Luke the physician wrote how Philip the apostle of Jesus went to Samaria to share the gospel, and he did so many miracles that there was great joy in the city. However, “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. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John”, and in chapter eight and verse fifteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how the apostles, “prayed for them” where we read:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
The verse begins, “Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, ...” Luke began with the words, “who, when they were come down” which means “at the time and moment Peter and John descended to Samaria”, “prayed for them” or “supplicated and made earnest intercession on behalf of the believers in Samaria”. Luke shared how “Peter and John” came to “Samaria” and “prayed for” the new believers there.
The verse continues, “... that they might receive the Holy Ghost:”. Luke added the words, “that they might receive” which means “so the believers in Samaria might lay hold of, claim and procure” “the Holy Ghost” or “the sacred, pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son”. Luke shared how “Peter and John” prayed that the believers in “Samaria” would lay hold of, claim and procure the “Holy Spirit of God”.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn about the purpose for “Peter and John” coming to see the believers in Samaria. The believers in Samaria understood God's “gospel” of salvation through His Son Jesus, and they believed, but there was more for them to lay hold of with God. “Peter and John” “prayed” that they “might receive” God's “Holy Spirit”, and we shall see why they felt it was necessary to do this. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. When they believe and trust in Him like these people in Samaria, they may also “receive” the Holy Spirit in the manner of which “Peter and John” prayed. Those who are wise will desire all God intends for them as they surrender themselves to Him.
Next time Luke shares how the Holy Ghost, “was fallen upon none of 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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