Act 8:4-5 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching (euaggelizō) the word. (5) Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached (kērusso)̄ Christ to them.. Samaria 50 miles

Act 8:6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. Act 8:7-8 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. (8) And there was great joy in that city.

(9) But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery (Gr. mageia), and bewitched/astonished (existēmi) the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: (10) To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. (11) And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched/astonished (existēmi) them with sorceries. (12) But 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.

Act 8:13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed (existēmi), seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Not everyone who says they believe and are baptized are saved. (See Jn. 2:23,24; Jn. 8:31-59 Rom. 10:9,10)

2Pe 1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure,… Unbelieving Believers and Wet Sinners 1Jn 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.  Walking in the light and not walking in darkness/sin  Not loving the world and the things in it  Keeping Christs commandments – The two mentioned (I Jn. 3:23)  1. Believe on Jesus 2. Love one another  Proper view of the Deity of Christ

Act 8:14-17 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, (15) who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. (16) For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (17) Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

 Apostolic Churches – Speaking in tongues is the evidence of salvation  Pentecostal – You must speak in tongues as evidence of being filled with the Spirit.  Charismatic – Non-Pentecostal churches that believe you must speak in tongues as evidence of being filled with the Spirit. (Baptist, Independent, Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic, etc.)  Most Pentecostal and Charismatic churches believe You receive the Holy Spirit when you believe. The baptism/filling of the Holy Spirit comes subsequent to salvation manifested by speaking in tongues.  Evangelical Non-Pentecostal/Charismatic– The baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place the moment you believe and are placed into the body of Christ.(I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:13) The filling of the Holy Spirit can come at the moment of comes from a complete yielding to God. It may or not manifest in tongues but it will always manifest in a surrendered fruit filled life.  Cessationists – The gift of tongues has ceased and is no evidence of anything except possible demonic invasion, deception, or lunacy. Various Views Among Professed Christians

Why is there so much confusion?  Interpretation of the Book of Acts Acts is continuation of the story after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is the Word of God that tells us historically what happened but it doesn’t enlarge upon the history through doctrinal teaching as do the epistles.  Personal Experiences People tend to relate to life by experiences. If one has a powerful experience then one has a tendency to interpret truth through the experience rather than interpreting the experience through the truth.

Act 8:18-19 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, (19) saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Act 8:20-24 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! (21) You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. (22) Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. (23) For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness/in the gall of bitterness and bound by iniquity." (24) Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."

Act 8:25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.