“Acts 8:1-24”

Friday, January 01, 2016

“Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was much rejoicing in that city. Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, ‘This man is what is called the Great Power of God.’ And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts. But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed. Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.’ But Simon answered and said, ‘Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.’”

---End of Scripture verses---

What a great passage to start the new year off with. Yes a general persecution of the church arose after the stoning of Stephen, and Saul was determined to destroy God’s people and thwart Christ’s mission on earth. But what was the result of those efforts? The Christians “who had been scattered went about preaching the word” (verse 4). What a tremendous testimony to the resolve of God’s people and the impact of His word when implanted deeply within good and honest hearts.

When Satan rattled the tree, he only succeeded in scattering the seeds far and wide. God took a bane and turned it into a blessing like He has shone himself repeatedly doing throughout the course of human history. God’s word grew wings and took flight into farther regions of the Earth. Nothing can obstruct the plans of God and the power of the Gospel! I pray the Lord that we all grow a greater appreciation in 2016 for the power that we have at our disposal in the Bible, and that we go about teaching people the only message that promises them hope for eternity.

In verses 4-24 we see the effects that the spreading of the Gospel had on the people in the city of Samaria. “But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike” (verse 12). The people in that old city had been captivated by the trickery of a sorcerer named Simon (verses 9-11), but with the arrival of evangelist Philip they experienced true power for the very first time (verses 5-8). They heard the truth that he taught and saw the miracles he performed and many of them turned from their superstitious ways and turned to God.

We don’t have the power to perform miracles today, and you know what? We don’t need it! God has packed all the power necessary to save people directly into His word (Romans 1:15-16). The truth is more than sufficient to teach people what they need to believe and do in order to please God and go to heaven for eternity!

For tomorrow please read Acts 8:25-40.

Happy New Year!

- Louie Taylor

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