There are certain friendships that are very un-natural, for example, for a cat and a bird to be friends would be most unusual. Here is the story of a most un-natural friendship for the apostle Peter to be involved in.
There was much persecution in Jerusalem against all those who had believed in Jesus. Many believers were forced to leave the city, but they went everywhere preaching that the Messiah had come - the Saviour, Christ the Lord. (Acts 8:1-5.)
When the good news was preached in Samaria, many Samaritans believed, and were baptized, and there was great joy. (Acts 8:8,12.)
“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.” (verses 14-16. Acts 5:31-32.)
Usually, Jews and Samaritans were not friendly to each other. (John 4:9.) So, why were these two Jews, Peter and John, wanting God to give these Samaritans the same Holy Spirit that He had given to His chosen people the Jews, at Pentecost?
Long before this, Jesus had said He would give Peter “the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 16:19. Acts 15:7.) Now, here is Peter ready as it were to open wide the door to admit anyone who truly believed in Jesus as their only Saviour - even Samaritans!
But was this really God’s will? Peter had sometimes made mistakes in things he had said and done! (Matthew 16: 21-23. Galatians 2:14-16.)
Peter and John showed their willingness to accept those Samaritan believers as their brothers and sisters by placing their hands on them. Just then, God showed that it was also His will for these to be included in His family – “they received the Holy Spirit” from God. (verse 17.)
Jesus’ Church was growing, and the door was open for more than the Jews! Peter’s important role as keyholder would be completed when he would demonstrate to various other groups of “non-Jews” that the door was open to ALL WHO BELIEVED - whatever their background. (Acts 2:14-39. Acts 10:34-48.)
Today, the door is still open to all who believe and trust in Jesus.
(Romans 10:12. 1stCorinthians 12:12-13.) Remember, the DOOR is JESUS. (John 10:7,9. 1:12-13.) So, no matter what your religious background has been, you can come to Jesus in faith, and trust Him alone as your Priest and Saviour. You will receive the Holy Spirit from God, (2ndCorinthians 1:20-22. Romans 8:9.), and become one of His family forever! (John 1:12-13. Galatians 4:4-7.)
Peter’s important role was to declare the door open for Jews and Gentiles to be welcomed and admitted into God’s family, as long as their faith was in Jesus, the Son of God, as their Saviour. (John 4:39-42.)
Read Acts chapter 8, verses 14-17.
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