The Samaritans (13)

When truth is discovered in scripture, there will be confirmation regarding that truth.  While we have seen that the message Peter preached on the day of Pentecost fits the template perfectly, as well as answering the question of how to call on the name of the Lord, further confirmations should be expected.  Confirmation coming by other accounts of the lost receiving the apostle’s words would lend an absolute credibility to what we have seen so far.

Before considering those accounts, let us return, momentarily, to John’s symbolic terminology as a reminder of our three-fold template’s application. 

·         Blood:     Which represents death, is accomplished in us through repentance.

·         Water:   Which represents burial, is accomplished in us through water baptism.

·         Spirit:   Which represents resurrection, is accomplished in us through the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

We can see then that John’s symbols of blood, water, and Spirit are representations of the Gospel and that the message of Peter on the day of Pentecost solved the Kingdom Mystery of how to obey the Gospel.  Mankind, by the words of the apostle, can now become obedient to the Gospel of Christ!  Have you obeyed it?

Let us then continue to examine the actions of the apostles to determine if Peter’s message was ever delivered again to those seeking salvation.  We will continue in the order given in the book of Acts.

Example:  Acts 8   

“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them.”  (Verse 5)

Jesus had given instructions to the apostles to go into all the world to preach the gospel… Samaria was the next door neighbor of Judea (in which Jerusalem was situated).  This was the first step outward in their efforts at world evangelism.  The Lord had told them to be witnesses after they received the Holy Ghost.

“But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)

The Gospel’s points of progression were declared by Jesus.  It was to start in Jerusalem.  This corresponds to what Jesus told His disciples after His resurrection in the book of Luke. 

“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name beginning at Jerusalem.  And ye are witnesses of these things.  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”  (Luke 24:45-49)

Peter’s message was delivered in the city of Jerusalem, thus fulfilling the words of Jesus in the book of Luke, as well as fulfilling the order of progression as delineated by Jesus in Acts chapter one.  Jerusalem is located in the region of Judea, which were the first two locations Jesus declared would receive the witness of the gospel.  Now the word is going forth in Samaria, by the preaching of Philip.

“And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.  And there was great joy in that city.”  (Acts 8: 6-8)

God, through the preaching of the evangelist Philip, was doing great things in Samaria.  It would appear that all was well and nothing was lacking, however, as we read on we find that there was something lacking.

“… when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”  (Verse 12)

So far we have seen that Philip preached Christ to them in Samaria and the resulting works of God were impressive to say the least.  People’s lives were being changed and turned around.  The word translated from the Greek to “repentance” means to turn around.  We find evidence of this happening as they heard and responded to the preaching of Philip.  As he preached the “things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” the response of the Samaritans was to be baptized.  It is apparent that baptism was part of the message of Philip.

As these things were taking place, a sorcerer named Simon became interested in what was happening as he saw the “miracles and signs which were done.”  “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized he continued with Philip.”  (Acts 8:13)

Even though many things were taking place as God moved in this new region, there was not a total administering of the gospel to the Samaritans.  Notice the actions of the apostles at this point.

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of Jesus.)”  (Acts 8: 14 &15)

We see that Philip’s preaching moved the people to the point where they had repented and had been baptized in the name of Jesus.  This is the same as Peter’s instructions to the crowd at Jerusalem, but it was specifically noted that none of them had received the Holy Ghost at that point.  It was then that Peter and John were sent to Samaria.  Let us see what happens when the apostles arrive.

“Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”  (Verse 17)  The gospel had now reached Samaria in its fullness.  Apostolic authority was present and we see that the same elements preached by Peter in Jerusalem were present in Samaria.  The last arena of evangelism on Jesus’ list is the “uttermost parts of the earth.”  We will see it preached there in the tenth chapter of Acts.

One more thing

When the Holy Ghost was received by the Samaritans, Simon was present to witness the event.  He was so impressed that he offered to buy the Holy Ghost with money. 

“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money…”  (Verse 18)

While this verse begins to move us into another part of the story, a very interesting point is seen.  Simon was able to observe the people receiving the Holy Ghost.  How was he able to tell that they received the Spirit?

In summary, as the gospel began to be spread from Jerusalem and Judea, the first place beyond these was the “city of Samaria”.  This is in total agreement to the Lord’s declaration that the apostles would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and then in Samaria… the apostle Peter was part of each of these expansions.  It is thought that this was because unto him the keys of the kingdom of God were given to him by Jesus.  See Matthew 16.

The elements of repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost were all preached and/or evidenced here in the Samaritan revival of Acts chapter 8.  Our template is still in alignment with the Acts of the Apostles!