Беседа 18

Acts 7:54. Listening to this, they tore their hearts and gnashed their teeth at him. Why those baptized by Philip did not receive the Holy Spirit. - The wickedness of Simon. – What benefits were received from the death of Stefan. – Churches in villages. 1. It is surprising how they, not finding in (Stephen’s) words a reason to kill him, still rage and look for this reason. Thus, (people) who act unrighteously are always evil. Just as the high priests were perplexed and said, “What should we do with these people?” (Acts 4:16), so they too are tormented. It seems that he should have been indignant, as having done nothing unjust, and yet having suffered the fate of the unjust and slandered. But this is precisely what the slanderers are exposed to; and so (it turns out) to be true what I have always said, that to do evil means to suffer. And he does not utter any slander, but spoke the truth. Thus, when we are reviled for something that we are not aware of, we do not tolerate anything from it. They wanted to kill him; but they don’t (suddenly) do this, but still want to find a plausible reason for their crime. How? Was not reproof a plausible reason? But this was not his own reproof, but a prophetic one; or they deliberately postponed (the killing) in order to show the appearance that they killed him not for denouncing them - just as it was with Christ - but for wickedness. Meanwhile, his words were words of piety. Therefore, intending to damage his glory along with the deprivation of life, they were “eager” - because they were afraid that something new would happen because of him. Then, what they did to Christ, they (do) to Stephen. Just as there, when He said: “Behold the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power” (Matthew 26:64), they called it blasphemy and called the people as witnesses, so it is here. There they tore their clothes; here they covered their ears. “Stephen, being filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said: Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. But they shouted with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one accord rushed at him, and, leading him out of the city, began to stone him with stones” (Acts 7:55-58). And even if he had told a lie, he should have been released as if he was in a frenzy. But he said this in order to convert them. Since he spoke only about the death (of Christ), and did not say anything about the resurrection, he now opportunely adds teaching on this subject. He says that (Christ) appeared to him as he tells it, in order, at least in this way, to dispose them to accept his words; to say that he sits (at the right hand of God) would be intolerable to them; therefore he preaches only about the resurrection and says that Christ stands (at the right hand of God). I think that his face became famous from this (vision). Through this very thing, God, the lover of mankind, wanted to call them to Himself, for which they were indignant, if there was nothing more. “And, taking him out of the city, they began to stone him.” Again death is outside the city, as it was with Christ, and at death itself confession and preaching are announced. “The witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of the young man named Saul, and stoned Stephen, who was praying and saying: Lord Jesus! receive my spirit" (Acts 7:58, 59). By this he shows and teaches them that he does not perish. “And, kneeling down, he exclaimed with a loud voice: Lord! Do not count this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). As if to prove that what he said before did not happen out of anger, he says: “Lord!” ; or in this way he wanted to convert them: after all, to forgive anger and rage, (extending) to murder, and to show a soul not involved in passion - this could dispose them to accept his word. “Saul approved of his murder. In those days there was a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1). It seems to me that this persecution did not happen by chance, but by arrangement (of God). “And all except the apostles were scattered throughout various parts of Judea and Samaria” (Acts 8:1). Do you see how God again allows temptations to exist? But look here, please, how things work out. They were the subject of wonder because of the signs; being scourged, they did not grieve at all; remained in place; the sermon spread; but then (God) allows a great obstacle: persecution occurs, not a small one, but such that they had to flee together (and they were feared as having become more daring), and it became clear to everyone that those who were afraid and fled were people. But lest you later say that they did everything only by grace even when they were persecuted, that is why they turned out to be more timid, and they more daring. And “everyone,” says (the writer), “was scattered, except the Apostles.” So, it was not in vain that I said that this persecution was according to the dispensation (of God); if he had not been there, the disciples would not have been scattered. “And reverent men buried Stephen, and made great mourning for him” (Acts 8:2). They mourn him either because they were not yet perfect, or because he was worthy of love and respect. At the same time, this sadness and crying, in addition to fear, show that they were people. 