![]() This is not the magician who pulls a rabbit out of a hat or makes things disappear. This is not Mickey Mouse in The Magician’s Apprentice, dancing around wearing a big blue pointy hat with stars on it and waving his fingers at a broom. They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God.” (verses 9–10) “A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and amazed the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great. You might still be penniless, but you will have joy. You may still be stuck in a bad relationship, but you will have joy. It might not immediately change your circumstances it will fill you with joy. It sets people free and fills them with joy. So there was great joy in that city.” (verses 6-8) For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed, and lame were healed. “The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. Philip proclaims Jesus to them and how did they respond? God intended the gospel to go to all peoples, even those we formerly despised. ![]() One of these individuals was Philip, who went to Samaria. Christians scattered and as they did so, the gospel scattered with them. Parents are dragged off to jail their children orphaned. The word is mega in Greek: extreme, very aggressive persecution. “On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.” (Acts 8:1) The method God used to do this was persecution: Now that Jerusalem had been saturated with the gospel it was time to move out. God’s intention was never for it to remain there. Up until this point in the book of Acts the centre of action for gospel proclamation has been Jerusalem, the church’s centre. ![]() Salvation and sorcery, the gospel and magic, the power of God and the power of Satan are contrasted in this intriguing passage. But alongside that we also have the story of the salvation of the Samaritans, who are the first to receive the Holy Spirit outside of Jerusalem. In the book of Acts, Luke presents us with the story of Simon the Sorcerer – a man well versed in the power of magic who is drawn to a greater power – that of the One true God. Our recent Matariki (see my post on that here) holiday in New Zealand is a case in point. The resurging interest in Te Reo and Māori culture (which has been commendable) in our country has brought with it an interest in Māori mythology and spirituality, which merges nicely with New Age beliefs. New Age beliefs such as the presence of spiritual energy in physical objects are becoming more and more common. Interest in the magic arts – clairvoyancy, palm reading, mediums and psychics, astrology, witchcraft and the occult are all on the rise. Do you believe in magic? Some consider it superstitious nonsense, but others take it very seriously. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |