Last Thursday night the scripture for the sermon was from the Book of Acts 8:4-25. One of the interesting points found in these verses is the early conversion of folks in Samaria. The Samaritans as we know were looked down upon by the Jews and the Samaritans didn't have a high opinion of the Jewish people either... which is to be expected, typically one doesn't hold high regard for those who despise you... unless you're called to follow Jesus that is. This is, of course, one of the more radical concepts that Jesus professed and here we see the Samaritans as coming into this new faith even before the Gentiles. This is really astonishing especially when we realize that at the time Christianity was still a Jewish Sect. Samaritans converting to a Jewish Sect is really and truly a display of grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Through Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, it seems that even the most divided, the most broken can and will be reconciled.
Praise be to God.
Be a blessing to someone today!
In His Care,
Roy
Acts 8:4-25 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Philip Preaches in Samaria
4 Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. 5 Philip went down to the city[a] of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah[b] to them. 6 The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, 7 for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
9 Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10 All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come[c] upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John[d] laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! 21 You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.” 24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you[e] have said may happen to me.”
25 Now after Peter and John[f] had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.
Footnotes:
a) Acts 8:5 Other ancient authorities read a city
b) Acts 8:5 Or the Christ
c) Acts 8:16 Gk fallen
d) Acts 8:17 Gk they
e) Acts 8:24 The Greek word for you and the verb pray are plural
f) Acts 8:25 Gk after they
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