Tuesday, April 27, 2010
By Dave Sonnenberg
It is hard to be criticized. It also is hard to correct someone as well. People are fragile and often don’t respond well to critique. Have you ever been there? Experienced that?
Although we don’t’ fully understand the characters in todays story, one thing is clear- the Christian leader, Peter, felt it was very important to correct Simon’s theology (Simon felt he could buy favor with God with money) and bring him to a better understanding- and quickly.
I think what we see here today is genuine Christian dialogue and a positive witness. Correction is offered. Care is extended. Challenge is provided. Request for help is noted. Course correction happens.
The one thing I appreciate is how the feedback Peter provided did not tear apart Simon. It built up the community and hopefully their relationship.
We steer away from conflict too often and often are afraid to give or receive feedback. The early church engaged in true conversation and often challenged the “other” to shape up and “be who God wants you to be.” Can we do the same in 2010?
Acts 8:9-25
9 Now a certain man named Simon had previously practised magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’ 11And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, ‘Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ 20But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! 21You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.’ 24Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.’
25 Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.
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