In a look back at Acts, chapters 1 to 8, BRUCE C WEARNE looks at how the disciples were led to reach out to the Samaritans…
SENT OUT: Bruce C Wearne writes that chapters one to eight of Acts tell of how the disciples were sent to reach out to the Samaritan people. PICTURE: Gabriel Rezende Souza/www.freeimages.com
IN A NUTSHELL
The seed of the Good News of Jesus Christ continued to be broadcast far and wide and those who believed in the Lord’s Chosen One follow Him in their sufferings. The community of believers discover the depth of opposition to the message of love and forgiveness, but they find they have been prepared when God’s Spirit overcomes their own opposition. In this way the Holy Spirit promotes boldness and joy.
Previously, on their trip up to Jerusalem with Jesus, James and John showed they were fired by the spiritual enmity that had characterised Judah’s relationship with Samaria for hundreds of years. Jesus’ rebuke (Luke 9:55) indicated their blindness. The Son of Man had come to heal and that breach was not outside His power. In fact, we now see it was indeed part of His brief, but that healing also included James and John (and the others) who had previously so seriously misunderstood Jesus’ Messianic mission.
So now, once more waiting for the Spirit’s leading in Jerusalem, they may have begun to wonder how Jesus’ words – “you will be my witnesses in Samaria” – would be fulfilled. The persecution had sent so many into exile from Jerusalem. Would Samaria have to wait until things had settled down? Then news of Philip’s work alerted them to a new work prompted by the Holy Spirit. Obviously, God Himself was at work in Samaria preparing the way. The Messiah of Israel had come to heal historical rifts that would no longer keep people from serving each other in the bonds of love.
And so we now read how Peter and John proclaimed the Good News in Samaritan villages, on their way back to Jerusalem. This means that in these communities were those willing to show hospitality to those coming to and from Jerusalem that they were not able to show a few months earlier. Now Peter and John preached in those towns where news of God’s Prince was welcomed. They were caught up in Jesus’ ministry of reconciliation. The Samaritan towns received power to make them “good Samaritans”.
Does a preacher have to stay around after a new church has been set up to ensure its ongoing viability? That does not seem to be how Philip operated. The Holy Spirit prompted Philip to move on. Luke emphasises this. The Samaritans had believed that God’s deliverer would come. They organised their common life of service to God and neighbour from their own synagogues. Now after Peter and John came down from Jerusalem to their villages, they became part of the network of churches believing in Jesus Christ. They also had their work to do; God’s Spirit was there with them as well.
The Gospel kept on rolling. Isaiah’s prophecies came to a stark fulfilment out on the Gaza Road. Someone who could not enter the temple was baptised. God’s promises were coming true for all kinds of people. The persecution in Jerusalem caused many to flee for their lives. But under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, new chapters in the story of God’s grace were being told.
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