2. And who would not weep when he saw this gentle lamb stoned and lying dead? The evangelist left a gravestone inscription worthy of him, saying: “And he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice; and they made a great lamentation for him." But let's turn to the above. “Stephen, being filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said: behold, I see the heavens opened.” And “they stopped their ears, and with one accord they rushed towards him.” What is worthy of condemnation here? But, despite the fact that they (the husband) who made such signs, who defeated everyone with his word and who spoke like that, took him and, as they wanted, they satisfied their rage over him. “And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of the young man named Saul.” Look how thoroughly (the writer) talks about what concerns Paul, in order to show you the work of God that happened to him afterward. And now he not only does not believe, but also betrays Stefan into the hands of countless murderers; Pointing to this, (the writer) says: “Saul approved of his murder.” Blessed (Stephen) prays not simply, but carefully: “bending,” he says, “on his knees.” That is why his death was Divine; and until this time the souls were destined to remain in hell. “And they were all scattered throughout different parts of Judea and Samaria.” Those who have heard: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles” (Matthew 10:5) enter into fellowship with the Samaritans without fear. “Except,” he says, “the Apostles,” showing that they, wanting to convert the Jews in this case, did not leave the city; or they wanted to be examples of boldness for others. “And Saul tormented the church, entering houses and dragging away men and women, handing them over to prison” (Acts 8:3). Great frenzy, both because he was alone and because he entered houses: to such an extent he gave his soul for the law! “Dragging,” he says, “men and women.” Look at the courage, and at the anger, and at the frenzy. He subjected everyone he came across to countless disasters, as if after this murder (Stephen) he had become more insolent. So, “meanwhile those who were scattered went about preaching the word. So Philip came to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. The people unanimously listened to what Philip said, hearing and seeing the miracles he performed. For the unclean spirits from many who were possessed by them came out with a great cry, and many paralytic and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city. Now there was a certain man in the city named Simon, who had previously practiced magic and astonished the people of Samaria, posing as someone great. Everyone listened to him, from the smallest to the greatest, saying, “This is the great power of God” (Acts 8:4–10). Notice, please, another temptation, i.e. from Simon. “And they listened to him because for a considerable time he amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Simon himself believed and, having been baptized, did not leave Philip; and, seeing great powers and signs taking place, he was amazed. The Apostles who were in Jerusalem, hearing that the Samaritans had accepted the word of God, sent Peter and John to them, who, having come, prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet descended on any of them, but only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Simon, seeing that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the hands of the Apostles, brought them money, saying: Give me this power, so that whoever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:11-19). How, they will say, have they really not received the Spirit? They received the Spirit of remission (of sins); but they have not yet received the Spirit of signs. And that it is so that they did not receive the Spirit of Signs is clear from the fact that Simon, seeing this, came to ask Him. The persecution then especially intensified, but God again delivered them, protecting them with signs. Since the death of Stephen did not quell the rage (of the Jews), but intensified it even more, the teachers scattered so that the teaching could spread more widely. But behold, their circumstances become favorable again and they receive joy. “And there was,” says (the writer), “great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8), although (before) there was great mourning. This is what God usually does, combining joys with sorrows in order to be even more worthy of wonder. Simon had the illness for a long time. That is why he is not freed from it even at this (baptism). How was he baptized? Just as Christ chose Judas. He, seeing the signs taking place, was amazed, but did not yet dare to ask for the grace of the signs, since he saw that others had not yet received it. Why was he not deprived of his life, like Ananias and Sapphira? Because in ancient times the one who gathered wood (on the Sabbath) was deprived of his life for teaching others, but no one else was subjected to the same thing. So now Peter acts and, having punished those, does not punish them, but says to him: “Let your money perish with you, because you thought to receive the gift of God with money” (Acts 8:20). 3. And why didn’t they receive the Holy Spirit after baptism? Either because Philip did not communicate (Him), perhaps, giving honor to the apostles, or he himself did not have this gift - because he was one of the seven (deacons); the latter can be said with greater probability. From this it seems to me that this Philip was one of the seven, second after Stephen. When he baptized, he did not impart the Spirit to those being baptized, since he did not have such power: this gift belonged only to the twelve (apostles). And note: these (apostles) did not come out, but according to God’s dispensation, those who did not have this grace came out (from Jerusalem), because they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. They received the power to perform signs, but did not receive (the power) to communicate the Spirit to others. Therefore, it belonged exclusively to the apostles. That’s why we see that the supreme ones (the apostles) are doing this, and not anyone else. “Simon saw,” says (the writer), “that through the laying on of the hands of the Apostles the Holy Spirit is given.” He would not have said so if something subject to feelings had not happened. This is what Paul said when he (testified that) they spoke in (different) tongues. Have you seen the wickedness of Simon? He brought money, although he did not see (the apostle) doing it for money; therefore, it was not the work of ignorance, but the work of one who tempted and wanted to condemn (him). That’s why I heard: “You have no part or lot in this, for your heart is not right with God” (Acts 8:21). Again (Peter) reveals what is hidden in his soul, although he thought to hide it. “So repent of this sin of yours, and pray to God: perhaps the thoughts of your heart will be forgiven you; for I see you filled with bitter gall and in the bonds of unrighteousness. Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing that you have said may befall me” (Acts 8:22–24). It was necessary to repent from the heart, it was necessary to cry, but he only does it hypocritically. “Maybe it will fall to you.” (Peter) said this not in the sense that he would not be forgiven even if he cried, but this is how prophets usually only threaten and do not say: if you do this, you will be forgiven; but (they say) that punishment will certainly follow. But marvel, I ask, how they do not give up even during a disaster, but continue to preach: and how, just as during the time of Moses, (true) miracles were recognized in comparison (with false ones), so it is exactly here. There was magic, but these signs were clearly different; There should not have been a single demoniac there, where (Simon) worked on them with magic for quite some time; but since there were many possessed and many paralyzed, his (miracles) were not true. Philip, not only with signs, but also with words, led them (to faith), talking about the kingdom and about Christ. “Simon,” says (the writer), “having been baptized, did not leave Philip,” he remained not for the sake of faith, but in order to become the same himself. “Who came and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He has not yet descended upon any of them. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." You see, (this was done) not simply, but great power was needed to communicate the Holy Spirit? It’s not all the same – to receive remission (of sins), or to receive such power. “Simon, seeing that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the hands of the Apostles, brought them money.” Has he seen others do this? What (do) Philip? Did he really think that they didn’t know what thought he was starting with? Therefore Peter well calls it a gift, saying: “Let your silver perish with you, because you thought to receive the gift of God with money.” You see how they were not involved in money. “You have no part or lot in this, for your heart is not right before God.” So, he did everything wrong, but he should have been simple. “Repent therefore: for I see you filled with bitter gall and in the bonds of unrighteousness.” These are expressions of intense anger. However, he does not punish him so that faith does not come from necessity, so that it does not seem like a cruel thing, so that there is room for repentance; or because to correct (him) it was enough to expose him, that it was enough to reveal (hidden) in the heart for him to admit that he had been exposed. With the words: “please pray for me,” he recognizes this and confesses it together. See how, although he was wicked, he believed when he was convicted, and now became humble when he was convicted again. “Seeing great powers and signs taking place, he was amazed,” showing that all (his deeds) were lies. It is not said: he began, but: “he was amazed.” Why didn't he do this before? He thought he could take cover; thought it was a matter of art. But, since he could not hide from the apostles, he began. “The unclean spirits from many who were possessed by them came out with a great cry.” This (voice) was a clear sign that they were coming, and the actions of the Magi, on the contrary, bound (the mouth) even more. "Many sick and lame were healed." There was no deception here; because (the healed) had to walk and act. “Everyone listened to him, from the smallest to the greatest, saying: This is the great power of God.” Here what Christ said is fulfilled: “false Christs and false prophets will arise” in My name (Mark 13:22). But why didn’t they immediately denounce him? They were content with the fact that he exposed himself; and it was instructive. When he could not resist, he becomes a hypocrite, like the wise men who said: “This is the finger of God” (Ex. 8:19). And so that he would not be expelled again, for this purpose he stayed with Philip and did not leave (him). 4. Look, please, how many consequences occurred from the death of Stephen. They are scattered throughout the countries of Judea and Samaria; preach the word, preach Christ, perform signs; little by little they receive the gift (of the Holy Spirit). There was a special sign here: to give to them, but not to give to him (Simon) - this is the greatest sign. “When they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they went back to Jerusalem and preached the gospel in many villages of Samaria” (Acts 8:25). It is beautifully said: “witnessing.” They testify, perhaps, regarding (Simon), so that (the believers) are not deceived, so that they are safe, so that out of inexperience they are not often carried away. "We went back to Jerusalem". Why are they going again to where there was persecution, where the beginning of disasters was, where the murderers were especially located? Just as military leaders do in battles, rushing to that part of the army that is weakening, they do exactly the same. Look also: the disciples do not first come to Samaria, but as a result of persecution, as in the time of Christ, and then the apostles are sent from the Samaritans to those