Fake News and the Truth
(Read Acts 8)
For the next few weeks, we’re going to get back to our study of Luke’s Book of Acts of the Apostles. We will continue with personal testimonies in June.
This chapter begins with persecution following Stephen’s execution and ends with glorification. The early followers of Jesus in Judea and Samaria went from jubilation of the empty tomb to systematic attacks from Paul.
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Acts 8:1-3
Luke used a word to describe what Paul was doing to the early church that could be translated to an entire army destroying a city or an animal tearing its meat. Paul was viscous in his attacks, including women in his path. While it was unimaginably horrific for the Christians at the time, God’s plan for good was in motion. The day of Stephen’s execution, would mark the beginning of the outward spread of the good news of Jesus Christ to the whole world.
Luke described two Baptisms in this chapter. While the meaning of the Baptisms is the same, the heart reflected in them came from two different motivations. One Baptism came from insecurity or envy, or a 1st century version of FOMO and the other Baptism came from the joy and glory of the Holy Spirit’s work.
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
Acts 8:4-8
I continue to be amazed by this passage each time I read it. Nothing would quell the growing Christian spark. Despite deadly threats from the Roman ruling state and Paul’s relentless scourge, followers of Jesus scattered. But when you kick a small burning ember onto a dry piece of grass, it catches fire. This is what was happening here. Even though they had to disperse, there were was healing, preaching, and great overwhelming joy. Phillip’s mission in Judea and Samaria was amazingly fruitful. He was engaged in evangelism on a grand scale.
As Tim Keller puts it, “You try to kill the church — you try to persecute the church; you try to stamp it out — but if you use violence on the church, it only makes it grow. And the response is not growth in violence; the church doesn’t grow like that. It grows in love.”
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, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.”
Acts 8:9-10
Simon was viewed almost as a cult hero by many. He showed them glitter and magic. The kind of sorcery he was involved in was associated with dark, magical practices – and often mixed with the taking of drugs. We need to be watchful when we’re overwhelmed by ecstatic circumstances. Are we moved by the lights and glitz or the message? Simon was full of himself. He started recognizing the success of the the disciples and the response of the Jesus followers. The outpouring of excitement from public preaching and healings was a threat to his temporary fame. As Luke described, it was too much for him. He had to be a part of this.
While Luke tells us that, “Simon himself believed and was baptized.” So, it might be safe to assume that after that his heart was in the right place. But was it?
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:18-19
There is actually a word called “Simony” which is a word for buying or selling church positions or privileges. This backwards way of thinking is based on the premise that blessings follow money instead of money following blessings. As we see, Simon had it all wrong. He wanted to buy in. Simon’s comprehension of the Gospel seems more like fake news. Based on an agenda and part truths, he continued to act out of self-centered motivations. While I have no doubt that he was “amazed” at Philip’s powerful and convincing preaching, his soul was still serving the wrong master. False behaviors were still slipping in.
A lot of people who claim to be Christians, don’t behave like actual disciples. I’ve been guilty of this myself. How many times do you see people with giant crosses on their necks who don’t act like they’re representing the cross? I’m not judging them, the cross in jewelry is just a symbol. I just wonder about the message behind wearing it. Does it look good? Does it look cool? Or does this reflect the truth of my Savior?
After asking to give money for the ability to do his own healing, Peter laid into Simon. “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.” Simon is a warning to us. Are we caught up in frenzy or in truth?
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”).
Acts 8:26-27
Earlier in chapter 8, we saw Philip doing large scale evangelism. Now, we see him sharing the good news one-on-one. Gaza was an unappealing, mostly desolate, and desert-like area. Leaving a thriving ministry to go the middle of nowhere probably seemed foolish to Philip. But directed by God, it was wise and he obeyed.
Pastor Chuck Swindoll labeled Philip’s exchange with the Ethiopian eunuch, “The Philip Approach – the Christ-centered method.”
Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
Acts 8:30-34
Philip’s beautiful response was handled with kindness and tact. According to Swindoll, “He remained gracious, courteous, a good listener, and yet sensitive to the time he might speak of salvation.” There was no hesitation in Philip’s detailed explanation. His description of his faith in Jesus Christ was humble, open, and direct. It was about his savior, not religion. It was about truth.
As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 8:36-39
The chapter closes with the humble and faithful Baptism of the eunuch. I’ve personally experienced the overwhelming feeling of surrender in my Baptism. The water was warm and welcoming, it surrounded me. It covered me. As we go forward in our faith journey, we should enjoy the bright lights and emotional highs we experience for what they are. The brightest, boldest, coolest, most magical, is not always the real thing. The truth is the brightest, boldest, coolest, most magical real thing we will ever know.
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32
Key Applications:
- As followers of Christ, we will have targets on our backs. When facing pressure or even persecution, how do you respond? Rather than reacting with violence or anger, think about how Stephen and Philip responded. With grace and kindness, and God as their guide.
- No amount of good works or money can buy our rightness with God. Our good works shows our faith but it’s our faith that leads us to the cross. Next time you’re tempted to show-off your generosity, consider being gracious, not showy.
- Have you had the opportunity to respond with The Philip Approach? I have had the opportunity and have failed and succeeded. If I would have paused, prayed, and listened to the sincerity in the question(s), I probably would have sounded more like Philip than Simon. Be gentle. Be tactful. Be humble. Read Acts 8.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.