Saturday 09 July 2022

Psalm 3:1-6

Background

The theme this week is 'Apostolic Witness' and we have been following the dramatic story of Stephen. After Stephen was stoned to death, Philip, another of those appointed in Acts 6:5-6 to help the apostles, went to Samaria to preach the gospel (Acts 8:5).

The Samaritans and the Jews had a long history of antagonism, but Jesus had started to break down these barriers. He spent time talking to a Samaritan women at the well (John 4:1-42) and put a Samaritan at the very centre of his parable about being a good neighbour (Luke 10:30-37).  Philip found the people in Samaria very receptive to the gospel and baptised many (Acts 8:12).  But although they had been baptised with water, they had not received the Holy Spirit. When the apostles find out that the people in Samaria had received the word of God, Peter and John went sent to Samaria so they might bring the Holy Spirit to the people. It would appear that the Holy Spirit waited for the apostles’ approval of Samaritans following Jesus before filling them. In this passage we can see the Early Church beginning to expand beyond its Jewish beginnings and we are reminded of the importance of the Holy Spirit in our faith and ministry. Today in the rite of confirmation hands are laid upon people who were previously baptised with water with a prayer for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit, making their Christian initiation complete.

To Ponder:

• How do we remain open to the Holy Spirit?
• If you have been confirmed, what do you remember of the occasion?
• What role does the Holy Spirit play in your faith, witness and evangelism?
• How can we encourage ourselves to continue to be Spirit-led in worship and mission?

Prayer

Holy Spirit, be present in our witness as we live out our discipleship in worship and mission. Guide us in the ways in which we should go and protect us from the things we fear. These prayers we ask in your Holy Trinity name. Amen.