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Holy Living - “The Gift of God” – Wednesday, 4 June 2014 - Scripture: Acts
8:4-25
4 Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around
preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed
to them the Christ. 6 The multitudes listened with one accord to the things
that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. 7
For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying
with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 There
was great joy in that city.
9 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to
practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself
out to be some great one, 10 to whom they all listened, from the least to the
greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.” 11 They listened to
him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. 12 But when
they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name
of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself also
believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great
miracles occurring, he was amazed.
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who,
when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy
Spirit; 16 for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been
baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them,
and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit
was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
19 saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may
receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish
with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21
You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before
God. 22 Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the
thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the
gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the
things which you have spoken happen to me.”
25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word
of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages
of the Samaritans.
“The Gift of God” by Bill Manning
I’ve heard folks call Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9ff.) a “make-believer,” a pretender. They insist his conversion was not genuine. But Luke says, “Simon himself believed and was baptized” (v. 13). It can’t be plainer than that. Simon was a believer.
Those who dispute Simon’s conversion quote what Peter said later: “Your heart is not right before God. Repent . . . and pray . . . that he may forgive you” (Acts 8:21b-22). They can’t conceive that such a man was ever a believer.
Paul describes Simon’s dilemma: “What I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do . . . I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out” (Romans 7:15b, 18b). Simon was a believer struggling with his sinful nature.
Peter and John knew what Simon needed. “They prayed for the new believers . . . that they might receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:15). Unfortunately, Simon was more interested in manipulating the Spirit than in receiving Him.
We do not know how Simon’s story ended: But what about you?
- Is your heart right with God?
- Have you surrendered to God and His enabling Spirit?
Hymn for Today:
“Holy Spirit, Be My Guide” by Mildred Cope copyright 1963m
Renewed 1991 by Lillenas Publishing Company. All Rights Reserved.
1. Holy Spirit, my heart yearns for Thee;
Holy Spirit, abide in me.
Make me clean; O make me pure.
I must know the double cure.
Refrain:
Holy Spirit, be my Guide;
Holy Spirit, my heart’s open wide.
Make me to know Thy will divine;
Holy Spirit, be Thou mine.
Thought for Today:
“The power of God is not a power that you can control. It is a
power to which one submits in obedience.” (Scott Damiels)
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Burundi!
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