"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."
Today's quote introduces Simon the sorcerer, a man who was highly feared and who had bewitched the Samarian people with his sorcery for a long time. However, when Philip preached about the kingdom of God, and "the name of Jesus Christ", they believed him and many rejected the sorcery of Simon.
The latter part of today's quote tells us that the Samarians, after they had heard Philip preach "the name of Jesus Christ", were "baptized".
It is my belief that the word "baptized", as it is applied in the context of this lesson, along with what occurred after the Samarians believed Philip, is referring to either a water immersion of the type that was ritually administered according to the old law of the Jews, or to a different meaning of the word "baptize" altogether. (We will discuss this alternate meaning in an upcoming lesson.) My reason for believing this is that the Samarians did not receive the Holy Ghost as one would automatically upon believing in Jesus Christ as faith in Him leading to eternal salvation.
An example of what I have said here can be found in Acts 10:42-47, "And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that THROUGH HIS NAME WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS. While Peter yet spake these words, THE HOLY GHOST FELL ON ALL THEM WHICH HEARD THE WORD. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that ON THE GENTILES ALSO WAS POURED OUT THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"
The above example provides that, "that through his name whosoever believeth in him (Jesus) shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word."
As we see in the last quote, the Holy Ghost came through believe in Jesus, water baptism has nothing to do with receiving the Holy Ghost.~
NOTE: We will continue this lesson tomorrow.
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