A Samaritan Sorcerer and His Faith (Acts 8:9-25)

Acts Sermon Series at Elmira Christian Center

The persecuted church in Jerusalem had been scattered throughout Judea and Samaria, preaching the Word as they went. Philip the evangelist had gone to Samaria, where the city received the gospel with joy. But Luke also includes a specific incident involving a Samaritan sorcerer name Simon. This story serves to illustrate a profound truth related to the parable which Jesus told of the sower who went out to sow (see Luke 8:4-15). In this sermon, Pastor Matt shows that saving faith is not possible apart from a heart radically transformed by grace. Anyone can claim to be a Christian; anyone can go through the motions of a believer. But true conversion involves a radical change of heart—a change seen in the fruit of humility, repentance, and persevering faith.