Week 12, Acts 8:4 25 Hook

Transcription

1 Week 12, Acts 8:4 25 Hook Main point: Through the Holy Spirit, the Church is able to do powerful works in Jesus name. Trivia: Movie theaters have been flooded with an influx of superhero blockbusters. Why have these films become so popular? A recent New York Film Academy article proposes three reasons: 1. The economic crash of 2008 Following this wide-reaching and frightening event, people simply desired an escape when visiting the movie theater. Superhero films often present heroes who always win, despite the threat of their enemies. It s also interesting that comic books became extremely popular in the 1930s during the Great Depression. 2. Special effects have become more realistic Special effects had previously limited the scope of comic book movies. With today s technology, filmmakers are far less hampered by infeasibility of effects. 3. The demographics Although children love today s superhero films, these movies often target an older demographic. Generation X-ers and Millennials who grew up with comic books now have the disposable income to see their favorite characters come to life on the big screen

2 What is your favorite superhero movie and why? If you could have a super power, what power would you choose? 2

3 Week 12, Acts 8:4 25 Book Main point: Through the Holy Spirit, the Church is able to do powerful works in Jesus name. Text Summary: Acts 8:4 25 In these verses, Luke shows us how the Holy Spirit displays His power and gives His power. We see through Philip s witness in Samaria that the Holy Spirit moves mightily through ordinary Christians, not just the apostles. We also see in the story of Simon that the Spirit refuses to bestow His power to those who do not come to Jesus with sincerity. The Holy Spirit is not a source of power that anyone can use for his own purposes. He is a holy person of the Trinity, given as a supernatural gift only to those who are in Christ, to build the Church and preach the Gospel of salvation. Acts 8:4 17 [Read] Sub-Point: The Holy Spirit displays His power through all believers, regardless of job title. Verses 4 5 This section of Acts goes into further detail about the scattering of the Jewish Christians who were being persecuted in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1 3.) Luke tells us that those who were scattered brought the Gospel with them, preaching the word wherever they settled. Verse 5 narrows in on one example of a scattered Christian refugee who preached the Gospel in a specific and important place where he sought shelter: Samaria. The second phase of Jesus plan for the Gospel to spread to the world (Acts 1:8) is afoot. News of Jesus has flooded Jerusalem, and through the dispersion of scattered Christians, it is now overflowing the surrounding area of Samaria. What s most striking is that phase 2 of Jesus plan is spearheaded by a church member, not an apostle or pastor. The person who bridges the gap between isolated Jerusalem to the ends of the earth wasn t a professional Christian. This man was not Philip the apostle, but Philip the deacon, an un-ordained man who was appointed to the ministry of feeding widows back in Acts 6:5. Here we learn that the Gospel can be sent out into the world through ordinary lay people, not just vocational ministers. Q: How do you view your role in your church community? Do you feel you are actively on mission for the Gospel? Q: How would you respond to someone who believes that ministry should be done by vocational ministers? Verses 6 8 We see the Holy Spirit s power in the miraculous conversion of the Samaritan people. The Samaritans are transfixed on the powerful teaching and amazing signs that Philip 3

4 demonstrates (v. 6). The Spirit empowers him to preach the Gospel, confirming his message by healing the sick and demon possessed (v. 7) and bringing great relief to the city (v. 8). Given that Samaritans and Jews had intense hostility toward one another, we note that Philip, the new Jew settling into this Samaritan town, is working against steep odds. He s not formally trained to preach. He s not a big shot in the early church. He is an enemy refugee in a hostile atmosphere. However, the Holy Spirit s power overrides the Samaritans bias and captures their attention. This Christian Jew is helping the Samaritans disadvantaged friends and family, and he is matching those miraculous healings with a powerful message about the Messiah, someone Samaritans were supremely interested in. Here, we see that the Holy Spirit displays His power through an ordinary believer, regardless of his ministry obstacles, who is willing to preach the Gospel in both word and deed. 2 Q: How is God using you to share the Gospel? What obstacles do you face, and how have you seen God meet you in those challenges? Verses 9 12 A local magician named Simon has become interested in all of the displays of the Spirit s power being performed by Philip. Simon attracted people with his magic, something commentators translate as being an expert in the occult (v. 9). 3 Simon is not interested in helping his fellow Samaritans, only in holding their worshipful attention with tricks (v. 10). Early church historians tell us that Simon held great sway over the city due to his power, claiming to be God himself. 4 Simon was accustomed to being venerated due to his standing in society and cultish practices, but now that Philip has come to town, everyone has turned their heads to see an even greater power (v. 12). 5 We note here that the difference between Philip (and the apostles) and Simon could not be more pronounced. Where a true Christian witness turns the crowd s attention to God (Acts 3:12, 16; 14:11 18), Simon wants them to fix their gaze on him (v. 11). Q: How do you guard against following or becoming one who uses ministry for personal gain? 2 Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word, chapter Hughes, Preaching the Word, chapter Polhill, in NAC 216, notes that Justin Martyr, a church father from the mid-second century, was himself a Samaritan and his writings uphold that a certain Simon of Samaria was worshipped by the majority of Samaritans. Martyr asserts that Simon s followers, a group known as the Simonians, were well known. He asserts that Simon ended up journeying to Rome where he was worshipped as a god and was given a statue in his name. Scholars still debate if the Simon of Acts is the same Simon that Martyr writes of, but regardless, both Simons think of themselves as godlike. 5 Hughes, Preaching the Word, chapter 13. 4

