Msg #2617 Repentance toward God Faith toward Christ

Msg #2617 Repentance toward God Faith toward Christ

What The Bible Says
Good Samaritan’s Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

In Acts.8, when the Samaritans received the gospel, there are things to observe about conversion, indwelling, and baptism. Of conversion, where old things are passed away and all things become new, Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matt.18:3). Conversion, in short, is “repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts.20:21). Repentance is less about being sorry for sin, and more about turning from false beliefs. Jews were warned to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees (Matt.16:6), and here the Samaritans had the leaven of Simon the Sorcerer who bewitched them, “to whom all gave heed, from the lease to the greatest” (8:10). This false monetary “religious system” had to be rejected, they had to turn from it, even Simon had to repent of it (8:22). Also note these baptized Samaritans did not receive the Holy Ghost until the apostles sent Peter and John to witness their receiving of the Holy Ghost. The Samaritans were not Jews, per se, but they were not Gentiles; when the gospel transformed them the apostles were witnesses. It’s above my pay grade to opinion if Simon was truly saved, it says he was, but when this chapter closes, he is in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity. Despite his words, he was not to be received into fellowship. Putting brethren out of the church fellowship is taught by Paul in 1Cor.5, but bringing them back will involve genuine repentance, not just of their deed, but of the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity. In Acts 8 Simon didn’t get there, and Peter and John were content to leave him out of fellowship; an important lesson to learn and apply.

An Essay for week #17 Apr 26, 2026
Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs260426.mp3
12 Systematic Theology Volumes www.GSBaptistChurch.com/theology
Read the Penny Pulpit in blog www.gsbcpastorrice.wordpress.com

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