Atos 8

Atos 8

Henry reminded the churchmen of the need for integrity and purity among God’s leaders, Pope Gregory spoke these remarkable words to the synod: I, Gregory, bishop, servant of the servants of God, do hereby adjudge myself to be removed from the pontificate of the Holy Roman Church, because of the enormous error which by simoniacal impurity has crept into and vitiated my election. He asked, “Is it your pleasure that it be so?” The assembled clergymen answered unanimously: “Your pleasure is our pleasure; therefore so let it be.” Gregory descended from his throne, removed his pontifical robes, fell to his knees, begged forgiveness, and fled the country. But now another problem arose: None of the assembled bishops was unstained by simony. They had all bought their positions. After searching the land, an honest man named Suidger, bishop of Bamberg, was elected pope, but he lived less than a year. The next two popes also died quickly. Then Bruno was found, a good-looking, well-educated man of unblemished character and sincerity. Summoned to Rome, he arrived barefoot, dressed as a pilgrim and weeping. The people sang hymns of praise and consecrated him Pope Leo IX on February 12, 1049. He battled simony all his days, paving the way for the reforms later enacted under his associate and successor, Hildebrand (Pope Gregory VII). (On This Day) No Sale Read: Acts 8:9-25 Peter said to him,“Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!” —Acts 8:20 Police officers in St. Louis have had at least one easy arrest. It occurred at the back door of the police station when a drunk driver pulled his car right up to the booking window, thinking he was at Burger King. After attempting to place his order at what he thought was a drive-up window, the surprised driver was arrested by the booking officer and charged with drunk driving. A man named Simon also got the surprise of his life. According to Acts 8, he was a former sorcerer in Samaria before becoming a follower of Christ. His surprise came when he walked up to the apostles and offered them money. He wanted them to give him the power to lay hands on people and impart to them the Holy Spirit. The apostle Peter emphatically refused, and accused him of being under the influence of something worse than alcohol. Peter wasn’t overreacting. It’s dangerous to think that the power of the Holy Spirit is like a product that can be bought and sold. The Spirit’s work is a gift of God that is freely given on the basis of faith, and faith alone. He has given us His Spirit to accomplish His purposes, not ours. The Spirit cannot be bought or bargained for. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Your Spirit. Holy Spirit, all divine, Dwell within this heart of mine; Cast down every idol throne, Reign supreme and reign alone. —Reed We don’t need more of the Spirit; the Spirit needs more of us. Acts 8:21 "You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. KJV Acts 8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. NJB Acts 8:21 You have no share, no part, in this: God can see how your heart is warped. you have Joshua 22:25; Ezekiel 14:3; Rev 20:6; 22:19 for 2 Chr 25:2; Ps 36:1; 78:36,37; Hab 2:4; Mt 6:22-24; John 21:17; Hebrews 4:13; Rev 2:23 Acts 8 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SIMON'S CROOKED HEART You have no part or portion in this matter (logos) - No is the Greek ou which signifies absolute negation. What matter? Luke has just been referring to the receiving of the Spirit, so that is what Simon has absolutely no part or portion. And of course by implication no Spirit signifies no authentic new birth or regeneration (Ro 8:11+). In turn Simon has no part in the privileges belonging to God's children (in this life or the life to come!) Polhill adds that the word translated matter "is logos, a word used throughout Acts for the Gospel (cf. Acts 8:4+) (ED: AND logos IS TRANSLATED "MESSAGE" 10X IN NASB). Simon had not responded to the gospel; he had responded to greed. He lacked the contrition and inner conviction that accompany a true response to the gospel. Part (share) (3310)(meris) refers to (1) a portion of a whole that has been divided ("district" in Acts 16:12). (2) as in the present passage in Acts 8:21 to a share or an assigned portion (cf Lk 10:42, 2 Co 6:15 - "common") Paul uses this noun in his prayer for spiritual filling (Col 1:9+) for the saints at Colossae and the effects of filling joyously "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light." (Col 1:12+). Share (inheritance) (2819)(kleros from kláo = to break) was first a specially marked small object, pebble or a piece of wood used in casting lots as in Acts 1:17, 26. The object was thrown down in order to aid the making decisions a practice based on pagan views of chance (Greeks and Romans), or in the case of believers using the lot and interpreting the result as guided by God (see Acts 1:26+ in choosing Judas' replacement). Kleros also was used to refer to the allotted portion or inheritance , specifically one's possession or what is possessed (Acts 26:18, 20:32, Colossians 1:12-note) (SPEAKING OF PAUL TAKING THE GOSPEL TO THE GENTILES) To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance (kleros) among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ (Acts 26:18) Comment - Peter's use of kleros and that Simon has absolutely no inheritance strongly substantiates the fact that Peter is treating Simon as a non-believer! Simon had not been sanctified (set apart) by (genuine, saving) faith! “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance (kleros) among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32) For - Term of explanation. What is Luke explaining? In context he is explaining why Simon is a counterfeit, why he is not a genuine believer and thus why he has not share in the Spirit or spiritual life in Christ (or the Gospel). Your heart is not right before God - Peter is saying the "control center" of Simon's being is not "straight" in the eyes of God. Peter literally is saying to Simon "your heart is continually absolutely (ou) not straight," which we could paraphrase as "Simon your heart is continually crooked before God!" Alexander