Peter rebukes simon the sorcerer4/11/2023 Barnabas and Saul labored in Antioch (in Syria), where Church members were first called Christians. Acts 11Īt Jerusalem, Peter recounted his vision to Jewish members of the Church. Peter taught Cornelius and his household about Jesus Christ they experienced the power of the Holy Ghost and were baptized. At Joppa, Peter received a revelation instructing him to accept Gentiles into the Church. Acts 10Īt Caesarea, an angel instructed Cornelius to send for Peter. Peter healed Aeneas and raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead. Saul preached of Christ and fled when Jews in Damascus sought to kill him. At the Lord’s direction, Ananias sought out Saul, restored his eyesight, and baptized him. Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus. The Lord directed Philip to Gaza, where he baptized a man from Ethiopia. Peter rebuked Simon, a sorcerer, who sought to purchase the priesthood. Peter and John gave the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. In Samaria, Philip preached, baptized, and performed many miracles. Despite growing opposition, Church leaders pressed forward to take the gospel “unto the uttermost part of the earth” ( Acts 1:8). The Lord also gave Peter, as leader of the Church, a vision directing him to accept Gentiles into the Church (see Acts 10–11). Acts 9 recounts the conversion of Saul, who would become an Apostle and a powerful missionary to the Gentiles. In Acts 8 we read about Philip, one of the seven leaders called to assist the Twelve (see Acts 6:5), who taught and baptized many Samaritans and a man from Ethiopia (see Acts 8:5–7, 12, 26–40). Up to this point, the book of Acts recounts the Church’s growth among Jews in Jerusalem and Judea. Acts 8–12 describes the beginning of this worldwide expansion of the early Christian Church. He also foretold that the Apostles’ ministry would begin in Jerusalem, spread throughout Judea and Samaria, and finally go “unto the uttermost part of the earth” ( Acts 1:8). Elymas saw darkness, disbelieved, and followed the first person willing to lead him.God puts before us all that we need to seek him.After His Resurrection, Jesus Christ commanded His Apostles to teach and baptize people in every nation (see Matthew 28:19–20 Mark 16:15–16). Sergius Paulus saw the Light, believed and followed Jesus. There couldn’t have been two more opposite reactions to the Gospel and the miraculous event that confirmed its veracity. Whatever may have been Elymas’ modus operandi, he was just about to experience the direct operation of the Holy Spirit. But what easier way to deceive Sergius Paulus than to pass Paul and Barnabas off as low-grade illusionists. Even to the most belligerent opponent of the gospel we would rather stay silent than rebuke them like this.Luke described Sergius Paulus as an intelligent man. With his eyes locked on him Paul delivered a rebuke that was anything but pleasant: “You son of the devil! You are an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of evil tricks and lies, always trying to change the Lord’s truths into lies” (Acts 13:10-NCV).Most of us would rather cut off our tongues than speak such things. Paul had had enough and being filled with the Holy Spirit, confronted Elymas. While the gospel message was convicting the heart of Sergius Paulus, Elymas was busy contradicting its messengers. On their arrival in the town of Paphos, Elymas did his best to thwart the apostle Paul’s evangelistic efforts to win the Proconsul, Sergius Paulus, to Christ. Paul and Barnabas had come to the Island of Cyprus at the beginning of the First Missionary Journey (Acts 13:4-12). Peter severely rebuked him for offering money for the ability to pass on the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18). Simon the sorcerer was the first to plunge himself into infamy. As far as magicians in the Bible go, Elymas isn’t the first name that comes to mind.
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