Lesson 4628

  

(Lesson 4628)(10-05-24) Acts 8:13-17 

   Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 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 the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” 

 

   Today's quote presents a scriptural dilemma for some who study the New Testament. It explains that although the Samaritans believed the message Philip preached, they did not receive the Holy Spirit until Peter and John arrived and prayed for them. This suggests that something about Philip’s message was either incomplete or misunderstood by the Samaritans. This assumption arises because when the crowds heard Peter preaching Jesus at Pentecost and later at the house of Cornelius, they believed and immediately received the Holy Spirit. They required no additional prayers, baptisms, or the laying on of hands by the apostles. I am convinced that the listeners at both Pentecost and the house of Cornelius were baptized in the Holy Spirit as Peter spoke. In essence, the text indicates two distinct types of baptisms referenced in these accounts. The first is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is imparted instantly when a person fully believes that Jesus is the Messiah, the only begotten, virgin-born Son of God. The second is water baptism, which is still practiced today by the Jews to physically cleanse the recipient in preparation for a religious event. I believe that during those events, there was widespread confusion among the early believers regarding the true gospel of Jesus, which led to misunderstandings like the one described.  

NOTE: This apparent dilemma will be further discussed in tomorrows lesson.