Acts 8

Simon the Magician is rebuked. I wonder why. On the surface it seems innocent. But the commentator says he wants the power to confer the Holy Spirit for personal gain. That is reasonable since that is how he lived before he accepted Jesus. This is certainly a good explanation of why he was rebuked so strongly. Yet Jesus told his disciples not to rebuke those healing in his name. They too were using the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said those who use his name for good are not likely to turn and speak ill of him. Could it be that the apostles are jealous of their power? I wonder. In a similar situation Jesus did not seem jealous of his power being used in an "unauthorized" manner.

Then next we have the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. As here we have two Simons, so here we have two Philips. My commentator identifies this as the Philip who was appointed to wait on tables, along with Stephen, and not Philip the apostle.

So it Acts 7 and 8 we have stories of the two servants (deacons) who took on the function of evangelists. They are preaching about Jesus enthusiastically. And because they are preaching, maybe, the Holy Spirit is manifesting himself in great power. We are told that about both Stephen and Philip. Along with their preaching come great signs and wonders. Neither of these men are apostles, they are servants (deacons) yet the Holy Spirit is with them too.

Philip baptizes the Ethiopian official after he accepts Christ as his savior. Did he receive the Holy Spirit? It does not really say. I think he did. Because an early church in Ethiopia traces itself back to this same official who went back and explained what he knew from Philip and the Old Testament to many people.

The stoning of Stephen began a persecution, seemingly led by Saul (later Paul). We are told that he invaded homes and put people in jail. I assume many who would not recant were killed. How else do you explain so many leaving Jerusalem? They were fleeing for their lives. To flee your home like this is to lose all you worked for, all your inheritance. It makes you a refugee. It would take serious risk to make someone do that.

The commentator says that this persecution greatly increased the spread of the gospel. Ironically persecution often works the opposite of what opponents intend. It causes people to leave their comfort zones and get out to tell the good news. When we are comfortable we often get lazy don't we?