THE SAMARITANS GOT BAPTIZED

 The Samaritans in Jesus' day belonged to a religious sect that was centered in the vicinity of ancient Shechem and Samaria, north of Judea. Before the Samaritans could get baptized, they had to gain a more complete knowledge of God's Worde. The Samaritans accepted as inspired only the first five books of the Bible-Genesis through Deuteronomy-and possibly the book of Joshua. The Samaritans did, however, expect the Messiah to come, based on God's promise recorded at Deuteronomy 18:18, 19. (John 4:25) In order to get baptized, they had to accept Jesus as the promised Messiah. "Many of the Samaritans" did just that. (John 4:39) Others may have had to overcome the deep-seated prejudice that existed between Samaritans and Jews. - LUKE 9:52-54.

What helped the Samaritans to get baptized? When Philip the evangelizer preached "The Christ to them," some Samaritans "accepted the Word of God." (Read Acts 8:5, 6, 14.) Philip had a Jewish background, but they did not object. Perhaps they recalled verses from the Pentateuch indicating that God is not partial. (Deuteronomy 10:17-19) In any event, they paid "attention to what Philip said" about the Christ, and they recognized the clear evidence that God was backing Philip. He was also performing many signs, which included curing the sick and expelling demons. - ACTS 8:7.   

Next time: THE SAMARITANS GOT BAPTIZED - Conclusion

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