The Promise Poured Out in Samaria
The Holy Spirit was poured out on the Jewish people in Jerusalem. The next group of people in line to receive the promise would be the Samaritans.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” WEB
The name “Samaritans” in (2 Kings 17:29) clearly applies to the Israelite inhabitants of the Northern Kingdom. In subsequent history it denotes a people of mixed origin, composed of the peoples brought by the conqueror from Babylon and elsewhere to take the places of the expatriated Israelites and those who were left in the land (722 B.C.). Sargon claims to have carried away only 27,290 of the inhabitants. Doubtless these were, as in the case of Judah, the chief men, men of wealth and influence, including all the priests, the humbler classes being left to till the land, tend the vineyards, etc. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Acts 8:5-25
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.6 The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. 7 For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 There was great joy in that city.
- Just as on the day of Pentecost the message of God was proclaimed and there were signs and wonders done that could be both seen and heard by all that listened with one accord.
9 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one, 10 to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.” 11 They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.
- Jerusalem had mockers and Samaria had Simon the sorcerer.
- There will always be obstacles that will need to be overcome when presenting the gospel. The power to do so is given to us by the means of the Holy Spirit. (Acts1:8)
12 But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
- Two of the three events have already taken place that accrued at Pentecost. The people believed the message of the gospel and were baptized into Jesus Christ in water.
13 Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles accruing, he was amazed.
- Even as Simon amazed others with his sorceries he himself was now amazed by the signs and great miracles brought forth by the power of God through Philip.
- Just because a person mocks or is contrary to the things of God does not mean that they cannot be converted and come to the saving grace of God.
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus.
- The third event of receiving the Holy Spirit had not yet taken place.
- The apostles, by sending Peter and John to pray for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit, showed the great value they put on a person receiving this promise from the Father.
17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
- The practice of laying hands on someone or something occurs frequently in the Old Testament-particularly the laying of hands on the head of an animal intended for sacrifice. (Lev 16:12). The act of laying on of hands in the Old Testament was also associated with blessing (Gen 48:18), installation to office (Deut 34:9), and the setting apart of Levi (Num 8:10). These passages seem to express the idea of transferal of authority and quality. In the New Testament Jesus laid his hands on children (Matt 19:13,15) and on the sick when he healed them (Matt 9:18). In the early church the laying on of hands was also associated with healing, the reception of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17), the setting apart of persons to particular offices and work in the church (Acts 6:6), the commissioning of Barnabas and Paul as missionaries (Acts 13:3), and the setting apart of Timothy (1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6). The ritual was accompanied by prayer (Acts 6:6). The laying on of hands was not a magical or superstitious rite that gave a person special power. It expressed the idea of being set apart by the entire church for a special task. Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary
18 Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me also this power, (authority) that whoever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
- Simon connected the laying on of hands with having authority.
- Peter makes it very clear that access to the Spirit could not be purchased with money or by any other earthly means as far as that goes.
- God and the things of God are not for sale, but they are freely given to those that seek after him.
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God.
- Like Simon, people get mixed up in all kinds of things that are twisted and perverted that really mess up their lives and way of thinking.
22 Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
- Peter reveals the root of the Simon’s problem that needs to be taken care of, which is the condition of his heart.
- When we are made aware of our problems, we can deal with them and be delivered from them and be freed from the influence that they have on our lives.
- Repentance is not a one time act that we do when we are converted but is a necessary expression from the heart that needs to take place each time we stumble and fall from the will of God.
24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”
- Simon as a new convert would need to have a lot of changes take place in his life. Asking for prayer was a step in the right direction and with help from the spirit of God this work could be accomplished.
25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans. WEB
Included in the Good News that was being preached was the message of the promise of the Father that was being poured out on believers giving then the power to live victorious lives in Christ Jesus to the glory of God.
The Gift of the Holy Spirit – Part 5