The Royal Dermatologist: Leviticus 13-14 & Acts 8

Leviticus 13 and 14 spend much time in its concern about skin disease, which all seem to get lumped into leprosy. The disease was most likely scale disease and not leprosy. Scale diseases, was not contagious, but seems to have exhibited many of the patterns outlined in 13. It was assumed that if a blemish or wound was open, that it was contagious and therefore leperous. While scaling was a medical condition, it was treated as a religious issue as its presence in the community could make the community unclean. Hence it is the priest reviewing the condition of the man or woman, usually outside the boundary of the community.

To summarize some of the signs that the priest looks for: first is discoloration. True leprosy would have the skin become pink or white so the priest would look to see if the discoloration is just on surface or below, ie does hair change color? Time is given to see if discoloration continues or clears up on its own.

Second sign is swelling, does the area swell and ulcer? Skin ruptures would be a sign of leposy if hair becomes discolored. Normal hair color ruptures would be serious but not at the level of leprosy which would be believed to be present if hair becomes white.

Other signs also include scalp itching. Baldness could be a sign of such skin disease if it is accompanied by other symptoms. (Note, my baldness does not, so no need to stay away.)

In Chapter 14 the priest is given instructions on how to ritually welcome a "clean" person back into the community. Usually a sin offering and a purification offering are needed.

Acts 8 

The death of Stephen changes the dynamic for the early believers, fearing that they might be next, many leave Jerusalem. However, instead of leading to the end of the movement, the heavy handed stoning of Stephen actually speeds is spread. Chapter 8 follows the journey of Phillip who ventures into the region of Samaria, which is the location of the former norther kingdom of Israel. This region was destroyed by the Assyrian Empire and over time Samaritans and Judeans became hostile to each other.

Phillip begins to spread the good news and many flock to the message and are converted. However, while the people are baptized, the Spirit does not come to the community until Peter and John come and they prayed that the Samaritans would recieve the Spirit, and they do.

The spread of the Good News goes even further than Samaria as Phillip encounters an Ethiopian eunuch who holds a high place in the palace of the queen. Phillip engages him in a conversation and the Ethiopian asks to be baptized. The stories of Phillip demonstrate that the spread of the Gospel is rapidly moving through the known world, into Samaria and even down into Egypt and Ethiopia. Recall Jesus' pronouncement about proclaiming the Good News in Jerusalem, Judea, Samarian and then to the Gentiles; Jesus word is coming true.

The story of Simon, the magician, is very interesting. This man who sought to buy the "power" of the faith has given his name to those who seek to buy office in the church, simony.