Acts 8:5-8

The town of Samaria has had a good bit of history and reputation. Joshua chapters 16 and 17 describe the land Joseph's tribes were given and I believe Samaria was included. The Jewish people typically did not like the Samaritans. From what I remember being taught, they considered them “half breeds” between the Jewish and Assyrian people.

Jesus did 2 significant things with Samaria. He told the parable of the Good Samaritan who took care of the robbed and beat u Jewish man. And He talked to the woman at the well. (John Chapter 4) Many Samaritans believed in Jesus while He was there with them.

We start off Acts chapter 4 with Saul who will later become Paul, witnessing and agreeing with Stephen, one of Jesus's disciples being killed. You can imagine how that would cause fear. Saul was coming after them to destroy this new movement.

Philip didn't care! He was one of the original disciples who walked with Jesus. (Like Stephen had.) He went to Samaria anyway and did all that our verses said. How amazing that God kept moving and healing people so they could hear the Gospel and have a relationship with Him!

Looking at these verses on healing gave me hope. I pray it did the same for you. There are many many examples of healings in the Bible that we could keep talking about. But, starting tomorrow, we will begin a new list for October on laughter and joy. I pray it’s a great month for us!