Devotion for Friday after Trinity Sunday, 24 June 2011 Anno Domini

Devotion for Friday after Trinity Sunday, 24 June 2011 Anno Domini
“5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 25And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.” (Acts 8:5-25)
Stephen has been stoned and the persecution of the Church at Jerusalem intensifies. Once evil notions are supported by action, it becomes much more enthusiastic. Saul (Paul) is the leader of this severe persecution at Jerusalem and the environs. Of course, the outcome is that the disciples were scattered to places where they may never have otherwise traveled with the Gospel. They bore ‘Precious Seeds’ to the frontier regions of the Roman Empire.
“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.” Samaria was the region north of Jerusalem and its people were considered unclean by the Jews. But Christ came for all – the unrighteous as well as those who vainly attempted to gain Heaven’s favor though good works.
“And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.” It happens oftentimes that those people whom religion has cast off as unholy may become the holiest of all in the eyes of God. These Samarians were eager to hear Philip and to receive his message with one accord. There were demon spirits cast out of many due to their embryonic faith. Many were healed in the pleasure of God at their earnestness. Where God is introduced to those who have not possessed the knowledge of Him, there is great joy just as an abundance of water in a dry land, whose soil has been deprived of life-giving waters for a great time, results in plenty of flowers and plants springing suddenly up.
“But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.” When God uses the conjunction ‘but’ He uses it strongly. An example is found in 2 Kings 5:1 where we are told that Naaman was a great man with his master and honorable, ‘but’ he was a leper. The complete unity of the people in doctrine and preaching is about to be contrasted by a man named Simon who had previously been a notable practitioner of sorcery.
“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” The people had been spiritually seduced by the bewitching sorcery of Simon, but now that truth has been revealed though the preaching of Philip, they are persuaded of the cheap imitation of Simon’s compared to the real, authentic preaching of the Kingdom of God! The preaching of Christ to them convinced that the name of Jesus Christ was a name above every other name, and they were baptized all.
“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” Yes, and so do the devils believe and tremble (James 2:19). It is possible to know that Jesus Christ is Lord but believe short of salvation. Simon believed the miracles. He was a man keen to make money by such a trade, but his miracles were mere deceptions. He was even baptized. Without that inward spiritual grace there is no regeneration.
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)” The apostles at Jerusalem sent Peter and John to Samaria when they heard that they had received the Gospel. They were sent as equals to the other apostles, not as superiors for an inferior sends not out a superior. These Samaritans had not yet received the Holy Ghost. They had been baptized in the name of Christ and believed, yet the Apostles needed to lay hands on them, pray, and acknowledge their baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. That satisfies wholly the baptismal expression of the Christian. “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”
“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.” Here Simon reveals his lack of salvation. His central focus is money, not souls for Christ.
“But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” Here is a gravely solemn rebuke to this TV evangelist who presumes to ask for money at every opportunity. Churches that bless little children who bring envelopes of money during the New Years holiday are less honorable than the corrupt priests of Luther’s day who granted, for a fee, indulgence to sin.
“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.” Here an attempt is made to make Simon aware of how great was his sin, and how fearful he should be of it.
“Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.” Peter had counseled Simon to pray for himself (vv22) but Simon lacks faith and desires someone else of faith to pray for him. The most wholesome prayer is uttered by the believer. The prayers of faithful men will avail little if the object of the prayer lacks all faith.
“And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.” They came on the primary mission of preaching where Philip had laid such a good foundation. Now they will return to Jerusalem, but continue to preach in the villages that lay in their way in Samaria. Not only does a good soldier invest the primary objective, but also targets of opportunity in the way. Our lesson here is to preach at every opportunity. Share your testimony when opportunity arises even if that was not what you set out to do in the first place.