No soup for you.
Notes
Transcript
Ancient Chinese Writing
In the second month of the second year of Jian Ping, emperor of that time, the comet was our of Altair for more than 70 days…It is said, “Comets appear to signify the old being replaced by the new.” Altair, the sun, the moon and the five stars are in movement to signify the beginning of a new epoch; The beginning of a new year, a new month and a new day....The appearance of this comet undoubtedly symbolizes change. The extended appearance of this comet indicates that this is of great importance.”
Between 6 and 1 BC corresponding to the berth of Jesus.
Two more:
Summer, fourth month of the year, on the day of Ren Wu, the imperial edict reads, “Yin and Yang have mistakenly switched, and the sun and moon were eclipsed. The sins of all the people are now on one man. Pardon is proclaimed to all under heaven.”
“Eclipse on the day of Gui Hai, Man from Heaven died.”
Around 31 AD.
False Conversion
False Conversion
John McCarther called it a faith that cannot save.
4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them.
6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.
7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.
8 So there was much rejoicing in that city.
9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great;
10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.”
11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his magic arts.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.
13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.
14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21 “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
22 “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
24 But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
The Scattering
The Scattering
4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.
1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.
And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.
3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
This occured because of persecution.
The had Killed Jesus: Jesus rose from the dead God’s plan for salvation was fulfilled.
They threatened and beat the apostles: The apostles became bolder and kept preaching the word- Thousands were being saved.
Saul was persecuting believers: they were scattering, but they weren’t idol. They were preaching Jesus, and the number of believers was growing: in Judea and Samaria.
The very thing they were doing to try and stop the spread of Christianity was the very thing that God was using to expand the knowledge of His Son.
Philip
Philip
Not the apostle, but one of the seven that was chosen with Stephen to administer the serving of food to the widows.
“I didn’t sign up for that.” The fact is that when you acknowledge Jesus as Lord, you are saying, “I serve you.”
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
Samaria
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. God re-names Jacob Isreal. He has 12 sons who later become the 12 tribes of Isreal.
The tribes split into two Kingdoms: Judah and Benjamin in the southern kingdom. The rest int he northern kingdom.
the Northern Kingdom at one point is captured and dispersed and when they return they began to intermingle with other races and inhabit the area known as Samaria. They only have the first five books of the Law and their faith becomes intermingled with the faith of the other religions around them, opening the door for all sorts of superstitions.
The Jews (The Southern Kingdom) hated the Samaritans. They would go around Samaria.
Jesus’ parable about the good Samaritan was very problematic for the establishment of Jewish leadership.
But, because of Jesus’ teaching and instructions: Those walls that the Jews erected between them and the Samaritans were being broken down in the hearts of His followers.
So when Philip flees Jerusalem because of the persecution: He goes to Samaria (where the Saul and his fellow persecutors would not likely follow) and he does what he does: Makes much of Jesus.
Verse 6 and 7 tell us that Philip was performing signs: Casting our demons, healing the paralyzed and lame.
There was much rejoicing in the City.
“The redeemer” What they knew of God’s chosen.
Simon
Simon
Magic- (sorcery) Sleight of hand, illusions, fake healings.
Claiming to be someone great.
“Great Power of God”
Simon had a Pride Problem
153 bible verses about pride
6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor,
But with the humble is wisdom.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
Pride sent Pharoah to the bottom of the Red Sea
Pride sent Jonah into the belly of the Fish
Pride sent mankind out of the Garden
Pride controlled King Saul
It cost a third of the angels their place in Heaven
It cost Nebuchadnezzar his Kingdom and his sanity
Pride nearly destroyed apostles Peter and Paul.
The proud can never be saved.
Simon was proud.
The People
The People
But people were listening to Philip. They were believed Philip’s message bout Jesus and were being baptized.
Simon’s fame was fading and “if you can’t beat them.....
13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.
This guy would have been made a member of any church in the world. He wold have been congratulated, patted on the back, told to study the scripture and promised that he was saved and could never lose his salvation........
When Philip reported back to Jerusalem....Simon would have been counted as one of the converts.
“He believed and and was baptized.” Continued on with Philip.
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
Simon knew the fake....and could discern that Philip’s miracles were real.....
He believe.......James tells us even the demons believe and they tremble.
Jesus said this would happen....Rocky soil.
Parable of the net......good and bad fish.
The miracles were to confirm the Message.....but Simon wanted the miracles apart from the message.
“constantly amazed”
The Apostles
The Apostles
14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
No one had seen a Samaritan Christian. We are not told why they went....or why the Holy Spirit didn’t come to the Samaritans the moment they believed.
Scholars think that there was such a gap between Jews and Samaritans that God used this unique method of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to once and for always to make Jews and Samaritans that believed Jesus one people again....
and if Peter and John came back and reported it, there would be no doubt.
16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Baptism doesn’t save you!
18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
How did he know? You can’t see the Holy Spirit.
I believe that this resembled the day of Pentecost. Talking in different languages....etc.
19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
He didn’t want the Holy Spirit......He wanted to be able to control the Holy Spirit. He wanted a new magic trick.
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
“You and your money can go to hell.”
Peter was a passionate dude......
21 “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
22 “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
He was in a bad spot.....
24 But Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
Some non-biblical church writings suggest that Simon was weeping when he said this...
And what comes to mind is the rich young ruler that came to Jesus....They both wanted salvation but apart from submission......
A fair criticism of the Roman Catholic Church is that they used belief in God to control the people....But understand this, God calls us to submission to HIM not man.
Other writings suggest that Simon went to Rome and continued his trickery....That he was an arch heretic....An one legend has it that he even claimed that if her were to be buried alive he would come out of the grave in three days.....That he went in and never came back out......
US
US
Salvation required so much more than just an Intellectual belief in Jesus....
Those that are saved....are saved forever.......
You must not only believe, but confess Jesus as Lord. Complete surrender to HIM.
27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;
28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.
29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
30 “I and the Father are one.”
If you believe it.....You will live it....