May 8, 2023 – Acts 8:2-40
In today’s reading, we have two different stories about receiving the Holy Spirit. These stories don’t appear together by accident even though they chronologically happen together. What I want you to consider in each is the following questions; How is the Holy Spirit perceived? How is the Holy Spirit received?
First, Philip finds himself in Samaria sharing the Good News. There is a man there named Simon who is known as a powerful sorcerer, not of God. Simon sees the people accepting the news about Christ and getting baptized and scripture says, he too “believed and was baptized.” (vs. 13) Then some of the disciples show up to lay their hands on these people to give them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Simon witnessed this and instead of asking for the Holy Spirit to be bestowed upon him, instead asks for the disciples’ “power” and even offers to pay for it. We can surmise that while Simon had heard the Good News, he didn’t yet see the Good News as a gift that sets us free but rather as something that would bring status, or perhaps even exploit. He is rebuked because of wanting the power for himself instead of humbly receiving it in faith.
Philip then is directed by the Lord to head south where he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch, a well-known treasurer for the queen. Philip shares the Good News with him and the eunuch immediately wants to receive the gift of baptism with an eagerness that suggests he recognizes the power of salvation in the water that would set him free! He was reading scripture before this which suggested he had a hunger for knowing about God, but he admitted he couldn’t understand it. The Good News, in this instance, was received humbly and personally and we can surmise that the Ethiopian eunuch wanted the power of the Holy Spirit to set him free, After which, he went on his way rejoicing, which would point others to God rather than to himself, which is the opposite of what Simon wanted.
Where do you find yourself today? How do you see the Holy Spirit? If we are honest, sometimes we want to use the Holy Spirit to excuse our selfish behavior. In that instance, we are no different than Simon. What we should pray for is for our eyes to be open to the refreshing freedom that comes from the Holy Spirit when we humbly receive it in faith. Then maybe we too would find ourselves rejoicing instead of trying to toot our own horn.
Questions for reflection:
- What have you learned about the Holy Spirit so far in Acts?
- How have you seen the Holy Spirit at work in your life?