Final answer:
The Samaritans believed in Jesus according to John 4:39 due to a Samaritan woman's testimony about her encounter with Him, after which they heard Jesus themselves and recognized Him as the Savior. Despite debates and different interpretations of Jesus's teachings in early Christianity, it was the apostles who were instrumental in spreading his message.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to John 4:39, it was the Samaritans who believed in Jesus after a woman from Samaria spoke to them about her encounter with Him. She testified that Jesus knew all the things she had done, which led the people to listen to Jesus themselves. They concluded that He indeed was the Savior of the world. This event is part of the larger narrative of Jesus' ministry where he preached a message of salvation and forgiveness, and it is during his earthly ministry that he gained followers who believed in his teachings and witnessed his works. After his crucifixion and reported resurrection, his followers, including the apostles, continued to spread his message far and wide which led to the formation of early Christianity.
Early Christianity was characterized by a variety of interpretations of Jesus's teachings, which were debated and argued about, leading to different beliefs about who Jesus was and the nature of his message. Nonetheless, it was the apostles and other disciples who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity by teaching Jesus's lessons to others.