Baptism of our Lord (C) – Acts 8:14-17
Focus: The Gift of the Holy Spirit in Baptism
word of life
“Then Peter
and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:17 NRSV)
Read Acts 8:14 -17
The book in the Bible called
The Acts of the Apostles is true to its name.
This book is full of compelling stories of the early church struggling
to discover its mission without the physical presence of Jesus. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the apostles provide
leadership and guidance to the early church.
Chapter 8 begins with Saul’s
approval of the killing of Stephen and the persecution of Christians, including
throwing both men and women into prison.
Despite the persecution, followers of Jesus continue to preach, heal,
baptize, and encourage the early church to continue to grow.
Philip is one of many who
preaches the good news of Jesus Christ, taking the gospel message to
Samaria. For centuries, there has been
tension and division among the Jews from the north (Samaria) and the south
(Judah). Jews from the north were considered
by many to be religiously impure and inferior.
When Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, he chose a Samaritan
as one perceived to be the least likely to stop and help the wounded traveler. No one would expect a Samaritan to be
compassionate and helpful.
1.
What else do you know about Samaritans?
2.
Is the good news of Jesus
intended to be proclaimed to the Samaritans? Explain your answer.
The crowds in Samaria respond
positively to the signs performed by Phillip. They not only believe Philip, but
they want to be baptized by him. Even a well-known
magician named Simon is amazed at Philip and is baptized, following Philip as
his constant companion.
All seems to be going well with
Philip’s work in Samaria, except there is one major problem. The Holy Spirit has not come to the
newly-converted in their baptism. (See Acts
8:16.)
3.
Have you ever experienced the
Holy Spirit not coming as expected? If
so, what was the situation?
4.
How might you explain the
Holy Spirit not coming to the Samarians in baptism?
5.
Can the Holy Spirit come to
a person who doesn’t desire the Spirit?
In response to the news of
the Samaritans accepting the word of God, the apostles in Jerusalem send Peter
and John to be with them and to pray for the Holy Spirit. “Then Peter and John laid their hands on
them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
(Acts 8:17 NRSV)
It is unclear as to the
reasons why the Holy Spirit does not come to the newly baptized. It might be a reflection of the popularity of
magic and the strength of other belief systems at work in Samaria. Perhaps it is a reflection of Philip’s
limited understanding about baptism or the protocol of using the apostles. It is clear, as the new mission field is
begun in Samaria, the apostles are mobilized and effective. This story is a
reminder of the tremendous, undeserved gift of the Holy Spirit given in baptism—not
to be taken for granted.
Word among us
For a long time, Simon has amazed people with his
magic. (Acts 8:9-13) But Simon himself becomes amazed by Philip and his
ministry in Samaria. Thus, when Peter and John come to town in order to pray
and baptize with the Holy Spirit, Simon knows he is witnessing something
extraordinary. As a popular magician,
Simon recognizes power when he sees it. (Read
Acts 8:18-25)
Simon offers to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit
from Peter and John. (Acts 8:18) He envisions all that could be done when the
Holy Spirit’s power is mixed with his own magic tricks. But Peter will have
nothing to do with this proposal and confronts Simon directly. (See Acts 8:20-23.) Peter is clear: the Holy Spirit is not for sale.
1.
Describe how you envision Simon the magician.
2.
Who are modern-day magicians?
3.
How do people today try to control or manipulate the
Holy Spirit?
In some ways, Simon the magician is similar to Simon, the
disciple of Jesus who was re-named Peter.
Both men understood the gospel message, but not totally. Both had difficulty applying the teachings of
Jesus into daily life. Both were
enthusiastic and passionate, but both also had a tendency to put their foot in
their mouths. Both needed others for
clarity and guidance.
4.
Can you relate to Simon the magician and Simon Peter?
How so?
5.
When in your life have you needed another Christian to
clarify and guide?
If Peter is empathetic to Simon’s misunderstanding, he
does not show it. Instead, Peter reprimands him sternly for trying to
manipulate the Holy Spirit. Peter offers
Simon tough love, but also teaches him about repentance, prayer, and
forgiveness. Simon is moved by Peter’s words and responds with fear, “Pray for
me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.” (Acts.8:24 NRSV)
faith practice
in
daily life
Live among God’s faithful people
It is unclear why the Holy Spirit does not come to those
whom Philip baptized, but does come when Peter and John laid hands upon the
people of Samaria. It can be a bit
unsettling for us to hear this story, but we can be thankful for the “Peters
and Johns” who go to where they are sent.
If nothing else, this passage reminds us of the gift
of the Holy Spirit given in baptism. It is not a gift to be assumed or
neglected. As we celebrate the Baptism
of our Lord, let us also recognize and acknowledge the gift of the Holy Spirit
given to us in our own baptism.
6.
What does it mean for you to have received the gift of
Holy Spirit in your baptism?
7.
What questions do you have about baptism?
8.
Who are the “Peters and Johns” in your community to
consult?
9.
How might we thank and support those apostles among us
who are still being sent to proclaim the gospel?
Prayer
Open us to accept your word,
to receive the gift of Baptism, to grow in our faith, and to pray with others
who are seeking to be baptized. Amen
last word
Pause to ponder the significance of your baptism.|
Copyright © 2012 Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America
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