While the story of Acts 8:1-25 is primarily about Philip and Simon, we can see John’s changed heart if we look closely. John and his brother James were fishermen before Jesus called them as disciples. Jesus gave these brothers a nickname. Mark 3: 17 James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”)[1]
Scripture doesn’t give any specific reason for this, but Luke provides insight into the brothers’ impetuous personalities. Jesus and His disciples were heading toward Jerusalem and traveling through Samaria. Jewish-Samaritan relationships were tense because of long-standing prejudice between the groups. When one village refused to let them in, the brothers responded vindictively. Luke 9: 54 When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.[2]
Some manuscripts add an expanded conclusion to verse 55 and an additional sentence in verse 56: And he said, “You don’t realize what your hearts are like. 56 For the Son of Man has not come to destroy people’s lives, but to save them.”[3]
Changed by Jesus’ Love
As John became a disciple, the love of Jesus changed his heart. John recorded the story and teachings of Jesus in his Gospel. There, John always referred to himself as the beloved disciple. Not only did John pen a Gospel, but later in life wrote three letters, which are 1,2, and 3 John. You can observe his son of thunder spirit there as he denounces false teachers. But his zeal is tempered by love. In fact, in 1 John, the word “love” and its relatives occur over 40 times.[4]
Being with Jesus had changed John from a son of thunder to a disciple of love.
Calling Down Two Different Kinds of Fire
By the time of our story, John came to Samaria to call down a different type of fire on a Samaritan village. This fire did not destroy but empowered the town to follow the way of Jesus. Acts 8: 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. [5]
John realized that the Samaritans were not enemies but fellow believers. John shared the Gospel not only with Philip’s Samaritan village but also with others. Acts 8: 25 After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News. [6]
Just as being with Jesus changed John’s heart, being with Jesus can change our hearts. It is then that we realize our enemies need Jesus, too. With the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are willing to share the Good News of Jesus with anyone who will listen.
To learn more about John’s changed heart, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-samaritan-pentecost
[1-3,5,6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[4] https://www.gotquestions.org/sons-of-thunder.html. Accessed June 10, 2024.