This post by christinecoltman was originally published at GRACE PLACE
Acts 8:1-25
This month’s study covers the spread of the gospel following Stephen’s death. We will see the different heart-responses of those who hear the good news of the salvation of Jesus for the first time. There is a challenge in here for us to invite the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts into the likeness of Christ, rooting out sin, so that we can be effective in continuing that great commission set by Jesus to spread the gospel to ‘the ends of the earth’.
Read Acts 8:1-8
Acts 8 begins with the scattering of believers, as the persecution following Stephen’s death ramps up. Wherever these Christ-followers went, they took the saving gospel of Jesus Christ with them.
1. Compare Acts 8:1,4-5 and Acts 1:8. How are the believers already fulfilling the commission Jesus gave? Where do we fit within this instruction Jesus gives his followers?
After fleeing Jerusalem, Philip proclaimed Christ in Samaria. This is significant!
2. Read Luke 9:51-56 and John 4:5-9. How does seeing the attitude of the apostles toward Samaritans in these passages help us understand the significance of what we read in Acts 8:5-8? How does this challenge your heart about sharing Jesus with others?
The Samaritans receive the salvation offered to them in Jesus with joyful hearts (v8). Now we are introduced to a man called Simon, a highly influential magician living in Samaria.
Read Acts 8:9-25.
3. Looking at Acts 8:5-6 and 9-13, what are some key differences between Simon and Philip? Consider the words and concepts used to describe them, and how the crowd react to them.
Simon appears to believe and is baptised (v13). He is amazed when he sees the Holy Spirit being received by the Samaritans (v17); clearly there was something different about them, and this power was more powerful than his own sorcery otherwise he would not have sought it for himself.
4. Simon’s request to buy the Holy Spirit brought a sharp rebuke from Peter (v20-23). According to Peter, what was wrong with Simon’s attitude and his offer, and ultimately his view of God?
5. What did Peter call Simon to do to get right with God?
Luke leaves us ‘hanging’ in our understanding of Simon’s response to Peter; it is not clear if his request for prayer is the start of genuine repentance or another self-interested attempt to bargain with God. However, the offer of salvation through repentance and faith, and the transforming of the Holy Spirit remained open to him, as it does to us.
Take some time to reflect on your heart.
- Identify the areas in your life where you are resisting the work of the Holy Spirit; it may be callousness to a particular sin, or where you may be trying to bargain with God, or an area you know you need to repent of.
- Share with your buddy, and then pray together, inviting the Holy Spirit to transform you into the likeness of Jesus.
- Thank our Father for his love and forgiveness, and that he is not finished with us yet!
- Close by reading Philippians 1:6 together.