by Timothy W. Burnett
Phillip went to the city of Samaria and taught about Jesus Christ. The people began to listen closely to him and heed his words because of the miracles he did. Unclean devil spirits came out of many who were possessed and others were healed. The result was great joy prevailed in the city. There was a man named Simon who was a true sorcerer and corrupted the people of Samaria because he made himself out to be a great individual. For years people gave their attention to him as if he was the great power of God.
After Phillip began to teach the truth, the people believed and were baptized (see Acts 8:12). To be baptized meant to be baptized with holy spirit. What did they believe to be baptized? They believed with their hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Look at verse 13 and see the extent of God's love, "Then Simon himself believed also, and when he was baptized, he continued with Phillip and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done."
Simon had to beieve with his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead in order to be baptized. Isn't that just beautiful? Even Simon who walked by the power of satan was filled with holy spirit just like the first 12 recorded in Acts 2:4. Continuing with verse 18, "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the holy ghost was given, he offered them money. He said, 'Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the holy ghost.'"
Wait a minute! Didn't we just read that Simon was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ? He had just been filled with hoy spirit. Why did he ask for "this power?" What did he see and hear that caused him to say this? There is only one possible answer. He must have seen them speak in tongues just as the first people did in Acts 2:4. He saw the power of God being manifested in speaking in tongues.
After the people were baptized, word got to the apostles in Jerusalem that Samaria had received the word of God. They came to Samaria to help them receive the holy ghost. The word "receive" in the context of the word of God came from the Greek word "dechomai" and meant to favorably receive information. It is directly related to believing with the heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. The word "receive" in the context of the holy ghost came from the Greek word "lambano" and meant to lay hold of or seize unto something with ownership.
When they received (dechomai) God's word about Jesus Christ with a favorable frame of mind they were filled with holy spirit. Then they received (lambano) the holy ghost when they started speaking in tongues. Next week we will look at Acts 10-11 and see clearly how speaking in tongues was directly related to receiving the holy ghost.
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