Societal norms tend to dictate behavior by the masses. Many of these "norms" have thankfully changed with the progression of time. Spend an afternoon watching films from the 40s, 50s, and 60s on Turner Classic Movies or American Movie Classics and you can see examples of what we mean (Some of these movies could never be made in their original form or with their original scripts in our current hypersensitive environment). 
Attitudes toward people groups, while often ratcheted up by politicians and the media, have in many ways improved over the last couple of centuries or as evidenced by the changes in movie-making, over the last 3-4 decades. Yes, we have much more improvement to make in our relationship with each other as humans, the only race (everything else is cultural differences and bias about skin pigment). Yet, we still think that we live in a time where folks are more accepting of others than at any time in human history.
Attitudes toward people groups, while often ratcheted up by politicians and the media, have in many ways improved over the last couple of centuries or as evidenced by the changes in movie-making, over the last 3-4 decades. Yes, we have much more improvement to make in our relationship with each other as humans, the only race (everything else is cultural differences and bias about skin pigment). Yet, we still think that we live in a time where folks are more accepting of others than at any time in human history.
However, there have been good things that have gone by the wayside as we have progressed as a people. One of those is touch. Add to this "evolution" a pandemic and you get a recipe for a very "hands-off" society. Please understand that we are not advocating inappropriate behavior of any kind. There has been much ink spent in the "revelations" of improper behavior and we do not wish to give it any more. And many companies have a "you touch them your terminated" policy that even applies to those who would perpetrate crimes (shoplifting, et.al). Given that, we fail to understand how an appropriate handshake or a hug, is the evil incarnate these actions are made out to be sometimes, especially in the post-pandemic/many-folks-
A fist bump is just not an adequate (or appropriate for business meetings) means of introduction when meeting someone, nor is it anywhere close to sufficient when needing to express excitement about... well anything. (Can I get please get a high-five?) This knuckle-knock is certainly not sufficient when it comes to greeting someone whom you care for and haven't seen in a while. The only thing for that is a permitted hug (side preferable, full-blown if allowed and encouraged).
Human touch (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Human Touch" (Bruce Springsteen)) is one of those, well, touchy subjects in recent years. And yet, it continues to be a staple lyrical topic in the music industry. Physical contact with another human continues to be the source of many songs. One only needs to peruse the Hot 100 for a plethora of examples. (go ahead peruse on! Billboard Hot 100 - billboard.com) Notably, touchy-feely songs are not quite as prominent as they were several years ago (specifically in 1985)...
Thompson Twins was formed in 1977 and has several iterations. The name came from two detectives (aptly named Thomson & Thompson, but not twins) who were support characters providing comic relief in The Adventures of Tin Tin comic strip. As Thompson Twins' popularity grew, the band ballooned up to seven members, however, their greatest achievements occurred in the mid-80s as a trio. Joe Leeway (roadie turned band member, percussion, keys, vocals), Tom Bailey (guitars, keys, vocals), and Alannah Currie (percussion, vocals, songwriting) made up the trio that rode the wave of the second British Invasion and the New Wave explosion of the 80s finding success with their unique sound and songwriting skills. Their biggest hit in the US was the 1983 #3 smash "Hold Me Now". At the height of their success, they saw the departure of Joe Leeway and became a duo. Having released 8 studio albums as a group in 1993 the name of the band changed to Babble, where the duo released two studio albums.
Peaking at the #6 spot on the aforementioned Billboard Hot 100 is "Lay Your Hands On Me" by the Thompson Twins, and as you can see above, none of them were named Thompson. Two versions of the song were recorded to be released as singles for radio, one released in Europe and Australia that was produced by American producer Alex Sadkin and band member Tom Bailey, the other was a Nile Rodgers-produced and reworked single that was included on the album. This version of "Lay Your Hands On Me" included a Gospel choir and an electric guitar. It was also the version that was released in the United States. The song came from the final album that featured the trio lineup, the #20 Here's To Future Days.
In a 2014 interview, Tom Bailey described today's featured song in this manner:
"We were interested in the idea of group rituals of that sort, and particularly how it relates to artist, performer, and audience. ... [The song is] nonspecifically religious. It looks at religious ritual in that way, and then draws a kind of metaphor - I've always been very fond of the kind of layered metaphor where the song can be about one thing but also about another. That's part of a really ancient and noble tradition of religious writing of music. Typically, people talk about their love for God in a religious song, but what they're also saying is that they love someone human. It's a way of evoking that immense emotional weight into a song." - "Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins" - by Carl Wiser, August 12, 2014 songfacts.com
Hmmm...isn't that what we do here at The Notes? Thanks for letting us borrow the idea, Mr. Bailey. So let's continue to the "layered metaphor" part, shall we?
