Acts 8:9-25 (NRSV)
Philip and Simon the magician Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great." And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.
Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power so that anyone 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 God's gift with money! You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness." Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me." Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.
DEVOTION
Today we meet a man named Simon. His former trade was that of a magician, but after meeting Philip he puts all of his hope in Jesus, is baptized, and proceeds to follow Philip all around the city!
What wonderful GOOD NEWS!
But, then the story goes bad. Simon sees the apostles, Peter and John, laying hands on people and praying for them to receive the power of the Holy Spirit! He is astounded by the signs and wonders he witnesses as people receive the Spirit and so he offers to pay the apostles if they will teach him how to give the Holy Spirit to others!
At Simon's words, Peter and John freak out reprimanding Simon for trying to buy the power of God. When Simon realizes his big mistake he asks the disciples to pray for him that he might receive God's grace and avoid any punishment that might ensue.
Now, I don't know about you, but I feel a little bit bad for Simon, the former magician. After all, he was only a "baby Christian." He was just coming into an understanding of God's love and Amazing Grace. His heart was in the right place; he wanted to give the Spirit to everyone! He just didn't have a right understanding in his head (yet). In other words, his theology--or God talk--needed some maturation and discipleship!
I have known people like Simon. They have taught me how important it is for mature Christians to be patient with new converts to our faith.
I have found that putting all of your hope in Jesus requires a radical realignment of values and behavior. It causes people to become really stretched in body, mind, and spirit, as they come to believe in God's love and grace, as they train themselves to "walk by faith and not by sight," and as they learn to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, as they love their neighbors as themselves!
Wow! For people who did not grow up in the church, this must seem like a very tall order. They are often asked, in very short order, to turn their back only the on thing they have known (e.g., "worldly ways") and fully embrace "kingdom values."
Too often in our churches, we get frustrated with the "baby Christians" when they don't change as fast as we wish! We forget that while we may have been Christians all of our lives, baby Christians are just learning our ways and our values. Baby Christians may not dress how we dress, talk how we talk, or live how we live. They may make choices and/or mistakes that we do not approve of.
But let us remember, dear friends, that the way to lead young Christians into a Kingdom-Come Life is not to berate and humiliate them. Rather, we should come along side of them, offering love, partnership and a good example!
As they hang around longer-term Christians, learning to read the Bible and pray, seeking God for wisdom, direction, and counsel, their outward behaviors will improve!
But, let us also remember that scripture teaches us that salvation is not attained by our good works, lest anyone boast and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God! That's why the Bible also says, "Judge not, lest you be judged!"
Aren't you glad that it is not our "good behavior" that saves us, rather it is our faith in Jesus that secures the forgiveness of our sin and eternal life?
This means that baby Christians are just as "saved" as the sister or brother who has been a member of the church for seventy-five years.
The Bible says that "a good tree will bear good fruit." But, let us remember that most fruit trees do not bare any fruit at all in their earliest years. A fruit tree can take three, five, or even eight years to bare fruit.
Let us be patient with new Christians as they find their way. Often, the only thing that they know about "church" is that it is the place where, they met the people who, love Jesus!
Once they put all of their hope in Jesus, let us take the time to love and disciple them into the Christian men, women, boys, and girls God wants them to be!
Is there a "baby Christian" in your life that you are willing to befriend and mentor?
Holy God, thank you that you are much, much better than all of the silver and gold that the world has to offer! Help me to share the surpassing value of our friendship with others. Help me to be gracious and patient with others as I share my faith, for I know that you have been gracious and patient with me! I love you so much and I want to share this love with others! In Jesus' Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their faith in Jesus! We are so excited about your new-found faith in Jesus! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
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From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
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