5 Q: Why do you think it is easy to draw attention to ourselves rather than point to Christ? Verse 13 To get in on this fascinating power of the Spirit, Simon is crafty. Instead of competing against Philip, Simon makes a false profession of faith in order to join the Christian ranks and get closer access to this power. He even gets baptized. Christian history paints Simon as the starter of the heretical Gnostic movement, making him the arch-villain of the early church, the devil disguising himself through this dark magician as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14 15). 6 Here we note that people will sometimes seek to gain the benefits of Christ s power without a willingness to submit to His authority. Q: How would you describe a genuine conversion? What would you expect to see from one who has made a genuine conversion? Verses Upon hearing what was happening in Samaria (and likely excited that the Gospel may have entered phase 2 of Jesus plan!), Peter and John come to inspect the legitimacy of this Samaritan Gospel-movement and also offer support (v. 14). They soon realize that these believers are genuine and the Gospel is truly spreading! Laying hands on these Samaritan believers, Peter and John (Jerusalem Jews) impart the Holy Spirit, whom these believers had not received yet (v ). 7 This bestowal is extremely important, as it confirms that these Samaritans are not considered second-class believers the way they are in Samaritan culture. 8 The Jewish-bred apostles themselves are not afraid to touch them or bless them. The Holy Spirit is a gift to anyone who believes, and these new converts are heartily welcomed into the family of God, regardless of their Samaritan upbringing. The display of the Holy Spirit in Jews and Samaritans confirms God s promise to offer salvation to all people, not just Israel (Isaiah 49:5 6). Q: How have you seen the Holy Spirit move across cultural or social lines? Q: What positive steps might your Bible Fellowship take to help bridge cultural divides amongst believers? Acts 8:18 24 [Read] 6 Hughes, Preaching the Word, chapter Polhill argues that this is not the usual pattern of Acts, and that this operates as a Samaritan Pentecost, God making it clear that He publicly approves of His Spirit being given to those outside of Jerusalem. At each major stage of the Gospel s spreading, the Holy Spirit is given to formally and publicly authenticate that God is welcoming non-israelites into his family. NAC, Hughes, Preaching the Word, chapter 13. 5

6 Sub-Point: The Holy Spirit gives His power exclusively to believers as a gift to do God s work. Verses Luke moves into how the Holy Spirit gives His power. Simon had observed the apostles giving the Holy Spirit through laying hands on people (v. 18), and instead of asking for the Holy Spirit for himself, Simon wants the same authority to transfer the Spirit s power to others, likely at a high price! 9 (v. 19). His mind is on profitability, adding the Spirit to his repertoire of tricks to gain the need, applause, money and worship of others. Q: How have you seen the Holy Spirit actively at work in the lives of others? Q: What do you rely on the Holy Spirit to do in your life? Verse 20 Upon Simon s selfish request and offer of money, Peter detects his ulterior motive. Peter harshly rebukes Simon s perspective on the Holy Spirit, saying may your money perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! (v. 20). This was not just a random phrase, but carries more of a prophetic tone to it. As we see in the cases of Judas (1:18), Ananias and Sapphira, and others, the deceptive people who trusted in wealth did perish with their money. The theme of greed is always shown as destructive throughout all of Acts. Peter mentions that Simon has no part of share with them, an Old Testament reference to belonging with God s people and sharing in their inheritance. Peter declares that Simon is not just unwelcome among of the apostles, but he is excommunicated from God s people. 10 Verses Peter follows his rebuke with grace, however, explaining to the ignorant magician that his issue was not about money, but rather his heart (v. 21). He gives Simon a chance to repent and pray for God s forgiveness (v. 22). Then, in verse 23, Peter explains precisely why Simon s heart is not right before God, likely assuming that the magician doesn t understand. Gall of bitterness suggests idolatry, and bond of iniquity is an illustration for saying that Simon is chained to his own sin. Simon is trying to make himself a god through his use of money, and there s no way out of that sin on his own. Without Christ, the magician is bound to his habitual need to be worshipped. Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will be given to any who asks for him, but James gives us a caveat we won t get what we ask without proper motives (Luke 11:13; James 4:3). Thus, the Holy Spirit will not give Simon what he asked because his request came from wrong intent. Q: When has God convicted you of asking for things with selfish motives? 9 Hughes, Preaching the Word, chapter Polhill, NAC,

