November 20, Acts 8
Do you struggle with some temptation because of your past? Are you searching for God and wrestling with questions? There are some good examples for you in today’s reading.
Stephen’s death marked the beginning of intensified hostility against the disciples. Instead of quelling the movement, the opposition spread the gospel from Jerusalem. Luke shows how that happened in the adventures of Philip. When Philip took the good news on the road, he found people who received the message so many had rejected in Jerusalem.
The Samaritans believed the preaching about Jesus and the kingdom of God, amazed by the signs Philip performed. Superstition flourishes in the darkness, and Simon had tricked the Samaritans into thinking he had the great power of God. When they (including Simon) saw the real power of God in Philip, they were baptized in the name of Jesus. Simon knew the difference in his tricks and what Philip was doing. When the apostles came, he tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter rebuked him and warned him to repent. Simon accepted the rebuke and turned away from his bad idea.
Even when we have new life in Christ, our past may make us more vulnerable to certain temptations. New Simon was still thinking like old Simon about how he could use that power. Peter’s stern censure was a necessary course correction for the former trickster.
Philip’s next assignment took him out of the city and into the desert where the Holy Spirit got him a ride with a sincere seeker. The Ethiopian had traveled to Jerusalem to worship as a proselyte to Judaism. As he returned, he wasn’t reading a magazine or playing chariot tag bingo to pass the time. Although it gives me a terrific headache to read while riding, this fellow was reading Isaiah in his Bible as he rolled through the wilderness.
When Philip asked if he understood what he was reading, the Ethiopian replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” I like his humility! Philip started in Isaiah 53 where the man was reading, and told him about Jesus. That’s a good lesson about sharing your faith. You have to meet folks where they are if you want to get them where you want them to go. I also like the Ethiopian’s eagerness to do what he learned. Instead of questioning the necessity of it, he asked to be baptized when they came to some water. He found what he was looking for and went home rejoicing, even though the preacher disappeared right after baptizing him!
Both these stories are about humility. If you’ve fallen for a temptation, are you humble enough to be corrected and repent? If you’re looking for joy and meaning, are you humble enough to learn? When you learn the will of God, are you humble enough to obey? How often has pride kept us from learning what we need to know and doing what we need to do?
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Today in God's Word—November 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
Comments