Acts 8:6
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
The people of Samaria listened together to Philip's preaching about Jesus with united, eager and close attention. Their attention was drawn both by hearing his message and by seeing the miracles and signs he performed. Preaching and healing accompanied one another in this gospel work, with healings and deliverance from unclean spirits confirming the message, drawing people to it and bringing great joy to the city.
Hearing and seeing led many to believe and receive baptism, showing the gospel was welcomed beyond the Jewish people even without a separate deliberate effort to reach each class. The Spirit was waiting to enlighten souls and convert them to the truth through this preaching, so that when those at Jerusalem heard Samaria had received the word they sent Peter and John to them. The Samaritans' readiness followed earlier acts of mercy and love toward them that overcame their hostility, so that after the ascension the messengers found them ready and gathered a harvest among them. The account contrasts Philip's miracles with Simon, whom people had also heeded because his sorceries deceived them, while the healing and soul-winning work displayed a greater power that Simon wanted to join so he could perform wonders and increase his own fame and wealth. Philip's successful ministry in Samaria came before God called him to leave it and go to Gaza to teach one searching soul.
The verse gives the pattern for city evangelism to be carefully studied and followed, showing that united attention to preaching confirmed by miracles will respond with power to earnest effort when workers spread out instead of centering in companies in a few places. The lesson is division and subdivision of experienced workers, establishing small schools in new unworked places rather than large schools and extravagant buildings where work has already been done, and beginning missionary work in several places at once and then merging efforts in one city before dividing again to enter the next city so that several cities are worked at once. Workers are to be educated by being taken along and instructed in different lines including medical and literature work, so that thousands are converted and then work for other souls, with the Holy Spirit cooperating with truly converted people baptized with the Holy Spirit to make the truth a power.