Reading
Acts 8:4-40
Keys to the Text
The City of Samaria: The ancient capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, which eventally fell to the Assyrians (722 BC after over 20 years of idolatry and rebellion against God). After resettling many of the people in other lands, the Assyrians located Gentiles from other areas into the region, resulting in a mix of Jews and Gentiles who became known as Samaritans. The Samaritans withdrew from the worship of Yahweh at Jerusalem and established their worship at Mount Gerizim in Samaria. As a result of this history, Jews repudiated Samaritans and considered them heretical. Intense ethnic and cultural tensions raged historically between the two groups so that both avoided contact as much as possible.
Miracles, Wonders, and Signs: Many miracles accompanied the spread of the good news. "Wonders" refers to the amazement people experience when witnessing supernatural miracles. "Signs" point to the power of God behind miracles. Marvels have no value unless they point to God and His truth. Throughout the book of Acts such works were often done by the Holy Spirit through the apostles and their associates to authenticate them as the messages of God's truth.
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