Peter And John In Samaria; Acts 8:14 – 25 – Part One

Church History: 14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19 and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." 24Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me." 25When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
Philip had done a masterful job in his work as an evangelist at Samaria, but he was only an evangelist; there were some peculiar powers reserved to the apostles, for the keeping up of the dignity of their office, and here we have an account of what was done by two of them there, Peter and John. The twelve kept together at Jerusalem (Acts 8:1), and soon the good tidings were brought them that Samaria had received the word of God (Acts 8:14), that a great harvest of souls was gathered, and was likely to be gathered to Christ there. The word of God was not only preached to them, but received by them; they welcome it, admitted the light of it, and submitted to the power of it: When they heard it, they sent Peter and John to visit them. If Peter had been, as some say he was, the prince of the apostles, he would have sent other apostles, or, if he had seen cause, would have gone himself of his own accord; but he was so far from this that he submitted to an order of the house, and, as a servant to the body, went wherever they sent him. Two apostles were sent, the two most eminent, to Samaria. They were sent to encourage Philip, to assist him, and strengthen his hands. Ministers in a higher station, and that excel in gifts and graces, should endeavor to be helpful to those in a lower sphere, and contribute to their comfort and usefulness.