The Gospel to Samaria

Our Lord Jesus can save those blinded by Satan (2 Cor 4:4). Through Philip’s selfless preaching of Christ, God was pleased to give light to the blind. May we aim to be messengers of light, who with Paul say, “We are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake. For God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor 4:5-6).

Acts 8:14-17

The joyous news about the gospel’s power at work in Samaria reached the apostles in Jerusalem. This was a breakthrough moment in church history as the Samaritan “outsiders” were now clearly being incorporated into the church of God. The apostles still in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to join the work there. They went and “prayed . . . so the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit because he had not yet come down on any of them. (They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus)” (vv. 15-17).

Historically, these verses have been difficult for many to understand. Some contend this text teaches that not all believers receive the Holy Spirit at salvation and must, therefore, seek a later spiritual experience, which is often supplemented by speaking in tongues. Advocates of this view usually teach that a person can be genuinely saved and regenerate yet devoid of the Holy Spirit. Some slightly modify this view, teaching that the Samaritans mentioned in this passage were genuinely saved, regenerate, and possessed a measure of the Spirit but did not yet have the spiritual gifts. Still others have understood these verses to teach that the initial faith of the Samaritans was defective; therefore, the Spirit did not come until they had a genuine faith. Most who advocate this view believe this text emphasizes the dangers of insincere faith. I think, however, that each of these views is misguided. We must remember the unique place of this story in redemptive history.

The Spirit was withheld until the apostles could verify the gospel work. In this unique case of the gospel’s first moving beyond Jerusalem, the Lord sovereignly waited to give any manifestation of the Spirit until the apostles could be there to witness it. That way they would see and could testify that the Samaritans received the same Holy Spirit given to the Christians in Jerusalem. In this way there could be no question that the gospel was for the nations and that the Jews and Samaritans, once bitter enemies, were now brothers and sisters and members of the same household of God because of their shared faith. The Jerusalem believers had received the Spirit at Pentecost (2:1-13), and now, at the proper time, apostles from the mother church were there to witness and welcome the incorporation of the Samaritan believers into God’s church. We see a similar action in the case of Cornelius (11:14-17).

Acts 8:18-24

After the apostles laid their hands on the Samaritans, they received the Holy Spirit. Simon saw this event, and he audaciously offered the apostles money(v. 19) to impart the Spirit’s power to him. Luke records Peter’s fierce reply (vv. 20-23) and Simon’s response (v. 24).

Perhaps Simon theorized that if he could possess the power he witnessed, he could make quite a profit for himself. He is clearly ignorant about the nature of the Spirit in this passage, perhaps thinking the Spirit an impersonal force that can be manipulated rather than as a divine person to whom he is to yield and by whom he should live.

Peter sharply rebukes him, essentially saying, “To hell with you and your money!” He sees in Simon a complete misunderstanding of God and his grace. Simon’s misunderstanding was so serious, in fact, that Peter adds, “You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God” (v. 21).

In Acts Luke uses the word share to mean either “ministry” (1:17) or “participation in salvation” (26:18). The latter option seems the best application here. Peter condemns Simon as one who does not have Christ’s salvation. But then Peter, who has just consigned him and his money to hell, calls Simon to repentance (vv. 23-24), which is a command typically delivered to the unregenerate (2:38; 3:19; 17:30; 26:20).

Peter knew Simon was in extreme danger because his heart was so corrupt before God. Rather than possessing a humble faith that receives God’s good gifts, Simon thought he could manipulate, control, and pay God off. Such wickedness, which was exposed in his question, was met with Peter’s gracious and stern exhortation (see vv. 23-24). Peter perceives that Simon is poisoned in hostility (“bitterness,” see Deut 29:18) and enslaved to sin (“bound by wickedness”). He tells him to pray, without presuming on God’s grace (“if possible”), and to ask the Lord for forgiveness. Simon then responds in what seems to be sincerity (v. 24).

This event teaches us two important lessons.

1. The Holy Spirit isn’t for sale. The prerogative to give the Holy Spirit belongs to God. We can’t purchase salvation or the gifts of God. He isn’t our personal genie; he’s our omnipotent Lord. That means our money, social status, and talents cannot save us or cause God to appoint us to positions in his kingdom. Salvation is a gift from God by faith in Jesus Christ (15:11), and our spiritual gifts, which should be used to serve the church, are gifts from God that are distributed according to his perfect will (1 Cor 12:11). True influence in the kingdom should be sought, but we should do it Jesus’s way for Jesus’s glory. This involves humble faith, courageous hope, hard work, sacrificial love, and hearts continually enthralled with the grace of God.

2. We really should marvel at God’s amazing grace. I feel a degree of sympathy for Simon, since he was rooted deeply in paganism and trying—at least at some level—to understand Christianity. It saddens me that he didn’t realize that the gospel frees a person from addiction to self and possessions. It makes one honest and generous. But where I can’t feel sorry for Simon is when I realize that his lack of understanding happened in part just because he was so interested in his own glory and power.

What a gift he received in Peter’s rebuke! He was offered a chance to repent and beforgiven. This is grace.

Simon’s case is different from the Ananias and Sapphira situation (5:1-11), in which the hypocritical couple was immediately judged. Perhaps the couple’s sin was dealt with more harshly because it was premeditated while Simon’s sin was committed at least in part by ignorance. Whatever the differentiation may be, Simon was graciously given a second chance. That’s why his story should make us repent and say, “God have mercy on us. Thank you, Lord, for your patience with us.” What a marvelous Savior we have in Jesus!

Acts 8:25

After the episode with Simon, the apostles went back to Jerusalem. En route, they did more gospel preaching “in many villages of the Samaritans.” Their focus reminds us that we should imitate their unceasing efforts at proclamation.

Allow me to draw some big ideas from this text.

Proclaim the gospel. Philip, Peter, and John preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16). It’s not enough simply to “live out the gospel.” We must proclaim and explain it. In the pulpit, at our workplaces, around our dinner tables, wherever we are, we must tell about the goodness of God, explain the truth about sin, and draw attention to the glorious redemption we have in Jesus Christ. Recall what Paul told the Corinthians:

For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. (1 Cor 1:21)

So preach Christ! Consider how to communicate the gospel comprehensibly to your culture.

Proclaim the gospel in various situations. Philip and the persecuted Jerusalem Christians leveraged their scattering for the progress of the gospel. On the way back to Jerusalem, Peter and John stopped to preach the gospel to “many villages.” This is a reminder of our need to live with gospel intentionality. The church is made up of mothers, servers, bankers, salespeople, cooks, students, athletes, police officers, and many ­others—each of whom should adopt the posture of a missionary. In all that you do, no matter your role, ask, How can I proclaim and teach Christ in this situation?

God desires that you be deliberate about sharing the gospel with your children, coworkers, customers, teammates, and colleagues. In some situations this may mean you gradually bear witness to Christ in how you live with the aim of sharing the good news when someone asks what’s different about you. Or—and in many cases—it may mean you need to look for and take advantage of direct opportunities to describe to others the good news and Christ’s impact in your life. Evangelism should be a thread woven throughout our daily lives. We must be deliberate about leveraging our lives for the progress of the gospel.

Praise God for his work of salvation among the nations. Thank God for this wonderful narrative about the power and progress of the gospel at work among the Samaritans. It subtly reminds us to repent of any prejudices toward those some think are less worthy of salvation than others. May we pray for the faith to believe that no one is beyond the reach of God’s saving grace. And may we willingly share that good news with the people whose lives intersect with our own.