In this incredible account of revival, there are a number of important lessons. Through the ministry of Peter and John, they received the baptism of fire they had been missing. Although multitudes of Samaritans had been converted and baptized in water, none of them had received the power of the Holy Spirit. With all of Samaria now blazing with revival, the apostles sent Peter and John to help Philip. Despite his own dark powers, he was astonished by what he was seeing. Even Simon, a powerful sorcerer, began to follow Philip. So many people were healed that the whole city was filled with joy. Therefore, beneath their hostility and religiosity, there was already an openness to the message of Jesus.Īs Philip began to preach, the Lord confirmed his words with miraculous healings. Many Samaritans had already heard about what had happened in Sychar, when the woman at the well had been dramatically touched by Jesus. When Philip entered Samaria, he was unaware that Jesus had already been sowing seeds there. Deep inside, he realized they were being pushed out of Jerusalem and Judea so they could reach Samaria, and, ultimately, the uttermost parts of the world. Yet, even in the midst of his turmoil and pain, he knew that the church was not merely being scattered they were being sown. After his dear friend, Stephen, had been brutally murdered, and he had been forced, along with thousands of other Christians, to flee Jerusalem, Philip had wondered if his life was over. Philip almost felt like he had spiritual vertigo everything had been spinning so fast in his life. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them…. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. He boasted that he was someone great… But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
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