Acts 8:9-25 Simon the Magician Believes

The Gospel continues to spread even in Samaria. Its power amazes the Samaritans, even those who were practicing magic to amaze others - like Simon. Simon's magic was not the kind of magic we see in B'Day parties and shows whereby illusions, the magician "makes believe" that he has powers. Magic during the days of the Ancient Church is more like Spiritism today, assisted by demonic powers. It was practiced to heal diseases, bless and curse people, protect oneself from curses, and foretell the future. Its practice frequently used incantations, invoking the powers of some god or spirit, potions, and amulets. This kind of magic is forbidden in the Bible (Read Leviticus 19, 20 and Deuteronomy 18). It is an abomination against our God. But Simon believed the Gospel through Philip's preaching and abandoned his practice of magic.

Though Simon had stopped the practice of magic, he still thought and felt like a magician. It is easier to get the person out of magic than to get magic out of the person's heart. Peter and John were sent to review the work done in Samaria and they found that they had been baptized in the name of Jesus, but the Holy Spirit had not fallen on them. So Peter and John pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit and Simon, observing the power of God unleashed upon these new believers, wants to buy this ability to pray for people to receive the Holy Spirit. Simon is used to bargaining with spiritual powers for personal gain. But Peter condemns his desire and motivation. Thankfully, Simon repents.

The Lord saved me from sin and the world, but it is necessary now to get sin and the world out of my heart. The work of the kingdom is not completed at conversion. Conversion is only the beginning of a long journey. Spiritual growth is absolutely necessary to free the soul from the clutches of sin and the world. I must seek the filling of the Spirit. I must meditate on the Word day and night. I must pray to God in repentance for my sins seeking his forgiveness and grace. The transformation of my soul is a process that I must commit to realizing that I have no power to change myself, but I submit to the mercy and power of God to change me. Like Simon, I have believed and I have been baptized, but my heart wanders and at times is not right; wickedness still finds its way to manifest itself in my life.

Simon thought that the power of the Holy Spirit could be bought with money. He was so used to dealing with the spiritual world in terms of personal gain. He was in it for the power, prestige, even fame. He craved the attention; he loved the adulation of his fans. The kingdom of God called Simon to abandon all that. It calls me to leave all of it behind too. The kingdom of God is not about me and what I can do to impress people, but it is about God and what he has done for me. And most certainly, what God has done is enough to amaze us all.

Peter saw Simon in "the gal of bitterness and the bond of iniquity." Practicing sin as a Christian has dire consequences. Bitterness and bondage were awaiting to capture Simon's life if he did not repent. If I don't repent of my sin and continue to live a life of sin, practicing sin on a regular basis, I will also experience bitterness and bondage in my life. Sinning against the Holy Spirit without repentance on a regular basis will produce resentment in my heart. And if I continue the practice, it will lead to bondage. The kingdom of God is about freedom! Why would I choose to submit myself to bondage once again after he has freed me from it? I must repent! I must seek the fullness of his Spirit!

Father, shine your light upon my heart and don't let any dark corner have the upper hand. Fill me with your Spirit and help me shake off sin and the world from my heart. May I serve you to give you glory and not to advance my own agenda. Amen.

Acts 4:1-22 Peter and John Before the Council

The healing of the lame beggar was an indisputable sign from God. There were people who witnessed the healing. There were people who knew firsthand the beggar, who was over forty years old, and his condition. Though many people came to Christ as a result of the miracle (estimated 5,000), some still opposed the message. The priests and the Sadducees were annoyed with the preaching for different reasons. The priests opposed it because they didn't believe in Jesus as the Son of God. The Sadducees opposed it because they did not believe in the resurrection and did not like the proclamation that Jesus had resurrected from the dead. No matter how powerful a sign God may perform in our midst, there will be opposition.

Peter and John, after being arrested, were questioned about their good deed. The officials asked by what power they had performed it. Peter, filled with the Spirit answers that it was in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom they crucified, whom God raised from the dead. Now, this is what I call courage and boldness! Knowing that he was arrested by people who hate Jesus and the resurrection, Peter still pounds, without fear, the truth in their faces. This is the kind of courage and boldness I need in this world to make known the message of the kingdom of God.

