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Text to read: Acts 8:14 When the emissaries in Yerushalayim heard that Shomron had received the Word of God, they sent them Kefa and Yochanan, 15 who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Ruach HaKodesh. 16 For until then he had not come upon any of them; they had only been immersed into the name of the Lord Yeshua. 17 Then, as Kefa and Yochanan placed their hands on them, they received the Ruach HaKodesh.
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Text to read: Acts 8:14-17Verse 14
[14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
And the apostles hearing that Samaria — The inhabitants of that country, had received the word of God - By faith, sent Peter and John - He that sends must be either superior, or at least equal, to him that is sent. It follows that the college of the apostles was equal if not superior to Peter.
Verse 15
[15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
The Holy Ghost — In his miraculous gifts? Or his sanctifying graces? Probably in both.---------------------
Daily Devotionals:
Monday, January 4, 2016
Text to read: Acts 8:14-17
- Read Acts 8:14-17.
- What do you know about Samaritans?
- Why does it matter?
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Text to read: Acts 8:14-17
- Why is it important that Peter and John go to Samaria?
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Text to read: Acts 8:14-17
- What barriers does this break?
- How will the church change?
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Text to read: Acts 8:14-17
- Think about how the Spirit is moving today?
- What is alike?
- Different?
Friday, January 8, 2016
Text to read: Acts 8:14-17
- What does “receiving the Holy Spirit” mean?
Saturday, January 9, 2015
Text to read: Acts 8:14-17
- How have you received the Spirit?
- What are its manifestations in you?
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Text to read: Acts 8:14-17
- Pray for those who are seeking to belong to a community.
Sermon Stories ""Receiving the Holy Spirit" for Sunday, 10 January 2016 with Text to read: Acts 8:14 When the emissaries in Yerushalayim heard that Shomron had received the Word of God, they sent them Kefa and Yochanan, 15 who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Ruach HaKodesh. 16 For until then he had not come upon any of them; they had only been immersed into the name of the Lord Yeshua. 17 Then, as Kefa and Yochanan placed their hands on them, they received the Ruach HaKodesh.
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After the birth of Jesus, the childhood of Jesus, the baptism of Jesus, the life and teachings of Jesus with miracles performed, the arrest and the crucifixion and the burial and the resurrection and the ascension of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the disciples heard the the Samaritans have received Jesus as the Messiah. Now, we know that the Jews did not really like the Samaritans because they were not fully Jewish heritage, but mixed with Gentile heritage yet they heard the Good News and sent Peter and John to investigate. This reminds me of the world today and how we hear of Jesus becoming Lord of other people's lifes and communities whether they are Black or LGBTQ or Immigrants or Refugees or even people who are Differently Abled. We come to realize that too often we do not want the people mentioned because they are different than we are or they worship differently or we cannot beleive that the same Holy Spirit is pured out on them to live Holy Live of Love, Peace, Mercy and acceptance. We too often need to be filled with God's Holy Spirit to remove a sin that comes to mind concerning rejection of God's people no matter who they are. It is amazing that too often the people who are differently abled get God's Message of Love, Peace, Mercy, and Acceptance better than we do. How do you react to the Samaritans of the 21st century? How do you see the Holy Spirit be poured out on all peoples? Will you be more acceoting of people who are different? We come to receive ore of God's Holy Spirit and Blessing as e take and eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood as we participate in the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eurcharist singing the Hymn "Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, With all Thy quickening powers" by Isaac Watts (1707)
1. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
with all thy quickening powers;
kindle a flame of sacred love
in these cold hearts of ours.
2. In vain we tune our formal songs;
in vain we strive to rise;
hosannas languish on our tongues,
and our devotion dies.
3. Dear Lord, and shall we ever live
at this poor dying rate?
Our love so faint, so cold to thee,
and thine to us so great!
4. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
with all thy quickening powers;
come, shed abroad a Savior's love,
and that shall kindle ours.
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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