Let’s just go back briefly to the discussion that Jesus had with the Samaritan woman. John 4:1–54 provides important information for Acts 8. In this discussion, they also speak about the divided church
of that time. Where should we worship God—in Jerusalem or on Mount Gerizim? Jesus says there will come a time that Samaritans will no longer worship on Mount Gerizim, and they will not worship God in Jerusalem either. “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23–24). With this Jesus points to the work of the Spirit and the truth, that is the Word, the promise that will be fulfilled.
God promises to give salvation in his Son Jesus, who comes out of Israel (John 4:22), also for Samaria. Jesus also died for the Samaritans! In due time it will no longer be about Samaria or Jerusalem, but about a new community of true worshippers. No longer tied to holy high places, but to one holy person, the name of Jesus Christ! There will be a worldwide family of worshippers of the Father, who profess the Messiah as the Son of God, thanks to the faith that the Spirit of truth has endowed to them.
After the discussion with the Samaritan woman, due to her witnessing, many Samaritans come to faith. They believed that Jesus is the Saviour of the world. The Father is looking for such worshippers—and you see that happening in Samaria now! Instead of the mystery of Samaria, we should speak of the miracle of Samaria! The Spirit connects people who had lived separate lives for centuries. The Spirit fulfills people and connects them together in a new church. He fulfills them with gifts and power. Samaritans and Jews who had hated each other, now love one another through their common bond with Christ.
They stand on the same foundation, with the apostles as eyewitnesses and spokespersons of Christ. Around the Son grows a worldwide family of the Father. In Samaria they celebrate the feast of the expansion of the family!
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,