“Chummin’ for saints until the nets are full” Matthew
4:19
February 2013
Phish Bowl
friends and family,
It looks like we
made it two months into 2013 and the world has still not ended. This means that there is still time to reach
others with the love of our Lord Jesus the Christ!I wonder have you been urged in any way to reach out to someone you would normally not talk to after reading about Philip last month and his example of dealing with whatever personal issue that he had to overcome to go to Samaria for our Lord? I know that I look at situations differently because of his example. I “try” not to avoid some people and when looking around the chow hall for that “right seat”, I now see opportunities to reach others for Christ.
Part of being a Christian is overcoming our own ideas and putting on the mind of Christ. Putting on the mind of Christ is why we study the Bible, sitting with other Christians to see what the Holy Spirit has revealed to them. Then, we go back to the Bible and see if it lines up with Christ. If we don’t do this, our Christian walk will look anything but Christian and we won’t know when someone comes to us if he is teaching the truth or if he is teaching things for self-promotion.
Let us read about
one of those times. We’ve moving on to the
second of three parts of Philip’s journey which is recorded in the Bible; it is
a big part.
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who
previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria,
claiming that he was someone great, 10 to
whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is
the great power of God.” 11 And
they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long
time. 12 But
when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of
God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then
Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip,
and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who,
when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy
Spirit. 16 For
as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name
of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then
they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the
apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying,
“Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy
Spirit.”20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perishes with you,
because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You
have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in
the sight of God. 22 Repent
therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your
heart may be forgiven you. 23 For
I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” 24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for
me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.” 25 So when they had testified and preached the word of
the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of
the Samaritans.
There are a few things in my study that
have gotten me thinking. We will come to
them as we study God’s Word line by line.
Last month Philip “crossed over the tracks to the other side”, by Jewish
thinking. Philip will teach us another
important lesson about the Christian life this month. First he showed us that
we need to drop all hang ups when we become a follower of Christ. Secondly, to know the difference between whom
your close friends are. Do you hang with
Simons or do you fellowship with Peters and Johns?
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who
previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria,
claiming that he was someone great, 10 to
whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is
the great power of God.” 11 And
they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long
time.
The thing that first pops out at me is
that Simon is a self-boaster. As a follower of Christ, Paul has told us that if
we boast, to boast in Christ alone. In the following verse, that is exactly the
act which Philip shows to us. Why was
Simon a self-boaster; so that all people would give him the attention which he desired? Do you know anyone around you who is always
telling you about what they know to make themselves seem more knowledgeable
than you, or will point out how they do this or that, making themselves out to
be a better Christian? Self-check: am I
that person?
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
Philip was different; we know that he
was a man full of the Spirit (Acts 6:5) and a compassionate man since he chose
to minister to the Samaritans, and that the message concerning the Kingdom and
Christ resulted in “many men and women being baptized”. Don’t overlook this! Simon believed and was baptized! When we read about this, it takes 3 minutes
or so; but Philip spent months loving on the Samaritans and Simon, and the
result was saved men and women! Do you
think that God’s work is always done in a night? Sometimes it is, but most often we need to
invest a lot of time and love to witness the growth of a seed. The Lord tells us about seeds and we need not
overlook the fact that Simon seemed to be more focused on the miracles and
signs and what Philip was doing, than learning about Jesus.
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
I have read a lot about why Peter and
John came to help their old friend Philip.
Who is this Philip? In the
research that I have done, he is called “Philip the Deacon” or “Philip the
Evangelist”. He is not to be confused
with Philip the Apostle. By this time,
church history records that there was a difference already being made. Justin Martyr and Tertullian (around 150
A.D.) record this information. In this
passage it is Philip the Apostle who is being referred to. (See Acts 6:5). So it seems that with this new movement of the
Holy Spirit by someone who is not an Apostle.
This is a big change from the Jewish system that the Pharisees preached
and with which the apostles had grown up with.
God was now working through common people. Remember that at this time of the early
Church, there was still debate going on whether the non-Jews, “gentiles” and
half-Jews, “Samaritans” could be saved and receive the Holy Spirit.
