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Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17)
Happy Tuesday, dear Friend! I hope this finds you and yours well as it leaves us blessed! Thanks be to God! It is a bit foggy here in Seguin this morning and I pray for a safe day for you as you go and come.
The invitation to all the people from John the Baptist was a simple one. He said that the Kingdom of God was at hand and people needed to repent. That struck a cord with many. Remember yesterday we talked about how Jesus identified with us, and John's message did as well. Many a time someone will say something and we will say, "Yes, I was thinking that too," or "I did see it that way as well." But more importantly our heart will say, "You need to get rid of all the sin in here!" And that's what the people sought. They came to the Jordan River and were washed of their sins. When the question of the Messiah came up, John said the One coming after him would baptize with fire. He was referring to the event in today's passage.
Philip the disciple, after the murder of Stephen, goes to preach Jesus in Samaria. And his message was the same as John and Jesus'; repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. They heard it, received it, and rejoiced in the new way of life they could now live. Yet, they felt they needed to send Peter and John to pray for them to be baptized in fire, which is the Holy Spirit as they had experienced it in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. As Peter and John prayed for them with the laying on of hands, they received the Holy Spirit. The verses that follow have Simon the magician having accepted Jesus and seeing the results of the disciples' prayer, wants the same power. It is Peter who rebukes him for wanting this power and says because of the intent of his heart he would not be a part of that ministry; to his credit, Simon asks Peter to pray for him so that none of the other things Peter said would happen to him would.
The Holy Spirit is ours. If you were baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, He is indwelling in you. His role is as comforter, who brings us peace in difficult times, even interceding for us when we can't pray - He interprets our sighs and moans to the Lord; Sustainer, we look to His strength to lift us when we are down, and He helps us in our walk when we are weak. He is also our help when it comes to needing power and strength, He provides it, as He guides us into all truth. He's with you now and our asking him for further interpretation of God's word comes through Him. Invite Him and use Him to bless your work for Jesus!
PRAYER: Come, Holy Spirit, into our lives. As the hymn says, "Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me; melt me, mold me, fill me, use me." So may it be. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be the provider of grace to someone today!
Eradio Valverde
