Today's Reading:
Acts 8, 9
What amazes me about today's reading is how ready the believers of Acts 8 and 9 were to preach "the word wherever they went" (8:4, 12, 25, 30, 35, 40; 9:20, 28-29). The Spirit of God told Philip to go and he ran (8:30). The Lord spoke to Ananias and he went, even though he was somewhat fearful. The believers in Jerusalem were persecuted, but that did not keep them from what they believed God had called them to do: Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all. Saul was a new believer and yet we read he went "at once" into the synagogues to preach (9:20). These believers remind me of a brother I knew back in New York, Sal Manno. I worked with Sal in a factory for a number of years and he daily made it a point to tell almost everyone he worked with about his Lord. Not only that, he'd invite them all to his church too. Sal was always ready, eager and thankful that he could share the true meaning of his life with others. May the examples of the early believers in Acts and brothers like Sal Manno challenge us to be so bold and ready to Preach Good News.
PrayerPoint:
Ask God to unify our church.
ActionPoint:
Tell at least one person about Jesus Christ this week. Then invite him or her to church on Sunday!
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3 comments:
I have not so much a comment but a question. I have a hard time understanding God's reaction to Annanias and Saphira, especially in the context of the story of Simon the Sorcerer too. Why was God willing to extend mercy to Simon, and not to Annanias and Saphira? What was so bad about their sin that deserved such an extreme reaction? Any thoughts?
This passage reminds me how important it is to have your beliefs grounded in the Word. How many people believe false doctrine or have the wrong theology about salvation, about the cross, or about who Jesus Christ was simply because they do not read the Word?
Kinda opens my eyes to what Simon may have been thinking because he a) obviously had the wrong motives for asking for the 'ability' to administer God's work and b) was a new believer and needed a reality check from the apostles. Looking at it through those 'new life' eyes - not having the milk he needed to understand spiritual truths - as opposed to Annanias & Saphira who were believers in the church and who knew better and, as Michael put it, went entirely against that knowledge and lied to the Holy Spirit of God.
Great question and thoughtful, biblical input in the responses. Its great to see ministry happening among our leaders in a 21st century way. Ancient and new all at the same time. Thanks for using the technology to grow.
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