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
When Peter and John saw the Lord working in the Samaritans, they were convinced that the Holy Spirit was for all who believed. Why then did Peter and John have to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit when we are taught that the moment we believe in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is deposited in us to live. I already have my beliefs, but I would like to cover two counter-points just to be fair.
1. Catholicism teaches that the Sacrament of Confirmation is separate from Baptism.
2. Charismatics have used it to justify the Doctrine of Baptism in the Spirit as a second work of grace.
3. (Mine) The likely reason for this delay was to keep the Samaritan Church united with the Jewish church. This event has been called the “Samaritan Pentecost” as it parallels the Pentecost presented in Acts 2.
This was a big moment in Christianity
because this was the first time that Christianity was not and add-on to the
Jewish faith. At Pentecost, the Holy
Spirit was given to the Jewish people.
Now the Holy Spirit was given to “half-Jewish” people and when we get to
Chapter 10, all will be declared clean and the Holy Spirit will be given to
Gentiles.
Peter, who denied Christ three times,
was now going to be the voice to usher in the new ministry of the Holy Spirit
three times.
1. Jewish Pentecost (Chapter 2)2. Samaritan Pentecost (Chapter 8)
3. Gentile Pentecost (Chapter 10).
This will be the fulfillment of Acts 1:4-8.
God the Father, Jesus the Son and the
Holy Spirit are now and forever, for all who believe, no longer just for the
Jews. This is the most important
thing. The biggest change in God’s
relationship to mankind was the revelation of the work of the Holy Spirit at
this time. Rather than being a temporary
visitor to us, the Spirit becomes a permanent resident (PTL), and this was, and
still is, to go to the end of the earth.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perishes with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”
Side note: I have a big problem with people who use the
church to become rich and tell me it’s God’s will. I don’t see in the apostles’ lifestyle that
they were wealthy. We are called to help
others, not help ourselves.
Simon did not understand this concept and he went to Peter and John and asked to buy the ability to bestow the Holy Spirit on people. Why; for selfish reasons; to have power, to make money, or to gain fame? God doesn’t give us abilities to enhance our own lives. He grants us gifts so that we may bring glory to Him by the building up of others. When you find yourself wishing or wanting the limelight, check your motives. Do look to see what Christianity can offer you. Spend your time serving God and others with the gifts you were given.
Peter and John eagerly shared Christ
wherever they went. What a change! Acts 8:14 seems to tell us that Peter and
John made a non-stop flight straight from Jerusalem to Samaria and now after
this, these two will never see things the same.
John will not go back to Jerusalem but instead end up pastoring in
Ephesus and Peter also ends up all over the place throughout Acts. Next month,
we will see Philip going to another unlikely person. These men did not see evangelism as an event
for an appointed time, but more of a way of life. Jesus was (still is) life! Convinced of the
Resurrection, change by relationship with Jesus and filled with the Holy
Spirit, they looked for the chance to talk about Jesus to ANYONE, not just a few chosen ones of some special club or group.
Do we think in these terms and do we
act this way? If not, what does that say
about us? Just a thought.
I am doing well and loving what Jesus is doing with me and around me. Since moving back to Cell house 7, I have little downtime which is good. I also learned that I’m more of a big city boy. Little pods are good for a time of rest, but living with 249 other men allows me to grown in action for Christ.
Church, the reason for Phish Bowl
Ministries is to encourage everyone to love the people in our own Phish Bowl
with the message of Christ’s love for them, to meet their needs, to show them a
life changing relationship with Jesus through the Word and your walk. This
is done by studying God’s word verse by verse, prayer, and fellowship. My fellows Saints, I pray for you and love
you. Remember that it is a Spirit-filled
life journey to understand God. There is
soul healing in God’s loving Word and in the Church of the Messiah’s
Misfits. Remember my chains as I
remember yours. Watch! Hold fast in the faith. Be brave and be strong to the end. Let all you do, be done in love.
Semper fidelis! Love your brother, Timothy. I Corinthians 16:13-14
Phish Bowl Ministries is an outreach of
Calvary Chapel Loveland, 276 E. 29th
St., Loveland, CO 80538
No comments:
Post a Comment