To Samaria

Luke documents the progress of the gospel and the Kingdom of God was it advances from Jerusalem due to the severe persecution that arose after the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1). While those who were persecuted scattered into all the regions of Judea and Samaria, Acts focuses on Philip and his preaching in Samaria. There are two reasons for this focus on Samaria. One relates to the stated purpose of Jesus that the gospel is to go from Jerusalem out through Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The other is theological. Dispensational and Covenant theology differ on the fulfillment of the promises of God in Christ. Dispensationalism sees the nation of Israel as the sole recipient of the New Covenant in a Kingdom age to come. Covenant theology sees the church as the beneficiary of the New Covenant. The promises to national Israel are realized in the salvation of a remnant of Jews who are included in the New Covenant community, the church.

The city Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Ephraim, as Jerusalem was the capital of Judea. Philip's preaching there fulfills God promises in Ezekiel 36 and 37, that the kingdom will be reunited under the Messianic rule of Jesus Christ.