Philip and Simon in Samaria
By Timothy Glover
When Philip went to Samaria, Acts 8 records that he “preached Christ unto them” (v. 5). Then, in verses 6-11 we learn that they “gave heed” to Philip’s teaching, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. Simon, a sorcerer, is no longer getting the attention that he once had with them. It is obvious that they see a difference in Simon’s sorceries and Philip’s miracles. Samaritans’ Response: The response is recorded in verse 12, “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.” Simon’s Response: “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done” (verse 13). Even Simon was amazed at what he had seen of Philip’s miracles.
Philip, who was no apostle, clearly had the power to perform miracles. The apostles had laid their hands upon the seven whom they had chosen to care for the widows (Acts 6:6). Philip was one of those seven men who had been given the power through the laying on of the apostles’ hands. Yet, Philip could not pass the power on to others. Instead, apostles had to go there to give it to them. The text reads, “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria 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: (For as yet he was fallen upon non e of them; only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) then laid they their hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost.” The power of Peter and John was even more remark-able to Simon than he had seen in Philip. Thus, “when he saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money saying, ‘Give me also this power that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit’.”
A similar instance is found in Acts 19:7 when Paul laid his hands on the 12 baptized disciples of John. Afterward, they spoke in tongues (cf. 2 Tim. 1:6) So, the promise of Jesus in Mark 16:17-18 was not only conditioned on faith and baptism. It was also required that the apostles lay their hands on them.
Now, what do you suppose would happen after the apostles died? You guessed it. This is in harmony with the purpose of the tongues and all miracles; namely, to confirm the word spoken as being from God. Since there can be no new revelation (Jude 3, Gal. 1:6-9) to confirm seeing that it is complete, their purpose is accomplished. Similarly, the gift ceased because the means ceased. Therefore, there can be no genuine tongues today as was known in the N.T.
Return Home
| Pentecost | Ethiopian | Simon | Saul
| Cornelius
| Jailer
| Samaritans
| Non-conversions
|
Saul-2
| Lydia
| Faith of Abraham
| |