What is the theme of this chapter?
Jews scattered and the preaching in Samaria.
What is the key verse(s) of this chapter? Verses 12, 14-17
"But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
"Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."
What can I apply to my life from this chapter (things to do/avoid)?
It is very encouraging to look at the victory of those scattered Jews. Men may persecute believers, put them in prison, take away everything they own, even kill them, but they cannot rob them of their message.
In fact, killing them can often proclaim the truth louder than life and health ever could. As Stam said so well, "And this, in the final analysis, is all that matters. The only reason God has left us here—the only good reason for wanting to be here—is to glorify God by proclaiming the blessed message of grace to the multitudes about us. Every other reason for living—or dying—revolves around this reason."
Additional observations/questions:
The Samaritans actually put the leaders at Jerusalem to shame because they listened to Philip and trusted Christ as their Messiah. Once before the Samaritans at Sychar had responded like this when Christ Himself had appeared among them (Jn 4:39). Who would have ever thought that Israel's leaders — the Pharisees and scribes — would have rejected their Messiah while the children of apostate Samaria accepted Him.
But it's always been this way, hasn't it? The truth is not the private property of a favored few who may look down on those who don't have it. The truth is God's Word to be believed! So often those in the most unfortunate circumstances believe the truth, while those who are privileged, thinking they have no more to learn, reject it.
Jews scattered and the preaching in Samaria.
What is the key verse(s) of this chapter? Verses 12, 14-17
"But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
"Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."
What can I apply to my life from this chapter (things to do/avoid)?
It is very encouraging to look at the victory of those scattered Jews. Men may persecute believers, put them in prison, take away everything they own, even kill them, but they cannot rob them of their message.
In fact, killing them can often proclaim the truth louder than life and health ever could. As Stam said so well, "And this, in the final analysis, is all that matters. The only reason God has left us here—the only good reason for wanting to be here—is to glorify God by proclaiming the blessed message of grace to the multitudes about us. Every other reason for living—or dying—revolves around this reason."
Additional observations/questions:
The Samaritans actually put the leaders at Jerusalem to shame because they listened to Philip and trusted Christ as their Messiah. Once before the Samaritans at Sychar had responded like this when Christ Himself had appeared among them (Jn 4:39). Who would have ever thought that Israel's leaders — the Pharisees and scribes — would have rejected their Messiah while the children of apostate Samaria accepted Him.
But it's always been this way, hasn't it? The truth is not the private property of a favored few who may look down on those who don't have it. The truth is God's Word to be believed! So often those in the most unfortunate circumstances believe the truth, while those who are privileged, thinking they have no more to learn, reject it.
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