Lesson 1922

(Lesson 1922)(01-27-17) Acts 8:9-13

"But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But 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. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done."

After carefully considering the possibilities concerning "baptism" that occurred in Samaria after Philip preached "things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ", I believe the term "baptized", as it appears in this translation, was mis-applied seeing that the Samarians didn't immediately receive the Holy Ghost, as they certainly would have upon having absolute faith acceptance of Jesus Christ unto eternal salvation.

The fact is undeniably evident that at least one of Philip's listeners did not totally believe in Jesus since he tried to buy the power of the Holy Ghost.

I realize this observation leaves a lot to be discussed, and I am certainly open to that discussion. I know that like this instance there are other places in the New Testament that appear, on the surface, to be contradictions. But, I also know that the truth of God's plan for eternal salvation lies within the text of the New Testament and that there is NO contradictions as to how it is to be accomplished. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Undergoing water baptism is a work.~