As our narrative transitions away from Paul for a moment, we segue to see the results of his persecution of Jesus' followers. We encounter the apostle Phillip as he has gone to the city of Samaria to preach Jesus as Christ to the people in that region. He and some unnamed apostles went to Samaria as a result of Paul's persecution of the church in Jerusalem. Samaria is located to the north of Jerusalem and south of the Sea of Galilee. There Philip found attentive listeners. Verse 6 indicates that the crowd listened to Philip and did so with "one mind". Philip performed miracles and healed folks in the city, thus drawing even more folks to hear what he had to say.
This drew the attention of a man named Simon who the Bible refers to as a "magician". He had been performing many miraculous things as well, but when he heard the message of Jesus, he believed and was baptized. The Bible makes it very clear, however, that Simon and the others who were saved and baptized had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Put a pin in Simon because we aren't quite done with his story yet.
Word of the salvation of Samaria got back to the church in Jerusalem. The apostles sent Peter and John to pray over the new believers that they would be imbued with the Holy Spirit. Not only did Peter and John pray, but they also laid their hands on the new followers who then received the Holy Spirit. Please do not misunderstand. This is not some mystical endowment because of Peter and John's touch. This is God fulfilling the promise of a Comforter, Counselor, Intercessor, and Advocate given by Jesus to the apostles as He was about to return to God, the Father. This same Holy Spirit comes on folks now as they believe in Jesus.
"...When it almost seemed too much
I see your face and sense the grace
And feel the magic in your touch..."
I see your face and sense the grace
And feel the magic in your touch..."
And now back to our magician friend turned new believer, Simon. As so many people do, Simon misunderstood the action of the Holy Spirit in these people's lives. He thought there was a transmission of the Holy Spirit through Peter and John's laying on hands. Let me be clear. Holy Spirit came to those folks as a result of Jesus' promise, NOT Peter and John's touch. Simon went so far as to offer Peter and John money for the ability to proffer the Holy Spirit to new believers. Simon wanted the authority that was given to the apostles and he was willing to pay for it. Simon's spiritual immaturity is showing as he was thinking improperly about what was going on.
Peter, who knew a couple of things about strong rebukes, gave Simon a stern warning regarding his actions. Peter decries Simon's thoughts about the relationship between money and the work of the apostles as well as the Holy Spirit's interactions with new believers. Simon, based on his magical experiences, had the misconception that the apostles laying on hands equated with the power and authority to do the miraculous things he had witnessed. This would cause one to pause and wonder about Simon's convictions about where he placed his faith and baptism. It certainly was a cause of concern for Peter. He goes so far as to say that Simon is caught up in "the gall of bitterness and the bondage of unrighteousness." Again, Peter knows a thing or two about strong rebukes. Yikes!!! Simon did seem repentant and went so far as to ask the apostles to pray for him because of his immaturity and misstep. The seed of doubt has been planted, however, and we never hear anything more about Simon. So we don't know what the disposition of Simon may have been after this portion of the story.
There have been special times in my church experience when we have taken the opportunity to lay hands on a person as we pray for them. This is a divine moment of unification and commitment as the human touch expresses a variety of interactions. It is important for believers today to be intercessory for fellow believers and sometimes this may include an arm around the shoulder, an embrace, or laying hands on someone as a means of support.
"...Back and forth across the sea
I have chased so many dreams
But I have never felt a grace
That I have felt in your embrace..."
I have chased so many dreams
But I have never felt a grace
That I have felt in your embrace..."
Friend, we do live in a world where it seems every action is circumspect. It is difficult for believers to navigate what is appropriate and what isn't sometimes. As we grow in our own spiritual maturity, through reading/studying the Bible, allowing ourselves to be taught as a disciple of Jesus, and surrounding ourselves with a support/accountability network of mature Jesus followers, we find that the same Holy Spirit that came to the folks of the city of Samaria will enable and direct every move we make. The Holy Spirit will show lead, guide, and direct you to know when it is the right time to...
"...Oh, lay your hands
Oh, lay your hands on me
Lay your hands, woo hoo
Oh, lay your hands
Oh, lay your hands on me
Oh, lay your hands, oooh..."
Lay your hands, woo hoo
Oh, lay your hands
Oh, lay your hands on me
Oh, lay your hands, oooh..."
'Till Tuesday,
Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
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