Something Greater

Acts 8: Christian or Churchian? Acts 8:18-19 What has gone before... Simon believed, and was baptized, and must have been among the crowd that received the Holy Spirit. He understood that Peter and John had a special relationship with God that gave them the authority, or the power, to confer the Holy Spirit upon others. Simon wanted the same authority, the same power, as Peter and John. Moving on... Acts 8:18-19 (ESV) "Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, - Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." POWER: exousia (privilege, force, capacity, competency, freedom, master, superhuman, potentate, token of control or influence); from exesti (it is right, as if being out in public); from ek (origin) and eimi (I exist) This is the same word used to describe the authority and power of Christ (Matthew 7:29; 9:6). This is the powe...

Acts 8: Baptism, The Holy Spirit, and Tongues Acts 8:18-19 What has gone before... Philip's preaching brought crowds in Samaria to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Sustainer. They gladly proclaimed their repentance and dependence upon God through water baptism. But something more was yet in store for these new believers. Peter and John prayed for the Samaritan Christians and they received the Holy Spirit. Moving on... "Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, - Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:18-19 (ESV) Simon the Magician was a believer , baptized along with crowds of men and women who had listened to Philip and saw the signs that he did. Simon must have also been among those for whom Peter and John prayed, and upon whom the Holy Spirit had fallen. Luke does not describe what "receiving the Holy Sp...

1 Timothy 3: Bishops, Overseers and Health Inspectors 1 Timothy 3:1 What has gone before... Paul urged the church in Ephesus to pray for two essential things : peace and quiet. Building on this theme, he focused on women and their need to learn godliness, which includes the skill of submissiveness, not only for the women but also for men and children. Biblical submissiveness is best defined as willing, joyful acceptance of God's sovereignty , protection and providence. A woman will live out their submissiveness to God by gladly allowing her husband to be the protector and provider of her family. The process of learning the skills of godliness includes experiences of pain or loss , and for the woman, childbearing often provides just such an experience. For men and women, learning is always an active demonstration of a skill or ability , and whether physically or spiritually. Moving on... "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer,...

Baptism of the Holy Spirit What has gone before... Simon the Magician was a big fish in the small pond of Samaritan mystics , but that all changed when Philip came to town. Now it was Simon's turn to be amazed. "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. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed." Acts 8:12-13 (ESV) Philip's preaching transformed Samaria . Moving on... BELIEVED: pisteuo (to have faith, to credit or entrust); from pistis (persuasion or credence; conviction of truth or reliance upon; constancy); from peitho (to convince by argument, whether true or false; to pacify or conciliate; to assent to or rely upon) Philip preached about the kingdom ( the royalty, rule and realm ) of God and the name (history, teaching, reputation and fame) of ...

Amazed By Magic What has gone on before... Fleeing violent persecution, led by Saul, Christians have scattered out from Jerusalem , leaving only the leaders, the apostles appointed by Jesus. Philip went to Samaria to preach Christ and the city erupted in joy as he healed many who were paralyzed or lame. People watching from a distance would have found the preaching and healing interesting or intriguing, but for those whom God touched, the miracles confirmed Philips words about Jesus . This was, however, not the first time Samaritans had been astounded by great power. Moving on... "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. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, - This man is the power of God that is called Great. - And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic." Acts 8:9-11 (ESV...

Learning Godliness What has gone before... Paul asked the women in the Ephesian church to examine how their dress and adornment should genuinely reflect what is in their hearts . The word for "adorn" means to put in proper order , implying all that is deeply essential. "Modesty" means bashfulness toward men, or awe towards God, closely related to respect or reverence. "Self-control" means soundness of mind, or sanity. A woman who dresses simply, modestly and inexpensively, must depend upon personality in order to impress or attract others . Without skin-revealing dress or expensive decoration, a woman must express strength and goodness by her words and actions. Paul is not forbidding braided hair , gold, pearls or expensive dress. Rather, he's emphasizing the need to allow God's Holy Spirit to develop within us the inner qualities of respect, modesty and self-control, expressed by good works. We cannot rely upon outer appearances to ma...