The message of the kingdom is clear. Jesus Christ is the one killed and resurrected; the stone they rejected and God made him the cornerstone; the salvation of the world. For there is no other name in which we must be saved. Peter not only demonstrated courage and boldness in preaching Jesus' name and his resurrection, but he makes the claim that Jesus is the exclusive savior - there is no other. We think that a message of exclusivity is not accepted today, but in those days, there were many religions and some pagan religions had many gods. To make a claim of exclusivity was counter-cultural, even daring. The gospel of the kingdom does not have room for polytheism (many gods) or syncretism (mix of religions). I need to make a decision about Jesus: Is he or is he not the Savior of the world? If he is, I must proclaim him as the exclusive savior with resolve and unapologetically.

The Spirit of God takes uneducated, common people and transforms them into true witnesses to the world. People who are determined to speak the name of Jesus no matter the cost. Even under threat to speak to no one, they were more concerned with God's perspective - "whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you." What they had witnessed was so life-changing that they could not be silent - "for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." Have I truly experienced the saving power of Jesus in my life? If I have, what is holding me back from sharing the greatest thing that has happened in my life? If I fear something, it means I am not filled of the Holy Spirit. I need his fullness today, every day!

Father, send your Spirit and fill me up. May I boldly proclaim the name of your Son Jesus no matter the opposition. Grant me courage and boldness. Amen.

Acts 3:1-10 The Lame Beggar Healed

Judaism had three hours of prayer a day. The first one was at the third hour of the day or from 8:00-9:00am. The second was at the sixth hour of the day or from 11:00-noon. And the third was at the ninth hour of the day or from 2:00-3:00pm. The Jews counted the hours starting at 6:00am instead of midnight like we do (the Roman system). The disciples continued to pray according to this schedule. In our day, we have watered down our devotion through prayer. Many Christians don't practice a devotional life at all. I must fight to keep a meaningful devotional life every day.

During this hour of prayer, many Jews would make their way to the temple. Beggars came to take their place at the different gates that lead to the temple to ask for alms - beg for money. This was the only way that the handicapped poor could survive since they could not work. In the case of this lame beggar, probably family and friends would carry him to the gate to a place where he could be seen to receive some alms. Poverty is a difficult social issue that I wish I didn't have to deal with. But Jesus told us that we would have the poor with us. My responsibility is to ensure I have a benevolent heart to help those who are in need. It starts in my home, my church, and my community. My Christian faith demands that I "direct my gaze" at the poor and not away from them.

Interestingly enough, Peter and John are not in a position to give any money because they didn't have any to give. But the fact that they didn't have money did not deter them from interacting with the beggar. Actually, they had something to offer that was more precious than money - Jesus Christ! With authority, Peter calls on Jesus on behalf of the beggar for healing and the beggar is healed! I must understand that Christ is more important than money. The opportunity to pray for God's intervention in someone's life, including the outcast of our society should not be passed up. Sometimes, I focus on the material things I can offer people and don't stop to consider that a prayer may be as needed. Of course, I don't want to become one who just offers a prayer and does nothing to relieve the physical need. But I don't want to think that all I have to offer is material because Jesus Christ can do things in a life that nothing and no one else can do.

The results of offering a prayer on behalf of people and their needs are in the hands of God for sure. But I cannot enjoy testimonies of wonder and amazement unless I take that step of faith. The Gospel is proclaimed by the testimonies of people whom God touches through his body - the Church. I am part of that body. I am the hands of Jesus to touch those who are in need. I am the mouth of Jesus to say a prayer for those who are oppressed. I am the feet of Jesus to carry the Good News wherever I go. The poor and the oppressed need me to direct my gaze at them and offer them what I have - physically and spiritually. I will offer relief for the body as God enables me, but I will also offer relief for the soul in the name of Jesus Christ. I will offer my prayers on their behalf. I will intercede to my heavenly Father for them to receive a healing touch. For some it may be physical, but the real healing begins with the soul.

Father, help me be a man of prayer. May I seek you day by day with all my heart. Fill my heart with compassion so that I may be benevolent towards the poor and the oppressed. Give me courage to offer what I have to those in need. Amen.