Click here to go to Acts 8
Jesus told them they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world, but little did the followers of Christ realize that it would be persecution that would force them out of Jerusalem.
It's interesting to think of how Saul went from watching Stephen being stoned to dragging men and women out of their homes and throwing them into prison. Yet, we know the end of his story and what a glorious story it is!
I love the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. How God used him and took care of him.
The story of the early church is so encouraging to me.
36 As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”[d] 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him."
ReplyDeleteI love the impromptu baptism. It reminds me that the word of God can be spread anywhere and everywhere, not just in the church buildings.
Acts 8:4-25
ReplyDeleteSimon knows his magic is an illusion. He too hears Philip sharing the message about God's kingdom and Jesus Christ. He also believes and is baptized.
9 A man named Simon lived in that city. He amazed the people of Samaria with his practice of magic. He claimed that he was great.
12 However, when Philip spread the Good News about the kingdom of God and the one named Jesus Christ, men and women believed him and were baptized. 13 Even Simon believed...
Simon see miracles performed that only God can do. He asks to buy God's power to lay hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit. Peter tells him it is God's gift and to ask forgiveness. Simon asks to be prayed for.
Simon is knowing that his magic is not real, but God's power is.
The part about Simon stood out to me this time too, Kathleen! I love this chapter, for the reasons all of you mentioned already. We see them forced from their comfort zone . . . and into one of the most amazing times of witness I daresay the world has ever seen.
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