When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever felt like an outcast or someone who is not quite qualified to be in the presence of others? I have.  Maybe it is a family gathering where most of the people have a history, but not so much with you. Maybe it is a work event where people want to participate in activities that are not Godly and you decline but are shunned a bit.  Maybe everyone else knows your sinful past and they look down on you.

Whatever the issue, rejection can be a formidable foe to deal with. In fact, some bad actors know this and count on it paralyzing their targets.

The Samaritans felt rejected and considered “half-breeds” and “not good enough” for the Jews. This is the situation Phillip was preaching into, and Peter and John traveled into.

It was important for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit — which happened as Peter and John laid hands on them. This was also symbolic of the Spirit of God becoming available to non-Jews. It was important for the leaders of the early church to fully recognize the Samaritan Christians as equals to the Jewish Christians. I believe this is a likely secondary reason for this trip.

This is a very important phase of the ministry of the church.  The gospel is spreading and the early church wanted to build their ranks well.

Lord, praise you for your wonderful ways! You use all types of people and things to show yourself to people. Help me to remain in your Spirit today and everyday going forward.