Acts 8:14 - Supporting Christians

Introduction

When I say support other Christians - what do I have in mind?

To assist or help.

C5 assisting the ground troops in battle

We need to assist one another in our battles.

1 Samuel 23 Jonathon strengthen David’s hand in God.

to keep from fainting, yielding, or losing courage

Judges 4 - Deborah tells Barak, has not the Lord commanded that you should take 10,000 men to Mount Tabor, I will give you victory over Sisera Jabin’s army.

Judges 4:8 “And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.”

Hebrews 11:32 “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:”

Selflessness - Acts 8:14-17

Acts 8:14–17 KJV 1900

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

The Apostles were being changed by God’s Spirit and Word.

We will not be moved by God’s Spirit or His word if we are not selfless. If our ministry is more about us than God, then it will lack the dynamic change that is brought about by divine power.

There is a backdrop to what happens in our scene

Luke 9:51-56 “And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.”

In this text James and John, perhaps all the Apostles had a spirit about them that was not conducive to ministry

Not a spirit of meekness, humbleness or love, but of anger and revenge and possibly hatred

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

The last Theophilus would have read about the disciples interaction with Samaritans was here.

From Luke 9 to Acts 8 something had change had occurred in the Apostles lives.

What had changed?

The sanhedrin had understood the cause of this change - Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

The phrase “had been with” - imperfect — The verb tense where the writer portrays an action in process or a state of being that is occurring in the past with no assessment of the action’s completion

How were they with Jesus now speaks of their selflessness that created the environment to grow in their faith.

The Holy Spirit.

In what way did the Holy Spirit shine in their life to give evidence that they had been with Jesus? Boldness!

Luke 12:11-12 “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.”

Boldness - The trait of being willing to undertake activities that involve risk or danger; especially that involve being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech

They were changed by God’s word

You cannot have God’s word changing you without the Holy Spirit working.

John 6:63 “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

John 16:13 “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

Even though the Jews had animosity towards the Samaritans, Luke presents them in a positive light. where Jesus used them as objects lessons for change.

Luke 10:33 “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,”

Luke 17:16-19 “And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

They came - Acts 8:14

Acts 8:14 KJV 1900

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

While the church at Jerusalem was being persecuted that brought about a diminished membership, Samaria experienced great joy.

This is more than a matter of fact statement; it seems to be almost a technical expression by which Luke signals an important new stage in the advance of the Gospel.

This could have easily led to bitterness - Illustration - Central Baptist Church needing to increase their parking lot size.

Instead of being bitter, they (the Apostles) wanted to make the Samaritans better.

During a time of great need for them, the apostles dispatched Peter and John (Kent Hughes says, they sent 2 front-line Apostles- not to condemn of judge but to support ans strengthen.

God’s grace makes traitors friends.

Put this in perspective - They were already being persecuted for their faith, now they gave the Jews another reason to hate them!

They came with a purpose - Acts 8:14-17

Acts 8:14–17 KJV 1900

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

They prayed for them

The way this is written is, they put everything into this prayer for the Samaritans.

Them praying for the Samaritans was a selfless act

They took the time to pray

They asserted themselves in praying

They wanted to help but realize they needed divine power to help.

Snapshot event - They went down there with the purpose of season prayer.

We get an idea of what they were praying for - The gift of the Holy Ghost

Some say they were never truly born again (converted) under Philip’s preaching. When Peter and John came, they really trusted in Jesus and then received the Holy Spirit.

Some say they were truly born again. Then, in a subsequent experience, they received the Holy Spirit in a pattern that believers should follow today.

Some say they were converted in response to Philip’s preaching; yet God, in a unique move, withheld the gift of the Holy Spirit until Peter and John could bestow it on them. God’s purpose in this was to ensure continuity between the church in Jerusalem and the new church in Samaria, guarding against division.

Some say they were really born again and did really receive the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion, but were given special gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit at the laying on of hands by Peter and John.

The last option seems to best explain what happened. Whatever the Samaritans experienced, it seems to have been more than the “regular” bestowal of the Holy Spirit at salvation. This is a filling of the Holy Spirit we should always desire and seek.

