Acts 8-9

In Matt 16:19 Jesus said to Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Acts is the fulfillment of Matt 16:19. God uses Peter to open the door of the gospel first in Jerusalem (Acts 2), then in Samaria (Acts 8) and finally to the Gentiles (Acts 10-11). Acts 8 is a monumental chapter in church history because this is the 1st time after the Pentecost the gospel is spread to Samaria. The delay of the reception of the Holy Spirit in 8:15-16 allows the apostles to verify and to demonstrate those Samarian are true Christians just like the Jewish Christians. This is also the reason why the reception of the Holy Spirit appears only in Acts 2, 8 and 10.

My sharing: When Philip followed the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he led people to Christ. Same thing happened to Ananias (9:11-17). God’s guidance may sometime cause us to walk outside of our comfort zone. When we obey, we enjoy the harvest with the Lord but if we disobey, God may use persecution (8:1) to force us to follow His plan.

Comments

Audrey said…
Ananias is a disciple of God v.10. However, when God told him to receive Saul v.11-12 Ananias is reluctant to do that v.13. Of course, he has a legitimate reason to refuse because Saul is famous of persecuting the saints v.13. Do you think God do not know that? Why does God still want Ananias to do that? We all knows that from v.1-9 that Saul has changed but Ananias does not know. He thought he knows better than God. When God gives him the order he wants to appeal base on his own information. Are we like Ananias? We think God do not as well as we do. We think we have a good reason to appeal. Think twice next time when you appeal to God.
May 1, 2007 at 7:13:00 AM CST
Post a Comment