Acts 8:9-25 tell us of Simon the magician and how he went from being a somebody great to being a nobody when he was baptized and started believing and being with Philip. He was enamored with the power of God. He once proclaimed himself to be someone great and now he realizes that he is nothing without God.
Then Peter and John came to Samaria to bring the Holy Spirit. Because the believers had been baptized but had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Now I wonder how it is that they knew they had not received the Holy Spirit, and why is it that the apostles from Jerusalem had to send someone to lay hands on them so they might receive the Holy Spirit. This is one issue I have with the Lutheran service of baptism where we say that the baptized “has been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.” I don’t argue the Holy Spirit indwelling, it happens. I wonder about the whole timing thing. Does the Holy Spirit wait until one is baptized before entering? If this is true how did the thief on the cross come to an understanding of who Jesus was and ask for the right to be with Him? How do we then explain Martin Luther’s explanation of the 3rd article of the Apostle’s Creed, which says (my paraphrase) I can not by my own understanding come to believe in God/Jesus Christ except through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that moves us to understand Grace and move towards it, so when does the Holy Spirit come, at baptism, or when ever she feels like it? This however is a topic for another discussion, but does help us in this discussion…
the subtitle for this blog is How Much Does it Cost? You see Simon asked Peter and John when he saw what they were doing, laying on of hands and giving of the Holy Spirit, if he could have this power and he offered them money for this power. Now who of us that are involved in organized public ministry (meaning the church) have heard of someone using their money to get what they want? Never happens right? Wrong. We all know that people give their money and expect it to be used the way they want it to. And this my friends is what happens at a country club. If you want to be able to have say in how your money is used, then give it to a club where that money buys you membership. Do not give it to God for use in ministry and then think you can have complete control over what happens with it. Or do not give your money to God thinking it will get you something, like a better seat, or greater powers. The Holy Spirit gives gifts and to each as is apportioned by God. Your money does not effect this. God does not look on your financial situation, but He does know about it because He is the one that allowed you to be in the place you are. Money can not buy you powers from God or a better seat at the banquet.
Peter said to Simon, “Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.” I pray that wickedness will be removed from all of us, and we are forgiven. I pray that the Holy Spirit indwell in all of us and fill us with the power of God to show forth His mercy and grace to all.
What can we give? Or how much does it cost? It cost the life of Jesus and there is nothing you can give to obtain the mercy of God. But once you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, you will be moved to give everything freely…
aSacredRebel 