A new group of followers of Jesus in Samaria is breaking news in Jerusalem! The apostles, who are still in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1) hear that inhabitants of Samaria have accepted the Word of God (“dechomai,” ESV: accepted
, compare Matthew 13:20, Acts 11:1; Acts 17:11) and reacted positively. They send Peter and John to Samaria.
These two are important church leaders, who more often worked together, like with the healing of the crippled man (Acts 3:1–26) and the witness they brought together before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1–37) after which they were released from prison again. They are two apostles of the first hour (see John 1:41–43), the pillars of the early church (see Galatians 2:9).
They know Philip, and they hear that he speaks about Christ in Samaria, resulting in Christians there, a new group, a church. The mother church sends these two apostles to the new daughter church in Samaria.
The apostles come to affirm the news that they heard coming from Samaria.1 Their visit stands in the light of amazement over what Christ is doing in the neighbouring region of Samaria. They are convinced that the Spirit is at work here, and they are thankful for that. The purpose of their visit is to encourage the new believers, strengthen them, and legitimize their congregation as a new church! And so, to strengthen the bond with Jerusalem and celebrate this connection in a unity in following Christ. This is how Jerusalem comes to Samaria: a big step! The apostles cross a closed border to a hostile neighbouring region: a century-old wall falls down! The Spirit opens borders and hearts.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,