Pentecostarion

Pasha, St. John Chrysostom

Homily 18 on the Acts of the Apostles

 3.  Tuesday after Pasha

As for Saul, he made havoc of the Church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Acts 8:3

Great was his frenzy: that he was alone, that he even entered into houses: for indeed he was ready to give his life for the Law. Haling, it says, men and women:mark both the confidence, and the violence, and the frenzy. All that fell into his hands, he put to all manner of ill-treatment: for in consequence of the recent murder, he was become more daring.Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For uncleanspirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was acertain man, called Simon, which before time in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria. Acts 8:4-9

Observe another trial, this affair of Simon. Giving out, it says, that he was himself some great one.

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the Apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:10-15

And (yet) great signs had been done: how then had they not received the Spirit? They had received the Spirit, namely, of remission of sins: but the Spirit of miracles they had not received. For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (v. 16, 17.)

Recapitulation, Acts 8:4-6 Just as in the case of Moses by contrast (with the magicians) the miracles were evident miracles, so here also. There was magic, and so thesesigns were manifest.

(b) For unclean spirits came out of many that were possessed with them Acts 8:7; for this was a manifest miracle:— not as the magicians did: for the other (Simon), it is likely, bound (men with spells)—and many, it says, that were palsied and lame were healed. There was no deceit here: for it needed but that they should walk and work. And to him they all gave heed, saying, This (man) is the Power of God. Acts 8:10 And that was fulfilled which was spoken by Christ, There shall come false Christs and false Prophets in My name.— Matthew 24:24 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. Acts 8:11

(a) And yet there ought to have been not one demoniac there, seeing that of a long time he had been bewitching them with sorceries: but if there were many demoniacs, many palsied, these pretences were not truth. But Philip here by his word also won them over, discoursing concerning the kingdom of Christ. Acts 8:12 And Simon, it says, being baptized, continued with Philip Acts 8:13: not for faith's sake, but in order that he might become such (as he).

(b) But why did they not correct him instantly? They were content with his condemning himself. For this too belonged to their work of teaching (τἥς διδασκαλίας). But when he had not power to resist, he plays the hypocrite, just as did the magicians, who said, This is the finger of God. And indeed that he might not be driven away again, therefore he continued with Philip, and did not part from him. And when the Apostles which were at Jerusalem ,etc. (v. 13, 14.) See how many things are brought about by God's Providence through the death of Stephen!

(a) But they, it says, having come down, prayed for them that they might receive theHoly Ghost: for as yet He was fallen upon none of them. Then laid they their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:15-17 Do you see that it was not to be done in any ordinary manner, but it needed great power to give the Holy Ghost? For it is not all one, to obtain remission of sins, and to receive such a power.