Outreach of the Church

Thesis: The fire of the Holy Spirit cannot be put out or bought out or exploited for personal gain; it is God’s powerful gift to His children to accomplish His purpose.

The Persecution, vv. 1-13

A. Exegesis

1. Persecutor, v. 1
2. Persecuted, v. 3
   • Reason–Saul enjoyed it.
   • Resolve–Strengthened the Christians.
   • Result–Scattered Christians: without the persecution, the early Christians would have been smug and complacent.
3. Proclamation, vv. 4-13
   • Person–Jesus, v. 5
   • People were converted, vv. 6, 12-13
   • Peace, v. 8, of Christ causes joy.

B. Illustration

All martyrs killed since AD 33 to 1990: 40,725,000

Countries with many martyrs and massive church growth today: 40

Countries with few or no martyrs, no church growth today: 30

For every martyr in history:

322 persons were evangelized

203 were converted

C. Application

1. In chapter 6 & 7 the church had grown in size and respect.
2. The church became self-serving.
3. God permitted the persecution to accomplish His mission.

The Prayer and the Promise, vv. 14-17

A. Exegesis

1. Sent, vv. 14-15, John and Peter sent to Samaria to endorse this ministry of the Samaritan mission.
2. Spirit, vv. 16-17
   • Realization, v. 16, the people had not yet received the Holy Spirit.
   • Reception, v. 17, people received the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands by Peter and John.
3. Speculations about the Reception of the Spirit
   • Normally the receipt of the Spirit was closely joined to baptism as part of the normative experience of conversion and commitment to Christ, 2:38.
     • Paul–healing, receipt of the Spirit and baptism closely joined together, 9:17-18.
     • Cornelius and fellow Gentiles received the Spirit first and then were immediately baptized, 10:44-48.
     • Romans 8:9: “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ,” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13.
   • A Second-working of Grace Doctrine?
     • Samaritans receive the Spirit after baptism and laying on of hands.
     • Disciples of John the Baptist in Ephesus: first baptized as John’s disciples; Paul preaches Jesus; he baptizes them, and then they received the Holy Spirit when Paul laid his hands on them, 19:5-6.
     • Sometimes the Spirit is given with laying on of hands, sometimes not. Sometimes the coming of the Spirit precedes baptism, sometimes the Spirit follows baptism. The Spirit “blows where it wills” (John 3:8); the Spirit cannot be tied down to any manipulative human scheme.
   • The Progressive Theological Development of the Church
     • Philip, a Gentile deacon, witnesses to the Samaritans.
     • Samaritans, under deep conviction, are baptized.
     • Peter and John come to give the stamp of approval of the mother church.
     • The Samaritans receive the Holy Spirit. Hereafter, the Holy Spirit is given on conversion, i.e., Cornelius’ conversion accompanied by the gift of the Holy Spirit.

B. Illustration

C. Application–Since the Samaritan Pentecost, each Christian convert receives the gift of the Holy Spirit in the same act of receiving Jesus as Lord.

The Problem, vv. 18-24

A. Exegesis

1. Desire, vv. 18-19, Simon wanted the Holy Spirit for personal gain. He offered money for the gift.
2. Denouncement, vv. 20-23
   • Peter showed Simon his wrong.
   • Money cannot buy the gift of the Holy Spirit.
   • Peter warns Simon to repent.
3. Damnation, v. 24, Simon asked for prayer, but did not repent.

B. Illustration–simony, e.g. indulgences

C. Application–Neither the Holy Spirit not God the Father can be manipulated by human schemes.

Conclusion

Simon’s temptation is still with us today. Many seek God’s power for personal benefit and spiritual pride. Any gift or talent God may give to us is for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Never should we use the power of God for selfish gain.

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