Coming to faith, part 4

The evangelist Philip proclaimed the word of God in the city of Samaria, and the people received the word. The Bible says: “But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” As a sign of their faith in Jesus, these people were therefore baptized in water, by immersion.

But baptism in the Holy Spirit was still to come, which is why Samaria needed not only Philip but also Peter and John, of whom it is written: “who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

In the light of the rest of Scripture, we can say with certainty that in Samaria people were understood to have been baptized in the Holy Spirit on the same basis as in Cornelius’s house in Caesarea.

The Bible tells of what happened in Caesarea: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?”

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved — both eternally and also in this age “from the corruption that is in the world through lust.” So take hold by faith of this salvation that is offered to you also in Jesus.

Eternal salvation is possible only through Jesus, for “in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.”

- Mark 16; Acts 4, 8, 10; 2 Pet 1 -