The Futility of Chasing Power

The Power of the Law

Acts 8:1–3 (NIV)

And Saul approved of their killing him.

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Saul of Tarsus. Learned a lucrative trade, tent making, studied under Gamaliel, but had a very different view of Christians. Studied the Law and the Scriptures in Jerusalem.

Saul was stuck on the power of the Law. The Law of God held such power in Jewish culture. Those who had the ability to shape and mold others through the use of the Law and the Scriptures were revered above others. Saul was caught up in this power. As Christianity hits the scene, the Jewish religious leaders see it is an opposition to their power. But they had forgotten that the Law was not power in and of itself. The Law held power because of the power of the One who bestowed it upon Moses.

Stuck in the power of the Law and unable to see the very One that the Law pointed toward. Not even through miraculous works that could only be accomplished by God or even the evidence of human reasoning could unstick these teachers of the Law. Acts 5:33-39

Acts 5:33–39 (NIV)

When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

The Power of God

Acts 8:4–25 (NIV)

Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Because of persecution, the church scatters from Jerusalem, but take note that the message did not cease to spread. In fact, the laity, not the clergy, were the means b which the church spread. Everywhere they went, the people of God shared the Good News of Christ.

Simon the sorcerer was known throughout the area for his tricks of amazement, but when compared to the power of God, Simon’s tricks were seen for what they were.

Take note that the second occurence of the Holy Spirit coming upon a body of believers was upon the Samaritans signifying the expansion of GOd’s Kingdom from the Jews to the Samaritans.

God’s power and authority always shine through as the genuine article.

God’s power when manipulated for humanly gain will always lead to destruction.

The laity serve as the example for the clergy. Go and be obedient to the things of God and make disciples of all nations.