7 Q: Are there any underlying motives or habitual needs that you are allowing to influence your spiritual and prayer life? Q: How might the Holy Spirit spark more compassion and evangelism in us, not less, to those outside the Christian faith? Verse Given his response here, it seems Simon did not repent (v. 24). He still treats the men as people with magical abilities and access to a God he can t access. Furthermore, his reason for asking the apostles to pray for him is not one of godly sorrow but one of fearing his consequences. His name lives on in infamy as the word simony, the practice of selling of church privileges. The disciples are not discouraged, however. Verse 25 says they remained in the area to finish their preaching before continuing on their way to preach in the other villages. 7

8 Week 12, Acts 8:4 25 Took Main point: Through the Holy Spirit, the Church is able to do powerful works in Jesus name. Group Activity: Who is the first character that comes to mind when you think of the word superhero? Many would reply Superman. And while he is the first and one of the most popular comic book vigilantes, another character has eclipsed Superman s popularity during different periods of time: Spiderman. Why? Superman always seems to know what to do, always has the power to win; he s simply above all others. Spiderman, however, has trouble paying his rent. He s a nerd; he has trouble balancing his work and personal life; he tries his hardest not to disappoint family but often does. Spiderman is an everyman who has been given an extraordinary power for the good of the people. 11 Despite his shortcomings and problems, Spiderman sacrifices himself knowing that with great power comes great responsibility. 12 Why would God choose to use normal, everyday people to carry the Holy Spirit? What have you seen the Holy Spirit do through you and in your life? In what ways did this encourage you? Lesson Conclusion: While it s easy to think that the Holy Spirit mightily works through professional Christians like pastors, this passage in Acts teaches us that God often does incredible work through ordinary believers who are faithful to spread the Gospel wherever they go. Philip was a commonplace servant in the early church who came to Samaria and ended up being the Gospel link between Jerusalem and the rest of the world. God is still in the business of using us in the very same way today. Also, this passage gives us a warning. We cannot manipulate God to work on our behalf through selfish motivation. We also cannot expect unbelievers to operate as if they have the Holy Spirit, as He only gives Himself to the truly repentant. May we, like Philip, take the Gospel to the Samaria of our lives and share it boldly, and may the gift of the Holy Spirit cause us to reach outward and not remain inwardly focused. Challenges Encourage the ordinary Just as the apostles came to inspect and support Philip s ministry in Samaria, we must do likewise in the ministries of those around us. Think through those closest to you in your church community. How can you sharpen and support them? Take time this week to encourage the ministries of those around you, and offer your tangible support through a kind word, a note or

9 Invite help from the mature We see that Philip did not spurn the inspection and support of the apostles, but welcomed it as they gave the Holy Spirit to all those he had helped convert in Samaria. Can you think of a person in your life who is not only mature in his walk with God but also in his ministry practices? Whose opinion do you trust? Invite people into your own spiritual life and ministry, and ask for their feedback and encouragement this week. Seek proper motives While we may view Simon as foolish to offer the apostles money for the Spirit, we, too, can try to force God s hand in our own circumstances. Sometimes we, like Simon, have ulterior motives when we ask God for His power in our lives. In your prayers, what is the intent behind your requests? Repent of any forms of paying God so that he ll pay you back. Ask for proper motives in your relationship with Him. 9