November 26, 2012
After Stephen was falsely accused and stoned to death the entire church began to be persecuted. All the believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. On the surface that appears to be a bad thing, but it was actually used for good. Because they were scattered, they told the people where they were the Good News about Christ. Because! God can take what was meant for harm and use it for His (and our) good. The message of hope and forgiveness can and should be told wherever we are and in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.
Philip went to Samaria to preach about the Christ. When the people saw the miracles and heard him speak "they all listened carefully." God prepares hearts for His word. Philip cast out demons, and healed the weak and crippled. The people were amazed. They were used to seeing "magic" performed by a man named Simon, but this was different. Simon the Sorcerer performed magic tricks and was well-known throughout the area. He loved the attention and the power. "He bragged and called himself a great man." Everyone, the least and the most important, paid attention to Simon, thinking he must have "the Great Power" of God, and the people began to follow him. His power did not come from God and he was not pointing people to God. The glory was all for himself.
And then, along comes Philip. He was performing miracles not magic. In addition to performing miracles, he preached about the Good News; the kingdom of God; and the power of Jesus Christ. He was not seeking attention for himself, he was pointing people to Christ. Simon saw and watched Philip as well. He believed, was baptized, and stayed close to Philip. He who had performed "tricks" was amazed at the miracles and the powerful things Philip did.
When Peter and John heard the people of Samaria were accepting the word of God they traveled there and prayed that the believers would receive the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw what happened when the people received the Holy Spirit from Peter and John's prayers and laying on of hands, he wanted to be able to perform in the same way. So he offered Peter money saying, "Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands will receive the Holy Spirit." Give ME! He was used to being a performer and wowing people with his tricks and getting glory for himself. He was wanting the same thing here. He wanted to buy what only God can give. Peter said to him:
Divine appointments of God.
Philip:
Next Entry: Acts 9:1–43
After Stephen was falsely accused and stoned to death the entire church began to be persecuted. All the believers were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. On the surface that appears to be a bad thing, but it was actually used for good. Because they were scattered, they told the people where they were the Good News about Christ. Because! God can take what was meant for harm and use it for His (and our) good. The message of hope and forgiveness can and should be told wherever we are and in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in.
Philip went to Samaria to preach about the Christ. When the people saw the miracles and heard him speak "they all listened carefully." God prepares hearts for His word. Philip cast out demons, and healed the weak and crippled. The people were amazed. They were used to seeing "magic" performed by a man named Simon, but this was different. Simon the Sorcerer performed magic tricks and was well-known throughout the area. He loved the attention and the power. "He bragged and called himself a great man." Everyone, the least and the most important, paid attention to Simon, thinking he must have "the Great Power" of God, and the people began to follow him. His power did not come from God and he was not pointing people to God. The glory was all for himself.
And then, along comes Philip. He was performing miracles not magic. In addition to performing miracles, he preached about the Good News; the kingdom of God; and the power of Jesus Christ. He was not seeking attention for himself, he was pointing people to Christ. Simon saw and watched Philip as well. He believed, was baptized, and stayed close to Philip. He who had performed "tricks" was amazed at the miracles and the powerful things Philip did.
When Peter and John heard the people of Samaria were accepting the word of God they traveled there and prayed that the believers would receive the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw what happened when the people received the Holy Spirit from Peter and John's prayers and laying on of hands, he wanted to be able to perform in the same way. So he offered Peter money saying, "Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands will receive the Holy Spirit." Give ME! He was used to being a performer and wowing people with his tricks and getting glory for himself. He was wanting the same thing here. He wanted to buy what only God can give. Peter said to him:
"You and your money should both be destroyed, because you thought you could buy God's gift with money. You cannot share with us in this work since your heart is not right before God. Change your heart! Turn away from this evil thing you have done, and pray to the Lord. Maybe he will forgive you for thinking this. I see that you are full of bitter jealousy and ruled by sin." Acts 8:20–23I'm not sure if Simon ever "got it" or understood the
God
↓↑
Man
relationship. He asked Peter and John to pray to the Lord "so the things you have said will not happen to me." Peter had just told him that he needed to pray to the Lord, and here he is asking them to pray for him.Some things you cannot outsource—and this is one of them. Submission is a personal choice. No one else can do it for you. I hope he "got it," but I don't know. As far as I know he is not mentioned in the Bible again. What we do know is that sorcery is clearly condemned by God (Deuteronomy 18) and that even after he said he believed, he was ruled by his own greed and selfish desires. In James it says faith without action is dead, and that even the demons believe there is a God. There appears to be no proof that a true change was made. Sad, but true in many lives.
Acts 8:26–27 - "An angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Get ready... Go...' So Philip got ready and went." Immediate obedience. You have to love that. Philip's heart was so in tune with God's that he could hear his commands and obey his voice.
Get ready—Go! And he went. Then the next instructions came. "Go to that chariot and stay near it." So Philip ran to the chariot. He didn't meander over when he had the time. He ran! When he got there he heard the man reading from Isaiah the prophet. Philip asks him, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he replied, "How can I understand unless someone explains it to me?" He asks Philip to sit with him. This is what he was reading:
Philip explained the meaning to him and told him the Good New about Jesus. As they traveled down the road they came to some water. The officer said, "Look here is water. What is stopping me from being baptized?" (Acts 8:36) So they stopped, Philip baptized him, then Philip disappeared and the officer never saw him again. Philip continued to preach the Good News."He was like a sheep being led to be killed. He was quiet, as a lamb is quiet while its wool is being cut; he never opened his mouth. He was shamed and treated unfairly. He died without children to continue his family. His life on earth has ended." Isaiah 53:7–8
Divine appointments of God.
Philip:
- Philip was ready and available. His relationship with God was already established.
- When God said get ready and go he immediately went. Total obedience.
- Philip listened for direction. When God said go to the chariot he ran.
- Philip was God's hands and feet. He explained the Good News.
- Philip's obedience put him in the right spot at the right time.
- When God's mission was complete he left and returned to preaching.
- He was seeking God. God never turns away an honest seeker.
- He was an important man, but he humbled himself to ask questions.
- He was the recipient of a blessed event.
- He met the Savior.
- He wanted to follow God's ways and was baptized. Total obedience.
- He continued on his way full of joy.
Next Entry: Acts 9:1–43
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