who believed. “The Apostles who were in Jerusalem,” says (the writer), “hearing that the Samaritans accepted the word of God, sent Peter and John to them” (Acts 8:14). Why are they sent? In order to deliver them from sorcery, in order to remind them of the teaching that they heard from Christ when they first believed. So, (Simon) on the contrary should have asked in order to receive the Holy Spirit himself; and he, not caring about Him for himself, asks in order to (have the power) to communicate Him to others. And those (seven deacons) did not receive Him in such a way as to communicate to others; and he wanted to become more famous than Philip, being among his disciples. “Let your silver perish with you.” These are the words of one who does not hope, but who teaches. Since he did not use the silver for what he should, then let it, he says, be with you - such a one (the wicked). Or, as it were, he said: let it perish along with your intention, because you think so low about the gift of God, considering it a completely human matter. This is not the gift. If he had come as he should have come, he would have been accepted, or at least would not have been rejected like an infection. Do you see how he sins purely who thinks lowly about (objects) high? Therefore (the apostle) commands him two (things): “Repent and pray, perhaps the thought of your heart will be forgiven you.” So he conceived a vicious deed; That’s why (the apostle) said to him: “perhaps it will come down to you,” knowing that he was incorrigible. He, for his part, feared the people and did not dare to repent. If he had not been embarrassed, he would have said: I didn’t know, I acted frivolously; but he was amazed, firstly, by the fact that signs were performed before him, and secondly, by the fact that what was hidden in his soul became clear. Therefore, he went far away, to Rome, where the apostle had not yet reached. “And in many,” he says, “the villages of Samaria they preached the Gospel.” Look how they did their job during the journey itself; they did not travel in vain. We should make such trips too. But what am I saying: travel? Many have villages and hamlets, but do not care or care about them at all. They worry a lot about how to set up a bathhouse, how to increase income, how to arrange yards and homes; but about how to cultivate souls, not at all. When you see thorns in the field, you pull them out, burn them, destroy them in order to free the earth from the harm they cause; but, seeing the farmers themselves, full of thorns, you do not pluck them up: tell me, are you not afraid and trembling of Him who will demand an account from you for them? Shouldn't each believer build a church, invite a teacher to help him, and take care, first of all, that everyone is a Christian? How, tell me, will a farmer be a Christian when he sees that you are so careless about his salvation? But you cannot perform signs and convince? Convince them with what you can: philanthropy, intercession, meekness, affection and everything else. Many people build markets and baths, but they don’t build churches, and they would rather do everything than that. Therefore, I convince, beg and ask as a favor, or better yet, I even make it a law, so that no one has a village without a church. Don’t tell me: (the church) is close, with the neighbors; (with her) a lot of expenses, not a lot of income. If you have anything to give to the poor, then use it on her; better for this than for that; support the teacher, maintain the deacon and the clergy. Just as (you do) when you take a wife or a bride, or give away a daughter, do the same with the church. Give her a dowry. In this way your village will be filled with blessings. What benefits will not be there? Is it not important, tell me, that (your) threshing floor will be blessed? Is it not important that of all your fruits God will first receive the portion and the firstfruits? This is beneficial for the farming world. Then the priest will be respected, and this will serve as salvation for the village. There (will be performed) constant prayers, chants and celebrations for you, and an offering (of a bloodless sacrifice) on every Sunday. What is more worthy of praise - that others build magnificent tombs, so that after them they say: so-and-so built them, or that you built churches? Think that by erecting an altar to God, you will have reward until the coming of Christ. 5. Tell me: if the king commanded you to build a house for him to live there, would you not do everything? But the church building is the royal dwelling of Christ. Don't look at the expense, but think about the fruit. Those who cultivate the land, you cultivate their souls; They bear fruit for you; you raise them to heaven. He who makes the beginning is the culprit of everything else. So you too will be the culprit (of salvation) of those announced there and in the nearest villages. Baths make farmers very pampered, taverns make them very intemperate; but, despite this, you build them for the sake of glory. Markets and gatherings (make them) shameless; but here everything is the opposite. What is it like to see a priest walking like Abraham, gray-haired, girded, cultivating the land and working with his hands! What is more desirable than such a village? There is much more virtue here. There is no debauchery here: it is rejected; there is no drunkenness and gluttony: they are expelled; there is no vanity: it is extinguished; here cordiality shines more from simplicity of heart. What is it like to go out and enter the house of God and realize that you yourself built it, lie down to rest and, after bodily rest, attend evening and morning prayers, invite a priest to your table, talk with him, receive a blessing, see how others go there! This is a wall, this is the security of the village. This is