THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 33

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Day 33:  Philip and Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8: 1-24)

The death of his beloved friend, Stephen, clouded Philip’s thoughts.  How he mourned this dear man.  Philip had come to know Stephen as they took meals every day to the widows, taking care of their sisters who were alone.  “Stephen had such a pure heart.  How could they stone him?” Philip lamented in his troubled mind.  This one thing he was sure of—these evil men would never be able to stop the spread of the gospel.  Stephen’s death served only to make Philip and the other followers even more determined to carry out their individual calls to ministry.  The Voice of the Spirit even seemed to be speaking more loudly and clearly.

Hearing that Saul, one of the men who had been present at Stephen’s stoning, was now ravaging the church, Philip was compelled by God to leave and go to Samaria and preach the gospel of salvation.   Ministering in the Spirit and by His power, many Samaritans believed and were baptized.  One such man was Simon, a former magician who had made great claims about himself in the past.  He believed and was baptized when he realized that people were no longer amazed at his magic.  How he longed to do the powerful things that Philip was doing, so that the people would be amazed with him again.

When the disciples came from Jerusalem to see what was happening in Samaria, they laid hands on all the new converts, and they received the Holy Spirit.  When Simon saw this great sign, he came forward seeking what the disciples had.  But Simon’s heart was not right with God.  It was clearly focused on the wrong things.  He did not ask for the Holy Spirit to come to him because he needed the Holy Spirit and desired Him.  Instead, his heart was “Simon-centered.”  He offered to pay the disciples money if they would give him the gift that they had.  Simon was seeking the power of laying his hands on people so that they would receive the Holy Spirit.  He was not seeking the Spirit Himself.  Simon had believed the gospel message and had been baptized, but his heart had not been resurrected.   He was still in bondage to sin and pride.

Do you desire gifts you have not been given because they are more visible to others and seem more important?  Are you jealous of those who have what you want?  God knows every intention of every heart.  What does He see in yours?

THE RESURRECTED LIFE -- Day 32

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Day 32:  Stephen, Full of Faith (Acts 6-7)

The ministry of the early church was increasing.  The original disciples were dedicating themselves to prayer and the study and teaching of the Word.   There arose a need for men to take food to some neglected widows, so the original disciples charged the other followers of Christ to choose seven dedicated men for this ministry task.

Stephen, being found to be full of faith, was chosen as part of this group of seven.   A good reputation and being full of the Spirit and wisdom were the top requirements for this ministry.  Now in Stephen’s case, the power of the Spirit was quite evident because he had been performing many great miracles and signs among the people he came in contact with.  But as is often the case, jealous men began to rise up against Stephen and tell lies about him, saying that he had spoken blasphemies against Moses and God.  So vicious were the lies that the men brought him and his case before the Council.

With power and great wisdom, and even greater diplomacy, Stephen stood before the Council and told them, in elaborate detail, the story of God and His people, Israel.  He spoke clearly of Israel’s continued disobedience to God’s commands.  Then he compared the Council and the accusers to their disobedient forefathers, reminding them how they themselves had not kept and obeyed the Word.

Incensed by Stephen’s accusations (that were true), these men cried out in anger.  Covering their ears so that they would have to listen to no more, they chased Stephen out of the city, and then stoned him to death.  The conviction of the Spirit in their thoughts and in their hearts was completely ignored by the men who would have rather silenced the truth instead of being transformed by it.  On the other hand, Stephen was a transformed man, with Jesus’ resurrection in his soul, who was willing to put his life in jeopardy for the truth.  He boldly spoke out what he knew would not be received, but was truth nonetheless.

Have you allowed your heart to be resurrected in truth?  Are you more like the men who refused to listen to the truth about their hearts and true change?  Can others see the Spirit’s power and wisdom at work in you?