a man of "good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3). He was described by Luke as "Philip the evangelist" (Acts 21:8). It was during this time of persecution that "Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them" (Acts 8:5). Later, Philip "preached Jesus" to the eunuch (Acts 8:35). The evangelist's boldness reminds us of Peter and the other apostles who, despite being told not to teach in Jesus' name, "did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ" (Acts 5:42). The apostle Paul later affirmed: "we preach Christ" (1 Cor. 1:23).
What was the reaction of the people of Samaria to the gospel of Christ? "And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did" (Acts 8:6).
The miracles of God served to confirm the word preached (i.e. Mark 16:20). The miracles performed by Simon were genuine miracles! These were no cheap tricks. Note that the people of Samaria both heard and saw the many miracles performed. These included the casting out of unclean spirits, the restoration of the paralyzed, and the healing of the lame (Acts 8:7).
The Bible says that "there was great joy in that city" (Acts 8:8). However, it would be a mistake to limit the cause of the joy to the miracles, which served to support the word. The people rejoiced because of the effect of the gospel in their lives (c.f. Acts 8:39). Luke wrote, "But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized" (Acts 8:12).
As the apostle Peter preached the gospel to the Jews of Jerusalem, those who "gladly received his word were baptized" (Acts 2:41). When the evangelist Philip preached the gospel, those who believed were baptized (Acts 8:12). Will you become a Christian today?