the field about which it is said: “behold... the smell of the field [full] which the Lord blessed” (Gen. 27:27). If the village is already good in terms of the silence and tranquility that prevails in it, then when it has this too, what will it compare with? Truly, a village that has a church is like God’s paradise. There is no shouting, no noise, no different enemies, no heresies: everyone is friends, professing the same dogmas. Silence disposes you to wisdom; the priest, starting with this wisdom, will easily heal you. Here everything we say is scattered in the marketplace; and there, what you hear (from him) will be firmly imprinted on your soul, and therefore in the village you will be a different (person). He will guide those (the villagers) and will be their guardian, both by staying (among them) and admonishing them. What are the costs, tell me? First build a small house in the form of a church; someone after you will build a porch, and someone else after him will add something else, and thus everything will be imputed to you. You give a little, but receive a reward for everything. So, make a beginning, lay the foundation, or better said, convince each other, compete with each other in this matter. Places where chaff, rye and the like need to be stored are arranged with all conveniences; and where it is necessary to gather spiritual fruits, they do not care at all about it, but force themselves to go through thousands of stages and undertake long journeys in order to come to church. And how good it is when a priest comes to church with perfect calm to approach God and pray every day for the village, for the creator (of the church)! Is it not important, tell me, that your name will be constantly remembered in sacred rites and every day prayers to God will be made for the village? How much benefit this will bring you in other respects! It happens that some of your neighbors have patrons; None of them will even want to come to you, the poor one, but perhaps they will invite the priest and seat you at the table with them. Do you see how many good things can come from here? The village will be free from any bad reproach; no one will accuse him of murder, or theft, or suspect him of anything like that. (The villagers) will have another consolation from this when illness or death befalls someone. Not without benefit and not as it happens, those who visit each other will maintain friendship there; and the meetings will be much more pleasant than at (public) holidays. And not only the congregations, but the elders themselves will be more respected for the sake of the priest. You, of course, have heard that Jerusalem was revered by the ancients more than other cities, and not without reason, but because piety then reigned in it. Where God is revered, there is nothing bad; but on the contrary, where they do not honor Him, there is nothing good. Thus there will be great prosperity both in relation to God and in relation to people. Therefore, I exhort you, not carelessly, but diligently, to take up this task. “If you extract something precious from something worthless, you will be like My mouth” (Jer. 15:19), then bringing benefit and salvation to so many souls who now exist and who will still exist before the coming of Christ, what favor will not be worthy of God! Build a stronghold against the devil: this is the church. From there let the hands (of the villagers) stretch out to work; first let them extend them to prayers, and then go to work. Thus, they will have bodily strength, and agriculture will be successful, and all disasters will be alien to them. It is impossible to express in words the pleasure that comes from this until it is experienced in practice. Never mind that the church does not bring in any income. If you look at it this way, then it’s better not to start the business at all, if you don’t expect to receive an income higher than any village. If you don’t think so, then don’t do it, unless you consider this matter above all else. What is higher than this acquisition - to raise souls to the heavenly granary? It's a pity that you don't know how important it is to win souls. Listen to what Christ says to Peter: “Simon the Jonah! do you love me? Peter says to Him: Yes, Lord! You know that I love You. Jesus says to him, “Feed My sheep” (John 21:16). If you, having seen that the king’s sheep or horses (wander) outside the gate and are in danger, had built a gate and a stable for them, or even assigned a shepherd to them, then what would not the king reward you with? Here you gather the flock of Christ and assign a shepherd to it, and do you really think that you are doing something unimportant? But what am I saying? If he who seduces even one (person) is threatened with such punishment (Luke 17:2), then he who saves so many people, tell me, will he really not be saved? Without a doubt, he will be saved. What sin will be behind him? And if there is one, will he not be forgiven? From the punishment of the one who seduces, know the reward of the one who saves. If God had not desired the salvation of even one soul, then its destruction would not have been subject to such His wrath. So, knowing this, let us take up this spiritual work; Let each (of you) invite me too, and we will arrange this together if possible. And if there are three owners, then let them do it together; and if there is only one, then let him convince other neighbors to do the same. Only, I exhort you, try to do this so that, pleasing God in everything, we may be worthy of eternal blessings, according to the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, be glory, power, honor, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. These conversations were delivered by the saint in Constantinople in 400 or 401. 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