Simon vs. Philip

Acts 8:9-13 

9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

Heaven and Earth

Have you ever wondered why God created heaven and earth?

Why not just heaven only since He loves to have believers live in heaven one day anyway?

Why is it that there’s a need to create this earth?

Why is it that there’s a huge distinction or great difference between eternal and temporary?

Why is it that there’s darkness and there is light?

Why is it that there’s white and black?

Would racism exist if everyone is white or just plain brown or black?

Why is it that there’s always some contrasting creation on every creature?

If you pause for little while and think of one reason behind those “why” questions, it appears like they are motivated by a grumbling spirit. In contrast, if a person appreciates one’s nature, those “why” questions are just trivial.

The uniqueness of every creature may appear to have contrasting features but it adds up to the various and diverse beauty of created things. The uniqueness of all created things is an exhibit and practical manifestation of the unlimited creativity of the Creator.

Could you point out two things that God has created equally the same in all features?

Why is it hard for many people to think that God has unlimited capability to create? Why is it that most people cannot imagine heaven with unlimited beauty and wonders?

A limited human mind suggests that heaven is boring and God is just sitting on His throne. They would base their idea of heaven from the limited description of heaven in the Bible like: city of gold and worshippers are doing nothing but standing singing praises for eternity.

Non-believers are dead in spirit and they are deprived of the picture of eternity. Even the eternally horrifying punishment in hell cannot be imagined by non-believers because they are dead spiritually.

Believers are alive spiritually therefore they are given the privilege to grasp ideas and pictures of spiritual things in heaven and hell. More revelations about the beauty of heaven are given as believers grow mature. Believers are also given revelations or visions of the miserable agony in hell to serve as warnings not to disobey or rebel against God.

The contrasting features of creatures are practical image of contrasting eternal destinations.

Our passage is an example with contrasting incidents in the life of Simon and Philip.

1. Simon the Sorcerer

9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 

Simon was known for his practice of sorcery or magic arts. Some people believe that magic arts come from the spirit world of darkness. Others have practiced fast hand movements that normal eyes can hardly follow through.

The purpose of magic or sorcery is to make something appears amazing. When the audiences are puzzled with magic, the magician or the sorcery would be considered to have some kind of extra power.

Indeed, Simon was considered to have the great power of God. There were those who followed him because he had amazed them for a long time.

There are also those who follow singers or players while others follow new trends.

Wonderful or amazing things catch attention and people would like to try or have it.

iPhone

The makers of iPhone have utilized the craziness of people to promote their product. Each time there is a newly released iPhone, many people, even those who have limited budget would do everything just to acquire the newly released gadget. There are those who would sleep over or camp in front of any participating stores just to be sure that they would be the first to buy the latest gadget.

Someone even used pepper spray just to gain advantage over other buyers. Still, there are those who would push, run over others or quarrel for an item.

Why would people sacrifice just to be the first one to have a newly released phone?

The pride of showing off or boasting of what one has bought motivates a person.

Simon, the sorcerer loved to amaze those who followed him with his magic arts. In some ways, our human nature wants to display what we can do that others cannot do. Cooks aspire to be the best cook, singers strive for best selling album, actors and actresses want to win the award, players covet the championship trophy… In short, the human selfish nature wants to promote the self, the ego.

Simon, the sorcerer was a contrasting personality to that of a believer. Believers, like Philip, do not promote themselves but to magnify the Lord.

2. Philip the Evangelist

12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

One of the more active leaders in the first church was Philip the evangelist.

Philip went to a city in Samaria proclaiming the good news and did many miracles there. Men and women, including Simon the sorcerer, [they] believed and were baptized. Simon [himself] was amazed at the miracles and great signs in the life of Philip.

When the Holy Spirit is at work in one’s life, there are amazing things to be experienced. Proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God is the most obvious manifestation of being filled with the Holy Spirit. To have the courage to tell others about the Lord Jesus and what He did on the cross without promoting one’s self is an indication that the Holy Spirit is active in one’s life.

Desire and pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Not just amazing things but there’s also peace and joy to be experienced when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit even if there’s more snow to come, you will have joy and peace in your heart.

Do you know that not a few people desire and love to have more snow?

Snow Clearing Companies

Snow clearing is a multi-million business in Winnipeg and all over Canada. More snow means more money for Snow Clearing Companies.

“No snow” means “no work” for the drivers of Snow Clearing Companies. More snow means more physical exercise also for those who love to shovel snow.

Many Canadian hate snow because it creates a lot of problem: Problem in driving, walking, froze bites, frozen water pipes, car accidents and many more…

Here in Canada or anywhere else, we can never find a problem-free kind of life. We chose to stay here because problems in Canada are easier to deal with.

Which one is easier to deal with: 6 months of yearly snow or persecution?

The yearly coming of snow should be easier to deal with because you know when it comes and know how to protect yourself . Whereas, persecution comes in many different facets or difficult harassment.

The fist century church was persecuted but they continued to proclaim the good news. They were scattered everywhere but wherever they went to they preach the gospel.

Desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit…

Whatever situation you may have or whatever problem you may encounter [comes winter or whatever season], joy and peace from the Holy Spirit will be experienced.

Your attitude about snow reveals if you have joy and peace from the Holy Spirit.

><((‘> … >?<(((‘> tmec\2021 <‘)))>< … <‘))><

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published.