2/8/09 Acts 8

This passage talks about what happened after the death of Stephen.  After Stephen died, great persecution started at the churches of Jerusalem.  Many believers scatter around and they started to preach.  Throughout the the passage, Acts 8 talks about who did what kind of works or micracles in different areas.  Among all these works and micracles, one specific event caught my attention.  Peter and John were dispatched to the Samaria.  When they arrived at the Samaria, they realized that people were baptized, however, they had yet to received the Holy Spirit.  When Peter and John placed their hands on them, people started to received the Holy Spirit.  One of the people who saw Spirit coming down.  He offered money to Peter and John and asked them to give Holy Spirit to him.  Peter answered him by saying "may your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money".

When I read about this specific passage, it makes me wonder if we are the same way.  We tend to believe we can receive Holy Spirit/being a good Christian by paying some kind of price.  This kind of price can be many things.  Things such as serving often, coming to the morning prayer, prayer meeting, giving a lot of offering, and etc.  It seems like we don't realize we can't receive the Holy Spirit by doing things.  I believe we can only obtain Holy Spirit through building up a personal relationship with God.  Doing good works are very good to our lives, however, it shouldn't be the measurement of our spiritual lives.