Acts 8:12

Simon promoted himself, but Philip preached Christ.

"I believe that Simon is the first religious racketeer in the church-but, unfortunately, not the last." [Note: McGee, 4:543]

Luke described Philip’s message as the good news about God’s kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ (cf. Acts 1:3; Acts 1:6; Acts 8:12; Acts 14:22; Acts 19:8; Acts 20:25; Acts 28:23; Acts 28:31). Those who trust in Christ become partakers in His spiritual rule over them now and eventually will enter into His future earthly millennial rule. The phrase "name of Jesus Christ" points to the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed Messiah (cf. 1 John 5:1). Note that water baptism followed conversion almost immediately (cf. Acts 2:38). Both men and women believed and were undergoing baptism. This was clearly water baptism since they did not experience Spirit baptism until later (Acts 8:17).