Reading for May 15th

 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 in 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 on Jesus as messiah (see 2.36; 3.18; 4.26-27; 17.3). In verse 6: The response of the crows 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 claimed that he was someone great and his acclamation as the power of God that is called Great are both Blasphemy (Acts 1.22-23). In verse 111: Luke consistently links magic, widely practiced through ritual, books, amulets, and spells, with demonic forces (Acts 13.10; 19.13-20). In verse 12-13: 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 verses 15-20: The confirming sign of receiving the Holy Spirit is given through the apostle's 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 apostle's to the Samaritans, confirming the work of the Hellenists. Comments or or Questions..