That is everyone who believed and obeyed.
Vs. 13 Simon the sorcerer was amazed. Phillip must have been doing greater things than Simon. (Greater than the modern day healers). I Cor. 1:21-24
We do not need signs, wonders and worldly wisdom to come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ and obey Him. They were not saved by the baptism of the Holy Spirit but by obeying the word of God.
Vs. 14 There was no pope in Jerusalem to send the them out. They went by agreement of the apostles.
Vs. 15-16 Samaria had not received the miraculous gift of the Spirit when they were baptized. They had received baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, Acts 2:38. The apostles prayed once and began laying on hands for them to receive the gift of the Spirit.
Vs. 17 There was no baptism of the Spirit as in Acts 2:2 and Acts 10:44. They were receiving gifts to establish the Church. I Cor. 12:4-7
Vs. 18 It was only the apostles who were able to transfer the gifts through the laying on of hands. Simon the sorcerer recognized this and offered them money to obtain this gift for himself. He probably would have misused the gift.
Illustration: Carroll and Valmar; Valmar went to be healed of cerebral palsy but was not. He went to a healing session after being invited by the preacher of the Pentecostal church. He remained in his wheel chair after going down for healing. He couldn't deliver what he promised.
Illustration: A Pentecostal preacher in nursing home with invalids, prayed only for their depression and diarrhea. He seemed to know he couldn't heal their diseases. Why didn't he pray and heal their afflictions.
Phillip could not pass these gifts on because he was not an apostle. If he could have I'm sure he would have and not bothered the apostles to make the trip from Jerusalem.
Acts 2:14 Peter takes his stand with the 11. That means there were only 12 that were endowed with this gift on the day of Pentecost not the 120.
Acts 2:43 the apostles only not the 120 disciples were doing great signs.
Vs. 19 Mat 16:4 says "it is a wicked and adulterous generation that seeks for a sign." "Walk by faith not by sight." II Cor. 5:7
Vs. 20 We don't need the miraculous gifts to do work for God. The word of God is sufficient. Simon the sorcerer made the mistake of greed.
Vs. 21 Just as Simon had no part in this gift, neither do we in this time. When the apostles died the gift to pass on the miraculous gifts died with them.
Vs. 22 If we are looking for the miraculous gifts, signs and wonders to sure up our faith, we need to repent. We have all we need to prove God in the word He has given us.
Vs. 23-24 It is my firm belief that we like Simon will need to pray for repentance of our lack of faith, our greediness and selfishness if we look to gain the miraculous gifts that are not meant for us in this age. Like Simon bitterness will come between God and us. I equate each charismatic, Pentecostal preacher that promotes the miraculous gifts for our day as a Simon the sorcerer.
Vs. 25 They went preaching; and so we are to go preaching not healing. The healing we need to do is