Now we believe not because of thy saying: we have heard Him ourselves
The Samaritan’s confession of faith
I.
THE PERSONS FROM WHOM IT CAME. Samaritans out of the covenant, with imperfect notions of God and the Spirit of His worship, yet they were so captivated by Christ’s teachings that they felt He could be no other than the world’s Saviour.
II. THE JUST NOTIONS THEY EXPRESSED OF THE OFFICE OF CHRIST.
1. That He was to effect the salvation of the world, not of their race merely.
2. That He was to save by teaching the true religion. “I know,” said the woman, “He will tell all things”--i.e., concerning the worship of God, the topic of discussion.
3. Thus they must have placed the salvation itself in such a deliverance as these means were fitted to accomplish, viz., in deliverance from ignorance, hypocrisy, and superstition.
4. They were aware that the time was actually come for this Deliverer’s appearance: Jesus said, “The hour cometh and now is.” The woman responded, “I know that the Messiah (lit.)
is now coming.” Learn then
(1) How little benefit the external means of grace may prove to those whose minds, like those of the Jews, are occupied with adverse prejudices, so as to be negligent of their own improvement.
(2) What a proficiency may be made, by God’s blessing, on the diligent use of scanty talents. The Samaritans had no light but what came obliquely from the Jews, but they so far improved under their imperfect discipline as to attain views of the promised redemption which the Jews missed in spite of Moses and the Prophets.
III. THE WARMTH AND ENERGY OF THEIR CONVICTION. “We know.” Conclusion
1. Let every one take encouragement and learn the necessary assiduity in self-improvement.
2. Let no sinner despair of salvation. (Bp. Horsley.)
The progress of faith
I. ITS AWAKENING. Through indirect testimony concerning Christ. In this ease by speaking of the woman; in other cases through the witness born of and to Christ
1. By parents to children.
2. Ministers to congregations.
3. Teachers to scholars.
4. Believers generally to the world.
5. The scriptures to readers.
II. ITS CONFIRMATION. By the direct testimony of Christ Himself. In this case through Christ’s conversation with the Samaritans; in others, by the word of Christ carried home to the individual heart by the Spirit of Christ.
III. ITS ILLUMINATION. In the attainment of a true knowledge of Christ’s person and work. As here, learning led to believing, and believing to knowing; so will all in whom the ear and eye of faith are opened, the taking up of Christ’s word, and through that of Christ Himself, into the heart leads to that higher knowledge of Christ in which consists eternal life Joh_17:2). Lessons:
1. The value of Christian instruction.
2. The indispensableness of Christ’s own teaching.
3. The insight of faith. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.)
Christ the Saviour of the world
I. THE STATE OF THE WORLD REQUIRED A SAVIOUR.
II. CHRIST BECAME THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.
1. He was Divinely appointed (Joh_6:27; Isa_61:1-3).
2. He voluntarily assumed the office (1Ti_1:15).
III. THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST AS A SAVIOUR.
1. A willing Saviour.
2. A free Saviour.
3. An all-sufficient Saviour. He can save
(1) From the guilt and condemnation of sin (Rom_3:24).
(2) From the dominion of sin and its polluting power (Tit_2:12; Tit_3:5).
(3) From the tormenting power, and the destructive consequences of sin (Heb_9:14; 1Pe_3:18).
(4) From the wrath of God, and the vengeance of everlasting fire 1Th_1:10; Rom_5:9).
IV. THE EVIDENCE THAT CHRIST WAS THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD. “This is indeed the Christ,” etc. Those who are saved by Christ can give the same testimony, for
1. They have the witness in themselves. They have proved the “gospel to be the power of God to their salvation.”
2. Believers are well assured that Christ was the Saviour of the world, by regarding the internal evidence of the Scriptures.
3. Christianity has survived all the attempts of its enemies to destroy it.
4. It is proved that Christ was the Saviour by a reference to the pages of history.
Application:
1. Let Christians examine and be satisfied with the truth of the gospel.
2. Be thankful for such a Saviour.
3. The rejector of Christ has cause for alarm. (Helps for the Pulpit.)
