Year 2, Week 40, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 40, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Acts 8.

Today’s reading continues with the Book of Acts. The Book of Acts is a selective history of the early church, which demonstrates how Jesus, by the Spirit, empowers His followers to continue His work. The chapters from today’s reading introduce the reality of struggle in the life of the early church. Acts 8 gives us a brief glimpse of Paul: “And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem…Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison” (Acts 8:1-3). Paul, who is also known as Saul, was a strident opponent of the church. But most of Acts 8 focuses on Philip: "Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ” (Acts 8:5). Back in Acts 6, Philip, along with Stephen and five other men, was selected to care for the Hellenistic widows. But like Stephen, Philip actively advanced the message about Christ. Acts 8 not only records Philip’s ministry in the region of Samaria, but also his encounter with an Ethiopian on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza: “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus” (Acts 8:35).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the advancement of the Gospel among the Samarians: “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip…So there was much joy in that city” (Acts 8:4-8). Persecution pushed the early church out of Jerusalem into the regions of Judea and Samaria. As the church spread, they preached the Word. The Samaritans were more or less half-Jews living in and around the former capital of the northern kingdom. There was little love lost between the Jews and the Samaritans. But now as the Gospel is preached, many Samaritans gladly embrace Christ.

Two interesting matters emerge as the Gospel comes to Samaria. The first matter, which is actually not a situation exclusive to Samaritans, but nevertheless, occurs in the context of Gospel being proclaimed in Samaria is what to make of Simon the Sorcerer: “But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest…Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed” (Acts 8:9-10,13). Simon was given over to things like magic, sorcery, and divination—things condemned in Scripture (see Leviticus 19:26,31; Deuteronomy 18:10; Malachi 3:5; and Revelation 21:8, 22:15). Simon most likely dabbled in these realms associated with evil powers in order to achieve some desired benefit for himself or others or to wreak havoc in another’s life. Simon was an evil man. But Simon was amazed at what Philip could do and therefore believed and was baptized. But the true posture of Simon’s heart is revealed when he sees the prospects of having the Holy Spirit: “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:18-19). Peter is given the discernment to confront the true condition of Simon’s heart: “You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:21-23). Wanting the Holy Spirit for personal gain, Simon does not display the marks of a true believer, and Peter treats him as such.

The second matter of interest involving the Gospel coming to the Samaritans, is distinct, but also related to the Holy Spirit: “Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:14-16). At Pentecost, the offer was to repent and be baptized in order to receive the Spirit: "And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). But here in Acts 8, the Samaritans believed and were baptized yet did not receive the Spirit. The normal pattern is for believers to experience the Holy Spirit in conjunction with believing: “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him” (Romans 8:9). However, this was a unique moment in salvation history. The reception of the Holy Spirit at the prayer of the apostles authoritatively demonstrated that the Samaritans were fully included in the people of God by faith, just as the Jews were. The presence of Peter and John is for the authentication of the event. The presence of the apostles at the giving of the Spirit stands as proof positive that the new covenant is open to all who believe in Jesus. Everyone who believes receives the Spirit, and no amount of background or ancestry guarantees or excludes anyone from experiencing the indwelling Holy Spirit.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe