Change (Acts 8:1-25)
How do you feel about change? Many of us get in a rut, and we like the rut. It's comfortable there because we know what to expect. We feel nothing wrong can happen if we stay put and nothing changes. We have a rule in our house that when we are afraid of something new, we imagine the worst possible scenario and convince ourselves that it won't happen, but if it does, we can recover from it. The truth is that things will always change. Sometimes things change for the bad, other times for the good.
The Gospel Changes Things
We have been studying the book of Acts and seeing God establish the kingdom of Jesus. Throughout this book, thousands of Jews who have rejected Jesus have become obedient to the gospel. These men and women have turned away from the religious leaders in Jerusalem and submitted their lives to Christ.
Turning Persecution Into Opportunity
But when we get to chapter 7, we see that the resistance of the religious leaders accelerates. They question Stephen and murder him. Can you imagine one of this congregation's most devout and God-loving members being put to death for speaking the truth? I wonder what that would feel like for these new disciples. The murder of Stephen could have caused many to question their faith, asking, "Is it really worth it to follow Christ?" Notice what happens after Stephen is murdered.
Acts 8:1--4 (ESV) --- 1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. 4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
After Stephen dies, there is a scattering. Saul took the lead in ravaging the church. It's like he was given the green light to destroy all who followed Christ. I imagine he had many to choose from since thousands had believed. But notice what was happening as a result. The Christians were scattering.
Is that a good sign? Shouldn't they have stood their ground with the persecution? This was all part of God's plan according to Acts 1:8. The region of Judea and Samaria were next on God's agenda. Notice that the apostles stayed in Jerusalem. That shows their boldness. They were willing to stand for the truth instead of running for their lives.
But what about everyone else? What was going to happen to them when they left? There weren't established churches for them to visit and worship at. Verse 4 says that they were preaching the word. I believe the goal was always for these disciples to return home. It wasn't sustainable for these Christians to support one another in Jerusalem forever. Remember, many had just been visiting for Pentecost. They stuck around for months to learn God's will through the apostles. The apostles had devoted themselves to the ministry of the word in Chapter 6 so that these disciples would be ready to preach the gospel when they went home.
Pause for a second and think about this. When persecution comes, we might be inclined to think of it as a bad thing. No one wants to suffer. But do you see how these disciples have prepared themselves for this? Instead of persecution quenching their fire, it was like gasoline. Now, let's look at ourselves briefly. Are we preparing for the day of persecution to come? Are we preparing ourselves to go out and preach the gospel in new and challenging places? How will they believe if they don't hear, and how will they hear unless we send out preachers? We need to prepare ourselves to spread this message and prepare the next generation.
The focus was not just on finding a place to worship and getting comfortable. Sometimes I think that comfort and prosperity have made it difficult for us to engage in spiritual warfare. Maybe persecution is what we need, but are we ready for it? Let's move toward being ready.
Turning Samaritans Into Disciples
Acts 8:5--12 (ESV) --- 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city. 9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Next, we begin to read about Philip going to Samaria. If you remember, Philip was the second man named to handle the money for the widows. He was a devout man like Stephen. We read that he chose to go to the capital of the land of the Samaritans to preach the gospel. This is a region typically hated by the Jews because they were a mixed race with the nations, and they distorted the Old Testament. The Jews were prejudiced against the Samaritans. But Jesus did not stay away from that area like the rest of the Jews. He had even offered salvation to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4.
Notice what happens when Philip speaks. Verse 6 says that the crowds paid attention with one accord. They heard him, and verse 10 says, "all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest." The Samaritans submitted to Christ and were baptized. Even the great Simon was baptized. He saw the signs and could not doubt them. Even Simon, who was previously a magician, submitted to Christ when he saw the miracles Philip was able to do. What a contrast to the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Do you see in this text that God can change this rebellious group of outcasts into disciples of Christ?
Do we struggle to believe that people can change? I don't want to paint a fairy tale picture that's not realistic. In our society, plenty of folks are too selfish to pay attention and submit. But let's be careful not to judge a book by its cover. The Samaritans are an example of that.
Turning A Con Artist To A Humble Servant
Now, our attention turns to one Samaritan in particular.
Acts 8:13--25 (ESV) --- 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. 14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they 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 this power also, 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 the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, 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 in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” 25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.Now the apostles come to Samaria, and they "laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit." This is an interesting statement because God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit at baptism according to Acts 2:38. What does this refer to?
Notice the words used in this text. They are vital. Verses 15 and 16 say that they prayed for them after they were baptized so that the Holy Spirit might fall on them. What does the phrase "Might fall on them" indicate? If you remember back in Acts 2, the disciples had the Holy Spirit fall on them, and they could speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit falling on people appears to be something other than the gift of the Holy Spirit in baptism. When baptized, we all receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But the apostles were able to impart miraculous gifts by laying on hands. This was also called the giving of the Holy Spirit.
But Simon saw this power, and he wanted it for himself.
Acts 8:18--19 (ESV) --- 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 this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Peter rebukes Simon for this. The intentions of Simon's heart indicate that he has reverted to the old ways. He's not being faithful or true to what Christ has called him to be.
Consider the message of Simon the Magician. He was the greatest in Samaria but believing the gospel brought him down to earth. Then, we read about him struggling because he wants to be the greatest again. He sees the apostles' power and wants to be like them. God has taken this con artist in as his disciple, but those in Christ should not be self-seeking. So Peter rebukes him and commands him to pray for forgiveness.
I love how he responds. He humbly asks Peter to pray for him. If we received that kind of rebuke, would we humble ourselves? Would we accept a demotion and downgrade? That's what Jesus calls for all who are great to do. He has come to humble the exalted and exalt the lowly. That change is good for everyone but a hard pill to swallow.
What's The Message?
What's the message of this story? He changed the persecution into the spread of the gospel. He changed the Samaritans into the most faithful group of believers until that point. Then we read about him changing Simon from the greatest con artist to the least disciple. We can see that the bad can be made good in all of these changes. God takes the evil that Satan presents and crushes it into good.
This text teaches us that God can turn bad events into opportunities. It also teaches us that the gospel doesn't follow traditional boundaries. Those who are lost can be found, and some of the most unlikely prospects will be the most captive audience to the gospel.
Application
Since the gospel has the power to change things, we must let it change us, and we must change our mindsets. We shouldn't be scared of persecution if the gospel is not crushed by persecution. The gospel flourishes in times of persecution. It seems to wake up the sleeping giant, so the gospel spreads everywhere. Are we preparing ourselves for that opportunity to come? Do we know the gospel well enough to take it into regions that haven't heard of it before? If our coworker, spouse, or schoolmate persecutes us for the gospel, are we ready to live like Christ and share the gospel anyway? Sometimes losing our job might be our call to go elsewhere to share the gospel with a new group who will listen. Regardless, believe that God can turn that bad event into an opportunity.
As Christians, we gather for the mission. We don't gather together because God wants to hear us singing, praying, and preaching. It's not about our sacrifice! He desires for us to show mercy and grace by spreading the gospel to those in need. Our mission is to grow spiritually to seek and save the lost around us because that's Jesus' mission. If we aren't growing spiritually so we can perform our role, we are failing to prepare for persecution and the opportunity to share the gospel with others. Our mission is not to come together and worship. If that's our mission, then persecution will crush us. Our mission is to share the gospel everywhere we go. Don't be prejudiced against worldly people. Even the most unlikely and immoral person might submit.
Conclusion
What are the thoughts and intentions in your heart? Have you submitted your life to Christ? If you have, have you turned back to the world again? Repent of your wickedness, and turn back to God. If you seek him, God will forgive and help you overcome the pull of this world. Remember, his goal is to turn the bad into good. Let that be your story.