Why were signs and miracles still the emphasis when the gospel went to Samaria?
Signs and miracles remained the emphasis because the same miraculous authentication continued from Jesus and the Twelve, and the Jew requires a sign. Samaritans were considered more Jewish than Gentile, so Philip’s preaching of Christ to them was accompanied by the same confirming miracles.
Les explains that when Philip went down to Samaria, he preached Christ—that He is, was, and always will be their Messiah. Verse 6 says the people with one accord gave heed to those things Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles. Les asks if anything changed and answers no. The same miracles Jesus and the Twelve, or the Eleven, had performed for three years continued, now going up to Samaria with the same emphasis. Les connects this to what 1 Corinthians says about the Jew: he requires a sign. Samaritans, he says, were basically more Jew than Gentile, though half-breeds.