ACTS 8

As Luke describes the events that took place in Samaria as a result of the evangelistic endeavors of deacon/evangelist, Phillip, he could not overlook this phenomenon – “And there was great joy in that city” (8:8). There, unclean spirits came out of many that were possessed with them. Many who were paralyzed were instantaneously made whole. Many miracles were performed as the Holy Spirit confirmed the preaching of the gospel and the advancement of the Kingdom beyond strictly Jewish territory. The end result is conspicuously described for us in these thought-provoking words – great joy!

Let it not elude us that this remains one of the hallmarks of true revival – joy and evidently not just joy, but great joy. Scriptures more than imply that emancipation from the sinister powers of darkness always has the powerful effect of transitioning us from the anguish of deepest despair to the heavenly joyfulness of the liberated. All of a sudden in Samaria, the city came under new management. The forces of evil darkness were dethroned. They came under new administration and oversight. Instead of joylessness and depression, a feeling of exuberance and lightness flooded the atmosphere! Joy came in and exploded everywhere!

May God send such a revival like that again to our cities. I strongly believe that it begins with us and the preaching of the gospel through us. When Phillip went down to Samaria, there was great lamentation and havoc and persecution and fear and intimidation all around.  In fact, that is the immediate context of this passage. The beginning of this chapter specifically alludes to the great persecution of the church at Jerusalem, instigated by the great antagonist of the church, known then as Saul, before his amazing conversion on the road to Damascus.

The passage speaks not only about the scattering of the church throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, but it also tells about the great lamentation that arose over Stephen’s death and burial. It describes the havoc, confusion, and pure evil experienced by the church as they attempted to live out their faith and follow Jesus in a most hostile environment. Yet, instead of renouncing their faith, Luke informs his readers that they pushed ahead with as much force and determination. He states plainly, “Therefore, they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). None of the negatives restrained them.

They broke forth on every hand and side. The more the demons sought to disrupt them is the more they erupted. We are told, “Then Phillip went down to Samaria, and preached Christ unto them” (Acts 8:5). As bad as things were in Jerusalem and in Samaria, Phillip went down and preached Christ unto them.

Today, we instinctively feel compelled to follow Phillip. We precisely have what they need. We preach a gospel of supernatural deliverance. We preach a gospel of miracles. We preach a signs-and-wonders gospel. We preach a gospel of truth, A gospel of irrepressible joy. Let joy pervade and penetrate the atmosphere of our churches and communities – “And there was great joy in that city!”