Acts 13:4-12 Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus

This is the beginning of the first missionary journey for Barnabas and Saul. From Antioch they go to Seleucia which is on the coast of the Mediterranean and from there they sail to the island of Cyprus. Arriving at Salamis on the east coast, they travel across the island to the west, all the way to Paphos. Why did they choose this path? I am certain that the Holy Spirit was guiding them in their journey as they prayed to him for direction. Also, we can see the commitment to spread the Gospel systematically across the region as they make their way through. Am I committed to spread the Gospel?

It is worth noting that what we call missionary journey for Barnabas and Saul is really a trip to the surrounding regions of Antioch and not so much a voyage to the unknown places of the world where language and cultural training was required. The Church began its outreach to the areas that were at its reach first. The Church took responsibility for missions. Am I committed to share the Gospel in a systematic way in our region? Am I willing to view missions as going to the surrounding regions of the church and not just going "overseas?"

Barnabas and Saul began their missionary journey doing what they knew how to do. They proclaimed the good news of the Gospel to the Jews in their synagogues. How did they react to opposition? Here we have the example of Bar-Jesus or Elymas. He was a magician - remember that magicians are not illusionists; they are more like spiritists. He also opposed the preaching of Paul trying to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus, who was seeking to hear the Gospel, away from the faith. Paul confronted the man and brought a curse upon him to be blinded for a time. He accused him of "making crooked the straight paths of the Lord." This confrontation brought Sergius Paulus to believe the Word of God.

As I attempt to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, I will encounter opposition to the spread of the Word of God. It is important to identify the things that hinder the preaching of the Gospel and address them head on. In Paul's case it was a confrontation of powers, the Gospel vs Elymas' magic. Paul brings a curse upon him to demonstrate that magic is no match for the power of the Gospel. What are the things that oppose the Gospel in my neighborhood? How can I confront and disarm them? Am I truly committed to see the Word of God spread no matter the cost?

Father, guide me to share the good news of the Gospel with those who need it. Fill me with your Spirit to confront the obstacles and false teachings that stand in my way to communicate the Gospel. Fill me with joy as I share the abundant life of the kingdom. Amen.

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.