Acts 8:1-8
I once had a very devout Bible reading technician that worked for me. Invariably the topic would turn to religion. On the subject of creation, I explained that while I know God created the world, the evidence is that the creation story is just that, a story. It contains truths that God wishes us to know but that the evidence God supplies in this world of ours suggests that evolution is correct. My technician's response was one of disbelief. The world was in fact created in 7 days. 'Isn't God great enough and powerful enough to do that?' Yes I said, God is that powerful but the evidence suggests otherwise. Then there was a very brief discussion about how the devil had supplied the evidence. Actually, end of discussion.
I recall that story for two reasons. One is the power of God. The other is the ignorance or failure to see by seemingly intelligent people.
This reading takes up right after yesterdays reading where Stephen was stoned. Saul (Paul) condones such action and this reading points to Saul going from house to house to find the Christians and throw them in jail. This is important to us because it points to the power of conversion by the Spirit. God chose this totally unexpected man to be one of Christianity's greatest believers and forces. To transform a man who condoned Stephens stoning and who horribly persecuted Christians into one of the Church's greatest leaders is amazing. The power of God, the power of love, the power of the Spirit is enormous. Beyond our comprehension.
Some people, when they get a glimpse of such power, use it to explain away their fears and questions. On the issue of creation, rather than use the brain God gave her, my technician crawled into a ball and ignored the evidence God has placed in front of her - in front of all of us. Yes, God could have created the world in seven days, but did he?? The evidence suggests not. Going back to another controversy, Does the sun revolve around the earth? Yes, God could make that happen in another reality but in our reality, the evidence shows that it is the earth that revolves around the sun.
There is discredited belief about something called reparative therapy. It would have us rely on the power of God to turn gay people straight. This is just so wrong on many levels. I have to say right off that yes, God could make such a transformation. God surely has that power. But to what end? The evidence suggests that homosexuality is normal. Surely not for the whole of society but it exists in nature and it exists in man and it is part of Gods design. It is only now that we are coming to know that gay people are really no different than anybody else. We love and seek committed love. We live our lives like everyone else. That is what the evidence suggests. Anything else is stereotypes and ignorance.
The power that God wields is a power of love and transformation. We can be transformed. We can change to be a better person, the person God wants us to be. We can get up every morning and start anew. We can overcome incredible, insurmountable odds to become new person, a beautiful, loving creative person when once we were broken. Or perhaps worse, we can transform our self from the darkness of the closet to light of being out and proud.
God's power is love and light. The power to transform. The light of intelligence and knowledge.
I recall that story for two reasons. One is the power of God. The other is the ignorance or failure to see by seemingly intelligent people.
This reading takes up right after yesterdays reading where Stephen was stoned. Saul (Paul) condones such action and this reading points to Saul going from house to house to find the Christians and throw them in jail. This is important to us because it points to the power of conversion by the Spirit. God chose this totally unexpected man to be one of Christianity's greatest believers and forces. To transform a man who condoned Stephens stoning and who horribly persecuted Christians into one of the Church's greatest leaders is amazing. The power of God, the power of love, the power of the Spirit is enormous. Beyond our comprehension.
Some people, when they get a glimpse of such power, use it to explain away their fears and questions. On the issue of creation, rather than use the brain God gave her, my technician crawled into a ball and ignored the evidence God has placed in front of her - in front of all of us. Yes, God could have created the world in seven days, but did he?? The evidence suggests not. Going back to another controversy, Does the sun revolve around the earth? Yes, God could make that happen in another reality but in our reality, the evidence shows that it is the earth that revolves around the sun.
There is discredited belief about something called reparative therapy. It would have us rely on the power of God to turn gay people straight. This is just so wrong on many levels. I have to say right off that yes, God could make such a transformation. God surely has that power. But to what end? The evidence suggests that homosexuality is normal. Surely not for the whole of society but it exists in nature and it exists in man and it is part of Gods design. It is only now that we are coming to know that gay people are really no different than anybody else. We love and seek committed love. We live our lives like everyone else. That is what the evidence suggests. Anything else is stereotypes and ignorance.
The power that God wields is a power of love and transformation. We can be transformed. We can change to be a better person, the person God wants us to be. We can get up every morning and start anew. We can overcome incredible, insurmountable odds to become new person, a beautiful, loving creative person when once we were broken. Or perhaps worse, we can transform our self from the darkness of the closet to light of being out and proud.
God's power is love and light. The power to transform. The light of intelligence and knowledge.
And Saul approved of their killing him.
That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.
Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralysed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.
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