They laid hands on them

Received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Some might say that there needs to be apostolic power to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost - Acts 9:17 “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”

Some might say that it is the laying of hands that is needed to receive the gift of the Spirit - But in Acts 10, the Apostle Peter preaches at the house of Cornelius, and his hearers receive the Spirit before he can lay hands on them.

The Holy Spirit came to break the partition and form a single unified group of Christians.

Self-centered - Acts 8:18-24

Acts 8:18–24 KJV 1900

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Simon was a false believer in Jesus - Acts 8:13 “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”

Even though he believed, was baptized and continued with Philip, Luke gives us the reason he followed Philip at the end of the verse - “wondering, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”

Contrast between v.13 and v.14 - Simon amazed at the miracles and sign - The Samaritans were being changed by God’s word.

He wanted power for control purposes.

He wanted the power so that he can weaponize the Holy Spirit for his gain.

Instead of making people free, he wanted to use the Holy Spirit to continue bewitching people.

He wanted life to be about him - It was not the Apostles who bestowed the Holy Spirit upon the Samaritans - It was God through the Apostles who did this great event.

He wanted to be the first prosperity Gospel preacher.

Simon willingly desired to invest money into this ministry.

Return on investment.

His rebuke

Acts 8:20 “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”

We cannot purchase the Holy Spirit or God’s grace with anything

Favors

Faithfulness

Praying

Kindness

Giving

The gift of God has been purchased by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:18-19 “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Hebrews 2:1-4 “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

Acts 8:21 “Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.”

Acts 8:22 “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”

Acts 8:23 “For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”

The phrase “gall of bitterness” is very strong. Gall refers to a bitter ingredient or bile. Coupled with bitterness, it conveys an extremely bitter, harsh and distasteful condition.

“bond of iniquity” - sin is a harsh taskmaster.

Simon’s response - Acts 8:24 “Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.”

His response is heart-breaking and painful to read.

Compare what Peter said with Simon’s response

Acts 8:22 “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”

Acts 8:24 “Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.”

Returned to Jerusalem - Acts 8:25

Acts 8:25 KJV 1900

And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Visited to cities of Samaria that was on their way.

Testified and preached

Later in this verse, we know what they testified to and preached about - The Gospel - The good news!

Testify means - To prove something to be true. Preaching means to talk to someone - share.

Luke did not record what measures they took n proving the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our joy in the God of the Bible is the best way we can demonstrate the Bible to be true.

God is most glorified in us as we are most satisfied in Him.

Whether we go through pain or have an uplifting experience, God is mot glorified in us as we are most satisfied in Him.

It is not the experiences we joy in but God who controls the experience.

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”

What is at stake

Why did God create the universe? - God created this world for the praise of the glory of his grace displayed supremely in the death of Jesus.

Oprah walked away from orthodox Christianity when she was about 27 because of the biblical teaching that God is jealous — he demands that he and no one else gets our highest allegiance and affection. It didn’t sound loving to her.

Brad Pitt turned away from his boyhood faith, he says, because God says, “You have to say that I’m the best. . . . It seemed to be about ego.”

C.S. Lewis, before he became a Christian, complained that God’s demand to be praised sounded like “a vain woman who wants compliments.”

Erik Reece, the writer of An American Gospel, rejected the Jesus of the Gospels because only an egomaniac would demand that we love him more than we love our parents and children.

And Michael Prowse, the columnist for the London Financial Times, turned away because only “tyrants, puffed up with pride, crave adulation.”

Man has fallen short of the purpose of God’s creation - Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Solution - Philippians 1:20-21 “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Magnified - Showing something or someone to be great - Paul wants to show Jesus to be great.

How does he achieve this?

Corresponding “life” with “live” and “death” with “die.”

He wants to make Jesus great in his life and death.

In his life - He lives for Jesus - Christ - He is the answer!

Philippians 3:8 “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”

Jesus is the one who Paul had the most affection for and took the greatest pleasure in.

Death is gain.

How is death gain?

Philippians 1:23 “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”

“Far Better” - Much more better.

Context - he wrote this epistle while in prison

Returned to Jerusalem

To the frying pan.

Where havoc was made of the church

Because those who remain needed supporting

Conclusion

We cannot be a supportive Christian if we are not enjoying the selfless God who gave the greatest gift to humanity - His Son.