Acts: A Theological Commentary on the Bible (Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible)

by Willie James Jennings

Disciples of Jesus must be convinced not only of God’s love for the world but also God’s desire for people, especially peoples we have been taught not to desire. John Chrysostom says of this moment that it was meant as a twofold sign signifying the giving of the Spirit to these longed-for Samaritans and the not giving of the gift to give to Simon.9 Chrysostom is on to something crucial here because this giving requires not only bodies touching but bodies yielded, bodies given to God. In this moment of waiting, like the other (Acts 1), God will draw near and give lavishly in an intimate space created by bodies and created for bodies. God’s drawing and claiming of the beloved creation continues, reaching through the apostles and through Diaspora prophets, from Peter and John through Philip and now to the Samaritans. The Holy Spirit has come. Simon could have no part in this because he does not understand what he sees. All he saw was power, raw power in the hands of the apostles, which for Simon circulates like all currency. The exchange of money for this power makes sense in the space just outside of redeemed space where the intimacy of faith remains hidden by its obvious utility. There are people the world over who live and breathe and envision Christian faith only in its utility and only through exchange. Though they stand near its intimate space they are not in it. “Give me this power” (dote kamoi tēn exousian tautēn, v. 19). This is Simon’s specific request for this spec...