Acts
King James Version (KJV)
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“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:”
King James Version (KJV)
8:14 And the apostles hearing that Samaria - The inhabitants of that country, had received the word of God - By faith, sent Peter and John - He that sends must be either superior, or at least equal, to him that is sent. It follows that the college of the apostles was equal if not superior to Peter.
Ac 8:14 The apostles . . . received the word of God. They had remained at Jerusalem. The word reached them of Philip's faithful work. Christ had directed that the gospel be carried to "Jerusalem, and unto Judea, and unto Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth" (Ac 1:8). In this order it had been carried to Samaria and been received. The preacher sent there was not an apostle. He had miraculous powers, but could not confer them. It seemed needful, now that the gospel was accepted by a new people, not Jewish, that spiritual gifts, such as had been given to the apostles on the day of Pentecost and imparted through them to others, should be bestowed upon this alien nation. Observe, (1) when the Jews first had the gospel on the day of Pentecost these gifts were imparted by the descent of the Holy Spirit (Ac 2:2-4); (2) when the Samaritans were converted these were imparted by the presence of the apostles (Ac 8:17); (3) when the first Gentiles were converted, an apostle being present, they were imparted (Ac 10:44-47). There is no record of their impartation, save in or by apostolic presence. See Ro 1:11. Sent to them Peter and John. This is positive proof that Peter was not a pope. The body which sends is superior to the one sent. He and John go at the bidding of which the whole apostolic body. This is the last mention of John in Acts.