The physician Luke wrote “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”, and in chapter eight and verse sixteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the Holy Ghost, “was fallen upon none of them” where we read:
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
The verse begins, “(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them:” Luke parenthetically began with the words, “for as yet” which means “because, since and on account that at that time” “he was fallen upon” or “the Holy Ghost had possessed, embraced, seized or come upon” “none of them” which means “not a single one of the believers in Jesus in Samaria”. Luke parenthetically shared how God's “Holy Spirit” had not come upon or embraced any of the believers in Samaria.
The verse goes on to say, “... only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)”. Luke continued with the words, “only they were baptized” which means “ but merely the believers in Samaria were immersed, submerged and dipped for cleansing” “in the name” or “within the name and everything which the name covers including the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering” “of the Lord Jesus” which means “belonging to the One to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah”. Luke shared how the believers in Samaria were only “water baptized” in Jesus' name.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Luke shared why “Peter and John” were praying for the believers in Samaria. The “Holy Spirit” of God had not “fallen upon” them yet, and the “Holy Spirit” would provide the ability to live according to their faith in Jesus. Jesus said, “You shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is fallen upon you. And you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and to the uttermost part of the world”, (See Acts 1:8), and God's “power” would be available to the believers in Samaria when His “Holy Spirit” “fell upon” them. We shall see how the believers in Samaria “received” the Holy Spirit in our next verse, but for now, let us understand that receiving God's Holy Spirit was important enough for “Peter and John” to pray, and everyone who receives Jesus should “receive” the “falling” of His Holy Spirit as well.
Next time Luke shares how “Peter and John”, “laid their hands on them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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