Why the Spirit was Delayed to the Samaritans

2024-11-03

Acts is often seen as a transitional book. The Spirit did not immediately come upon the Samaritans when they believed. Why was that, especially when the Bible reads, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9)?

In the beginning, the apostles were present when each group, the Jews, the Samaritans, and the Gentiles, were first saved. “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18). They were witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 1:21-22). Because they were given authority, they were the ones to confirm and testify that each of these groups were saved so no one could argue against it.

This was important because Jews wanted nothing to do with Samaritans or Gentiles in those days (John 4:9; Acts 10:28). These apostles said, in other words, “Yes, these Samaritans and Gentiles truly received the Spirit and were saved. They are legit.” Now that these had confirmed believers in their groups, no apostle is needed anymore to confirm every salvation; it is on record that anyone can be saved apart from their nation or ethnicity. “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?” (Acts 11:17).