The Church in Samaria – JSS3 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

The church in Samaria grew when Philip, one of the seven deacons, preached the gospel there after persecution scattered believers from Jerusalem.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain why Philip went to Samaria and what he did there.
2. State why Peter and John were sent to Samaria.
3. Narrate how Philip met and baptised the Ethiopian eunuch.
4. Describe how Peter healed Aeneas at Lydda.
5. Write briefly about Dorcas and how Peter raised her at Joppa.

Who was Philip?

Philip was one of the seven deacons chosen in Jerusalem to help the apostles (Acts 6:5).

• Office: he was appointed to serve and share food to widows, so the apostles could give time to prayer and preaching.
• Character: he was full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, as all seven deacons were required to be.
• Later title: he is called Philip the evangelist in Acts 21:8.

Why did Philip go to Samaria? (Acts 8:1-5)

Philip went to Samaria because persecution after Stephen’s death forced many believers to flee from Jerusalem.

• Cause: Stephen was stoned to death, and a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem.
• Scattering: the believers were scattered, but the apostles stayed in Jerusalem.
• Result: those who were scattered preached the word wherever they went.
• Philip’s choice: he went down to a city in Samaria and preached Christ there.

What did Philip do in Samaria? (Acts 8:5-25)

Philip preached about Christ, performed miracles and baptised many people who believed.

• Preaching: he told the Samaritans the good news about Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God.
• Miracles: he cast out unclean spirits and healed the paralysed and the lame.
• Baptism: men and women who believed his message were baptised.
• Joy: the Bible says there was great joy in that city.
• Simon the sorcerer: he had amazed the people with magic, but he believed and was baptised. Later he tried to buy the power to give the Holy Spirit with money, and Peter rebuked him.

Why were Peter and John sent to Samaria? (Acts 8:14-17)

Peter and John were sent to pray for the new believers so that they could receive the Holy Spirit.

1. The apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God.
2. They sent Peter and John to Samaria.
3. The new believers had been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus, but the Holy Spirit had not yet come on them.
4. Peter and John prayed for them and laid hands on them.
5. The believers received the Holy Spirit.

• Meaning: this showed that the Samaritans were truly accepted into the church.
• Fulfilment: it followed Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8 to witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.

How did Philip meet the Ethiopian eunuch? (Acts 8:26-40)

An angel and the Holy Spirit led Philip to meet an Ethiopian official who was returning from Jerusalem to Gaza.

Who was the Ethiopian eunuch?

• Position: he was an officer of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of all her treasure.
• Purpose of trip: he had gone to Jerusalem to worship.
• On the road: he was sitting in his chariot, reading the book of the prophet Isaiah.

What happened on the road?

1. An angel of the Lord told Philip to go south to the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza.
2. Philip saw the eunuch’s chariot, and the Spirit told him to go near and join it.
3. Philip heard him reading Isaiah and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
4. The eunuch said he needed someone to guide him and invited Philip to sit with him.
5. Philip began with that passage and told him the good news about Jesus.
6. They came to some water, and the eunuch asked to be baptised.
7. Philip baptised him, and the Spirit then took Philip away.
8. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing, and Philip was found at Azotus, preaching in the towns until he reached Caesarea.

What does the story teach?

• Guidance: the Holy Spirit guided Philip to share the gospel with one person, as well as with crowds.
• Spread of the gospel: the eunuch came from Africa, so his conversion is often taken as a sign of the gospel reaching the ends of the earth.
• Understanding: the scriptures need to be explained, and Philip showed how they point to Jesus.

What happened in Lydda and Joppa? (Acts 9:32-43)

Peter travelled through the region visiting believers, and he healed Aeneas at Lydda and raised Dorcas at Joppa.

• Believers already there: Peter found saints living at Lydda, so the gospel had reached the area before his visit.
• Peter’s work: he strengthened these believers and performed miracles in the name of Jesus.

Peter and Aeneas at Lydda (Acts 9:32-35)

Aeneas was a man at Lydda who had been paralysed and bedridden for eight years.

1. Peter came down to Lydda and found Aeneas.
2. Peter said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.”
3. Aeneas rose immediately.
4. All who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Peter and Dorcas at Joppa (Acts 9:36-43)

Dorcas, also called Tabitha, was a woman disciple at Joppa who was full of good works and charity.

1. She fell ill and died, and her body was laid in an upper room.
2. The disciples heard that Peter was at nearby Lydda and sent two men to urge him to come without delay.
3. Peter went with them and was taken to the upper room.
4. The widows stood by, weeping and showing the clothes Dorcas had made.
5. Peter sent everyone out, knelt down and prayed.
6. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, rise.”
7. She opened her eyes, saw Peter and sat up.
8. Peter gave her his hand, lifted her up and presented her alive to the saints and widows.
9. The news spread through Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
10. Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with Simon, a tanner.

How do the two miracles compare?

Both miracles were done in the name of Jesus and led people to believe.

What lessons does the church in Samaria teach?

• Obedience: we should obey the great commission and share the gospel like Philip and Peter.
• Power of God: with God all things are possible.
• Persecution: God used the scattering of believers to spread the gospel.
• Kindness: Dorcas shows that good works and charity matter in the church.

Evaluation

1. Why did Philip go to Samaria?
2. Why were Peter and John sent to Samaria?
3. What happened to the Ethiopian eunuch?
4. Describe the condition of Aeneas before Peter found him at Lydda.
5. Write briefly about Dorcas.

Assignment

1. Narrate in your own words how Philip met and baptised the Ethiopian eunuch.

Reference materials

Christian Religious Knowledge for J.S.S. 3, pages 25-27.