Listen

When word reached the apostles in Jerusalem that Samaria had accepted God’s word, they commissioned Peter and John to go to Samaria. Peter and John went down to Samaria where they prayed that the new believers would receive the Holy Spirit. (This was because the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) So Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:14-17

Think

If there is one rivalry I know well, it’s between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. I’ve lived in New York for most of my adult life, thus I am well aquatinted with the chant “Boston sucks!” that you will hear at almost every Yankee game — even when the Yankees aren’t playing the Red Sox! This is a lighthearted example of a rivalry, but unfortunately the divisions that exist between people are often more serious and filled with hate.

When we read this short passage in Acts 8 we must remember that the Jews and the Samaritans were enemies. So it was unusual that Peter and John, who were Jews, were sent into Samaria. But they were empowered by the Holy Spirt who knows no boundaries, the Spirit of the creator God who was working to destroy human divisions and unite all people into one holy family. Peter and John prayed for their new Samaritan friends, laid their hands on them, and they too received the Holy Spirit.

Amy Bost Henegar

Pray

Gracious and eternal God, your Spirit of unity calls us to break human barriers. Give me the wisdom, courage, and strength to join in the work you are doing in this world. Grant me peace in my heart, in my home, in my neighborhood and in this world. Help me today. Through Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Go

There’s a living stream, with a crystal gleam:
From the throne of life now it flows;
While the waters roll let the weary soul
Hear the call that forth freely goes.

Will you come to the fountain free?
Will you come? ’Tis for you and me;
Thirsty soul, hear the welcome call:
’Tis a fountain opened for all.

from “There’s a Fountain Free” by Mary B. Slade (1876)