The Path of Reconciliation: Acts 8:1-25

Reconciliation is hard. Really hard. Whether it's a broken friendship, a fractured family, or deep-seated cultural and racial divisions—coming back together after being torn apart is costly and uncomfortable. But here's what Acts 8 shows us: to be reconciled with God necessarily means you're on a path of being reconciled with God's people.

Persecution Leads to Growth

After Stephen's martyrdom, persecution scattered believers everywhere. Many fled Jerusalem, fearing for their lives. And yet, wherever they went, they shared the good news about Jesus. Despite the pain, dysfunction, and injustice—the church grew exponentially.

God didn't cause the persecution, but He redeemed it. He didn't allow His purposes to be thwarted. And the Gospel spread to places it never would have reached otherwise—including Samaria.

The Samaritans: 1,000 Years of Hostility

Jews and Samaritans hated each other. Nearly 1,000 years of hostility separated them. The Samaritans had broken off from Israel, established their own religious practices, and were considered traitors by the Jews. Jews wouldn't even travel through Samaria if they could avoid it.

But Philip—one of the seven appointed in Acts 6—fled to Samaria and proclaimed Jesus there. And the Samaritans believed. They were baptized. But they didn't receive the Holy Spirit yet. Why?

God's Intentional Delay

The Holy Spirit waited until Peter and John arrived from Jerusalem. Why? So the Jewish apostles could witness, with their own eyes, the Holy Spirit descending on the Samaritans. God wanted to obliterate the false idea that some people are less important than others.

The apostles needed to see the Samaritans fully welcomed into God's family—not as second-class citizens, but as equals. Under the banner of Jesus, hostility had to die. To know and follow Jesus, hostility with other followers of Christ must die.

Simon the Sorcerer: Using God for Self-Interest

Then there's Simon, a sorcerer who amazed people with his tricks. When Philip arrived preaching Jesus, Simon believed and was baptized. But when he saw the Holy Spirit given through the laying on of hands, he offered money to buy that power.

Peter's response was harsh: "May your money perish with you! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God" (Acts 8:20).

Simon wanted the Spirit's power for his own sake—to stay relevant, to elevate himself. He completely misunderstood. You cannot earn or buy God's grace. You must humble yourself and accept it.

The Modern Trap

We still see this today. People use God as a means to an end—trying religion, going to church, being "a good person"—but when things don't go their way, they give up. They follow Jesus for what He can do for them, not for who He is.

Whenever religion is used to make leaders seem great and powerful, or when it becomes a commodity serving the interests of those with power or money, it has become corrupt.

This Week, Try This

1. Examine your motives. Why do you follow Jesus? Is it for what He can give you, or because of who He is? Ask God to reveal any self-centered motivations and reorient your heart.
2. Pursue reconciliation. Is there a relationship in your life that's broken? A person you're at odds with? Take a step toward reconciliation this week—even if it's just a text or a prayer.
3. Die to hostility. Is there a group of people you've written off, judged, or distanced yourself from? Ask God to soften your heart toward them. Remember: under Jesus, there's no room for that kind of division.

The Path of Reconciliation

To know and follow Jesus is to be on a path of reconciliation—with God and with each other. It's a path of mutual respect, understanding, love, and sacrifice. Not self-centered, but Christ-centered.

At Indy Metro, we're committed to walking this path together. We're far from perfect, but we believe reconciliation is at the heart of the Gospel. And we'd love for you to join us. Come as you are this Sunday. Let's learn together what it means to be a reconciled and reconciling people.