When Were the Samaritans Born Again?

We find the story of certain Samaritans in Acts chapter 8, who heard Philip preach the gospel, and "gave heed" unto the things he told them. The Bible, we are told, says that they "believed", and were baptized in water because of their new found faith. Were they "born again" because they believed, and obeyed the things Philip told them?

When we ask the question "when were the Samaritans born again?", it must be understood that we are also asking "when did the Samaritans receive the Spirit?" For "without the Spirit we are none of his" (Rom8:9), and therefore we must ask, "when did the Samaritans receive the Spirit"? Was it when they "believed" as many Christians teach?

Paul's question, "Have ye received the holy Ghost since ye believed?", was asked of a group of Ephesian disciples who had, as shown by Paul's inquiry, "believed". Not only had they believed, but they had also been baptized with water (just as the Samaritans had in Acts 8); yet, according to their own testimony, they had "not so much as heard whether there be any holy Ghost." What a picture of thousands upon thousands today who, in reality, have not heard about the holy Ghost! Think of the multitudes today who have believed and been baptized with water; still, they are without the promised Comforter - the holy Ghost!

The principal reason so many followers of Christ now have not yet received the Comforter is the same reason that the twelve Ephesian disciples had not yet received it; that is, they were taught by a man who himself had not yet received the holy Ghost. Namely, "Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John" (Acts 18:24-25). Of course, "when Aquila and Priscilla [a Spirit-filled man and his wife] had heard [him teaching], they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly"; that is, they explained the truth concerning Jesus's perfect baptism, a truth that is unquestionably needed among multitudes today who have been taught only a form of repentance and water baptism.

Our question regarding the Samaritan believer is another other example in the Bible of believers who did not (for a short time) have the holy Ghost. For instance, when "Philip went down to Samaria, and preached Christ unto them . . . the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voices, came out of many that were possessed with them, and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city." Moreover, we are told that "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. . . . Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had 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 it was fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then [Peter and John] laid their hands on them, and they received the holy Ghost."

It is possible to be a "believer", yet still not be "born again". It is possible to be "obeying God", but to not have obeyed Him completely. It is possible to love Jesus, yet not have the wonderful "new birth" experience.

The early congregation did not wait until the new believers had grown cold and disheartened because of the disappointments and defeats they encountered in the start of their journey, but straightway they brought them into the fullness of the holy Ghost. My friend, those early believers were never left to go their own way, but were made partakers of the blessed holy Ghost - the most marvelous experience that can happen to us this side of heaven. Oh, that it were so today with all those who have believed the message concerning Jesus! God has provided for His children the power to live a rejoicing life through the holy Ghost. This life was not for the apostles and early congregation alone, but for every believer in every generation. Reader, this includes you and me. The coming of the holy Ghost into one's life does not bring a burdensome responsibility to live up to some disagreeable command, as many seem to think; on the contrary, it brings God's gracious offer for a victorious life here among men. And this life is not only the believer's privilege, but it is also God's command (Acts 1:4; 17:30).

John the Baptist's ministry was intended to prepare Israel to receive Christ Jesus and his baptism. He baptized with water all Jews who repented, thus making them candidates for Jesus's baptism with the holy Spirit. John's message was this: "I baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire." Water baptism was offered to the Jews with the understanding that it was only a preparation for the baptism of the holy Spirit. Isn't it quite strange that so many have received the testimony of John concerning water baptism; yet, at the same time have rejected it with regard to the baptism of the holy Ghost! For as John administered the one, he promised that Christ would administer the other.

"Jesus shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire." If you have not yet received the holy Ghost baptism (with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, my friend, you have not been born again yet. All who believe in Jesus, will receive his baptism.

Many today have been spiritually conceived, that is, have had the word of God sown in their hearts, yet they are living in condemnation - condemnation that light has come and they have not walked in it. They know that the Bible teaches that believers should receive the baptism of the holy Ghost, but they have not met God's conditions to receive it. Why haven't they? Only God can say. But one thing is certain: God will not give them the holy Ghost until they do. Those who have been spiritually conceived, or convicted of sin by the word of God, are required to walk in the light, or they will live in constant condemnation. If it was appropriate to ask first-century believers this question, it is appropriate to ask believers now. A believer today who hasn't received the holy Ghost is, in this regard, no different from Jesus's disciples before they received it. The followers of Jesus had been conceived by the word of God (Jn.16:20-24) and were told by Jesus that their names were written in heaven (Lk.10:20); nevertheless, they did not yet have the holy Ghost in them (Jn.14:17). There is, and there always has been, a believing before receiving the holy Ghost. Indeed, my reader, the baptism of the Spirit is an experience that every sincere believer will pursue. In the earliest congregation this was the case. No one who was conceived by the word of God ever stopped seeking until he received the baptism of the Spirit, the gift of God.

Some consider the baptism of the holy Ghost to be merely a privilege, or something that comes AFTER being born again. But we read in Acts 5:32, "And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the holy Ghost, which God hath given to them that obey him." Now, reader, can't you see that if you haven't yet received the holy Ghost, it is because you have not been obedient? And if you have not been obedient, then you have been disobedient, have you not? Disobedience, as students of the Bible know, is "as the sin of witchcraft". Such sin, my friend, brings condemnation to the heart; and condemnation will destroy any believer if he doesn't repent and rid himself of it.

The baptism with the holy Ghost is the prime credential of Jesus, proving that he is indeed Israel's Messiah, according to John's testimony; and we believe what John said. In other words, if Jesus had not bestowed the baptism of the holy Ghost, John's testimony concerning him would have fallen to the ground, since his clear declaration was that the Christ would bestow this baptism of the Spirit. Then, whoever it is who administers the baptism of the holy Ghost is the Christ, the Savior of the world. That person is Jesus. And that is who the Samaritans had faith in.

After the Samaritans had believed, the Apostles were sent down to them? Why? Wasn't what Philip did there sufficient? They had believed. They had been baptized. There were signs and miracles done there. It is clear that this would be sufficient for Christians today just about everywhere! But is was NOT sufficient in the truth the early congregation knew and walked in. The Apostles knew that these believers needed a new birth experience. And for that, Peter and John were sent to finish the work of God. To bring them into the kingdom of God.

What is the meaning for us today? Don't let men stop you short. You MUST receive the holy Ghost baptism, because that is how you are put into the body of Christ (1Cor.12:13); and being a part of the precious body is God's desire for every individual who has ever begun to believe. It was so for the Samaritans, and it will be so until the end of this age.

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