Acts 8:1-24 Saul, for his part, was approving of the murder of Stephen. Reverent men carried Stephen to the burial, and they made a great lamentation over him. A wave of bitter persecution has struck, and Saul begins to “deal outrageously” with the congregation—an expression that in the original language describes brutal cruelty. The disciples flee, and it may seem to some that Saul’s goal of snuffing out Christianity will be realized. However, something unexpected results from the dispersion of Christians. Those who are scattered begin “declaring the good news of the word” in the lands to which they have fled. Not only has persecution failed to silence the good news but it has actually helped to spread the message! By scattering the disciples, the persecutors have unwittingly enabled the Kingdom-preaching work to expand into far-flung territories. One of “those who had been scattered” was Philip. He went to Samaria, a city that was largely untouched by the preaching work, for Jesus had at one time instructed the apostles: “Do not enter into a Samaritan city; but, instead, go continually to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 10:5, 6) However, Jesus knew that, in time, Samaria would receive a thorough witness, for prior to his ascension to heaven, he said: “You will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.”—Acts 1:8. Philip found that Samaria was “white for harvesting.” (John 4:35) The Jews had no dealings with Samaritans, many even showing disdain for them. (John 4:9) In contrast, the Samaritans found that the message of the good news ignored class distinctions, and thus it differed greatly from the narrow-minded thinking of the Pharisees. By zealously and impartially witnessing to the Samaritans, Philip showed that he was not tainted by the prejudice of those who looked down on them. Crowds of Samaritans listened to Philip “with one accord.” Philip performed many signs in Samaria. For example, he healed those with disabilities and even cast out wicked spirits. One man was particularly impressed with Philip’s miraculous gifts. He was Simon, a magician who was so highly regarded that people said of him: “This man is the Power of God.” Simon was now an eyewitness to the real power of God, as evidenced in the miracles performed by Philip, and Simon became a believer. Later, though, Simon’s motives were tested. When the apostles became aware that many had accepted the word of God in Samaria, Peter and John were sent there from Jerusalem so that these believers may receive holy spirit “through the laying on of the hands of the apostles.” When Simon saw this, he was intrigued. “Give me also this authority,” he told the apostles, “that anyone upon whom I lay my hands may receive holy spirit.” Simon even offered them money, hoping to buy this sacred privilege! Peter’s reply to Simon was firm. “May your silver perish with you,” said the apostle, “because you thought through money to get possession of the free gift of God. You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not straight in the sight of God.” Peter then urged Simon to repent and to pray for forgiveness. “Supplicate Jehovah,” said Peter, “that, if possible, the device of your heart [“this scheme of yours,” New Jerusalem Bible] may be forgiven you.” Evidently, Simon was not a wicked man; he wanted to do what was right, but he was momentarily misguided. So he pleaded with the apostles: “You men, make supplication for me to Jehovah that none of the things you have said may come upon me.”—Acts 8:20-24. The rebuke that Peter gave Simon stands as a warning to Christians today. In fact, the English word “simony” was coined as a result of this incident. “Simony” refers to the buying or selling of positions, specifically in a religious context.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Jun 2013 07:54:23 +0000
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