Acts 5-8

The story of Simon the Magician in Samaria is quite interesting. First of backing down about the city of Jerusalem where Jesus preached to the woman at the well. Now Philip came to the same city being prepared by the Master Himself to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. They've received Jesus, they already put their faith in Christ, but now they are about to receive the Kingdom of God being demonstrated by the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom of God which is peace joy and righteousness in the Holy Spirit. So they've received the King but not yet received the kingdom. Philip first came and demonstrated the power and people put faith in Christ the message and the Holy Spirit. That's quite amazing that though Jesus preached in that town, but He didn't cast out demons or do much miracles. All He did was given prophetic words and people believed! He left the job for Philip and Peter. How God desired partnership and sharing the glory with men kind! He loves to get everybody involved and use mere men to accomplish great task! Also we can really learn that God has a 3 different moves in the city in right order. First Jesus, then Evangelist Philip, then Apostle Peter. And at here we must remembered what Jesus had prayed, the harvest is riped but the laborers are few. Also when Jesus was at the boat with Peter, He said follow me I'll make you fishers of men. God is fulfilling His promises to Jesus. All these prayers are being answered and continued. Do you understand that there is no prayers from Jesus that won't be answered? God is desmonstrating the power of His prayer. And fulfilling His promises.

I find it real interesting to see every little story and every little fact that God placed in the book has a significance. If they made it to the bible becoming part of the roster, they are speaking to us something of a prototype, we must pay attention. Back to my point about Simon the Magician. I never understood why mentioning about him. We didn't have a resolution of this man, it seems like. But I think some points we can draw from this little story. First when people get baptized, they can still go to hell. Their lives are still amess. When they get baptized, did you see all the mess in their lives are still there! It was not removed. The issue of bitterness and iniquity generational curses are not dealt with. If those things were not repented and dealt with, Peter was prophesying Simon's generational curses will come to pass. That's why is so important for us to break the negative cycle of sin and curses over our lives and transfer to the cycles of blessings. Simon was given a chance then when confronted to repent or to accept his curses. Without any resolution here, prehaps God is telling us we choose our own destiny. People can prophesy all kinds of great and wonderful destinies over us. We can be given great and wonderful awesome gifts whether spiritual or natural giftings. But we still control our own destinies. We can choose to walk the way of light or darkness competely up to us.

Also it seems like to me Peter is operated in such high level prophetic gifting almost functioning as the office. It only can be matched to like Elijah or Elisha calling out people's sins to the point of death. But perhaps God always grant top leadership of the church with deep spiritual insight into people's lives as to protect the purity of His church. The primary function of the leaders and these apostles are to protect and to fight wolves that come in the form of sheep. So these types of giftings are necessary. Even though it seems mercifless everytime up till now when Peter functioned prophetically He is pointing out sins of people. But it does make sense because the Holy Spirit's job is conviction. When we are truly baptised and become the vessel in which Holy Spirit speaks, we often times can bring that conviction to people's lives. I believe apostles have a strong giftings in these areas to bring real conviction to people's lives to bring about change. See when Philip functioned as a leaders we don't see these type of junks coming out, and many are saved and even demons cast out and great signs and wonders. But when Peter is present, you know that the junks will come out! Same anointing also transfer and is active in Stephan's life. We see Him convicting people in such power he was martyred. Somehow pioneers can be real sharp, so they could set up the Kingdom with truth and trembling. You read the book of Peter and you will find the same kind of hell fire preaching there. This is the revelation God has given Him. This is quite amazing that God has turned this fisherman to a solid rock in which God builds the church. Solid in righteousness solid in truth of God. When we're building the foundation, we must build it in excellence, so when there's error, the Holy Spirit is there to steer and directed, the room for error is zero, and thus the severity I believe. Paul functioned similarly but more so He functioned as a prophetic messenger who brough revelations to the people of God. Paul is not a fire hell preacher but a bearer of revelations of the mystries of the kingdom of God. Yet Peter functioned as the Father and covering for the early church.