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The Spirit is not for sale (October 4, 2015)

 

UNIFORM LESSON FOR OCTOBER 4, 2015
Scripture passage and lesson focus: Acts 8:9-24

Acts 8 opens an exciting new chapter in Luke’s account of the growth of the early church, but it begins with the burial of the martyr Stephen and severe persecution. “That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.” Luke is eager to demonstrate that in God’s providence, opposition to the gospel is transformed into an opportunity to spread God’s saving word beyond Jerusalem. The words of Acts 1:8 are beginning to be fulfilled: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The evangelist Philip preached in Samaria and healed people possessed by demons or paralyzed or lame. His miracles, including exorcisms complete with shrieking demons, attracted many residents. One of them was a certain Simon, a popular local magician.

Acts 8:9-13 – The Gospel exceeds Simon’s power
The Samaritans were very impressed with Simon’s magical power. In their Hellenistic world, a wide variety of impressive individuals claimed to know how to manipulate the powers believed to be in control of every aspect of life. More than clever tricksters, ancient magicians were thought to possess secret religious or quasi-scientific knowledge that enabled them to determine the future of their clients. People paid them for their services.

Luke tells us that Simon was more than a typical Hellenistic magician. Simon claimed to be “someone great.” His followers hung on his every word and concluded that Simon was “the power of God that is called Great.” Like a prominent figure in the literature of Hellenistic magic called Hermes Trismegistus (thrice great Hermes), Simon had long been perceived by his Samaritan followers as a god imbued with divine power.

The Gospel of the Messiah Jesus that Philip preached won over many of Simon’s devotees. Even Simon himself believed, Luke reports. He was baptized and became a regular follower of Philip. The signs and wonders Philip performed amazed Simon, who must have seen Philip as stiff competition that would shrink his influence and his income.

Acts 8:14-17 ­– The Holy Spirit comes to Samaria
The apostles in Jerusalem heard about the success of Philip’s preaching in Samaria. Ignoring the long tradition of tension between Judea and Samaria, the apostles sent Peter and John as emissaries of support and encouragement. Their purpose was to share the Pentecost experience of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Exactly what that experience was has been vigorously discussed and debated. It evidently included the ability to describe God’s saving activity, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with power and conviction. It went beyond the initial baptism in the name of Jesus.

Without explanation or fanfare, Luke simply reports that Peter and John placed their hands on the new Samaritan believers and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:18-24 – Simon’s offer rejected
When Simon saw the apostles place their hands on the Samaritan believers, he concluded that obtaining spiritual power was simply a matter of being touched by the Peter and John. And of course, he assumed they would require a fee for their services just as he required a fee for his magical services. So Simon offered the apostles money in the hope that he could acquire what he mistakenly thought was their own magical power. He thought spiritual power could be bought and sold like any other commodity.

Peter’s response was swift and harsh. In effect Peter said, “May you and your money go to hell!” Peter knew that Simon’s motivation came from a selfish heart that did not honor God.

Peter told Simon that he had to repent and ask God to forgive him for his wicked intentions. Luke speaking for Peter uses powerful but unusual words from Scripture, “gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness,” to describe the seriousness of Simon’s sin. Simon’s response was a penitent one: “Pray for me… that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.”

Luke does not tell us if Simon truly repented. Later Christian tradition expanded the picture of Simon to include legendary confrontations with Peter in Rome. His name has been given to the practice of purchasing church offices called simony that was rejected by both Protestant and Roman Catholics after the Reformation.

For discussion: What do you think it means “to receive the Holy Spirit?” Was the Holy Spirit given in a special way in the early church that does not happen today? How is spiritual power given and received today?

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

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