Reading for July 12th

Read Acts 8.4-25. In 8.4-25: The mission in Samaria.  In verse 5: Philip, like Stephen, is a Hellenist, appointed to wait on tables (6.1-6), but immediately makes a public witness. The mission is Samaria is significant to moving beyond Jerusalem, as Samaria was significant to Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem (Lk 9.51-56; 10.29-37). the message remains focused on Jesus as Messiah (see 2.36; 3.18; 4.26-27; 17.3). In verse 6: The response of the crowd is comparable to that of the people in Jerusalem (2.43; 4.32-33). In verse 7: This summary of healings recalls Jesus' ministry in Lk 7.21-22. Loud shrieks were characteristic of manifestations of demons (Lk 4.33, 41; 8.28; 9.39). In verses 9-10: Simon, known in Christian stories as "Simon Magus" or "Simon the Magician," was infamous as a Samaritan heretic. Simon's claim that he was someone great and his acclamation as the power of God that is called Great are both blasphemy (Acts 12.22-23). In verse 11: Luke consistently links magic, widely practiced through rituals, books, amulets, and spells, with demonic forces (Acts 13.10; 19.13-20). In verses 12-12: Believing the good news Philip proclaimed and being baptized was a turning away of repentance or conversion from the practices of Simon. Signs and great miracles were displays of God's power (Acts 2.43; 5.12; 6.8), not the magician's art. In verse 14: The arrival of the  apostles (8.1) signals the authorization of the  office of the word of God that was entrusted to the twelve (see 6.2). In verse 15-20: The confirming sign of receiving the Holy Spirit is given through the apostles' hands, but not finally controlled by the twelve (6.6; 11.1-18, 22; 19.1-7). because of this story, buying a spiritual office with money became known as "simony." May your  silver perish with you is a prophetic warning, calling for repentance, not a final verdict. In verses 21-22: The part or share is divinely given (1.26). the repentance of the heart is marked with remorse (2.37), not scheming for personal advantage. In verse 25: Peter and John bring the mission of the apostles to the Samaritans, confirming the work of the Hellenists. Comments or Questions..