John 12:24 “Most assuredly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much grain.” (Jesus’ words to his disciples on Palm Sunday.)
Acts 8:1-3 Saul Persecutes the Church
“And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death.
On that day (the day of Stephen’s death) a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
Acts 8:4-8 Philip in Samaria
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them. The crowds gave their undivided attention to Philip’s message and to the signs they saw him perform. With loud shrieks, unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, and many of the paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:9-25 Simon the Sorcerer (Deuteronomy 18:9–14)
Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.
But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip closely and was astounded by the great signs and miracles he observed.
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”
Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
And after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many of the Samaritan villages.”
“But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.” The Holy Spirit is always up to something new. Emboldened by having slaughtered Stephen, the Jewish religious leaders institute a fierce persecution. Saul, that pupil of Gamaliel, is heading the attacks, doing everything he can to wipe out these heretics. In the face of such opposition, the Jesus followers who have previously clustered in Jerusalem have no choice but to leave for other parts of Judea and-gasp!- Samaria!
For centuries there has been enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans. The people of Samaria are a mixed race descended from groups of people imported by the Assyrians to work the land. When the Samaritans first settled in what had been the Northern Kingdom, they were practicing their original idolatrous religions and faced fierce attacks by lions. Only when Jewish priests were brought to teach them about Yaweh did the lion attacks cease. But the Samaritans combined worship of Yaweh with their idolatry, creating a syncretistic religion. The Samaritans also opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple under Nehemiah. It’s likely that early Jewish believers have negatively influenced believers from other ethnic groups against the Samaritans. But right now, there’s relative safety in Samaria, so believers are flocking to Samaria, sharing their faith as they do so. It’s ironic that even though Jesus has ordered his disciples to preach the Gospel in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, it has taken persecution to force believers out to Samaria.
Under Philip’s preaching, revival has broken out in Samaria, and signs and wonders abound. By now, Peter and John have joined Philip and have been laying hands on the new believers who have undergone water baptism so they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Even a local sorcerer has gotten saved; however, there’s a problem. This guy thinks the Holy Spirit is for sale. OOOH! Bad idea! Peter swiftly rebukes this man.
“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.”
Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
Simon the sorcerer has a problem. His heart has been stirred, but he has not allowed himself to be completely changed. Years of serving demons have left a stain on Simon’s soul that cannot be erased by a few prayers and water baptism. When Simon thinks he might have the chance to become more powerful spiritually, his immediate response is to offer money; after all, he’s been paid handsomely for all the miracles he’s performed previously.
We might read this account of Peter’s confrontation with Simon and assume that we would NEVER behave like Simon, but is that true? Possession of spiritual power is an enormous temptation to most of us. One of our Ghanaian friends recently shared a local proverb that says that if you want to know a man’s character, give him power and money, and see how he behaves. We can begin an activity with the highest of motives, only to descend into becoming petty tyrants who viciously attack anyone we think is opposing us. God blesses many of us with modest incomes because we might be tempted to misuse resources or to manipulate people were we to have more money. May God help us, so that we remain true to Him, no matter what!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, please help us to remain true to You and to share our faith wherever You send us. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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