Lesson 4630

 (Lesson 4630)(10-07-24) Acts 8:18-24 

   “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.” 

 

   Today’s quote recounts Simon the Sorcerer witnessing the apostles imparting the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. He offered them money, seeking the same power but Peter rebuked him, condemned his corrupt intent, and urged him to repent. Simon, fearing judgment fearing the judgement of God, asked Peter to pray for him. ~

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.” 

   The Samaritans’ delayed reception of the Holy Spirit, as seen in Acts 8:12, suggests an error in Philip’s message compared to what Peter preached at Pentecost and to the household of Cornelius. Peter’s complete gospel, to those who believed it, resulted in immediate Spiritual baptism into Christ’s death, burial and resurrection without the necessity of extra actions such as prayer by the apostles or the laying on of their hands. It is very important to note that Peter recommended water baptism only after the believers had already been redeemed and had received the Holy Ghost through faith alone. That implies that Philip’s message lacked key doctrinal elements for full belief.  
This topic will be further discussed as these lessons continue. ~ 

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. 

Lesson 4627

 (Lesson 4627)(10-04-24) Acts 8:12 

   “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.”  

 

   Today’s quote describes how the people believed Philip’s preaching the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, both men and women were baptized. This verse highlights the impact of Philip's ministry and the willingness of the Samaritans to accept his message. However, as we will determine later in these lessons, the message Philip preached was lacking in some very important substance, seeing that when the Samaritans believed it and were baptized in water, but did not receive the Holy Ghost, signifying that Philip’s message was lacking in that it did not bring with it the imparting of the Holy Ghost to those who believed it. That error and its correction will all be explained in later lessons. ~ 

Lesson 4626

 (Lesson 4626)(10-03-24) Acts 8:9-11 

   “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.” 

 

   Today’s lesson identifies Simon the sorcerer and explains how he held influence over the Samaritan people until Philip taught them about Jesus. ~ 

Lesson 4625

 (Lesson 4625)(10-02-24) Acts 8:1-8 

    “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” 

 

    Today’s quote relates that after Stephen’s death, a great persecution of Christians began in Jerusalem, causing the believers to scatter throughout Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles who stayed in Jerusalem. Saul (later Paul) was heavily involved in carrying out that persecution, going house to house and imprisoning Christians. Despite their constant fear, those who scattered continued preaching the word wherever they went. Philip went to the city of Samaria, performed miracles, and proclaimed Christ to the people, resulting in many being healed and delivered. ~ 

Lesson 4624

 (Lesson 4624)(10-01-24) Acts 7:54-60

 

     ^“When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

 

    Today’s quote tells us that after Stephen’s speech, the council members were enraged. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at God’s right hand. He told them of this vision, which further angered the mob. They dragged him out of the city and stoned him. As he was dying, Stephen prayed for the Lord to receive his spirit and asked God to forgive his attackers. Then, he peacefully passed away. ~