Acts 8:9–25

8:9
Now in that city was a man named Simon, who had been practicing magic and
amazing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.
10
All the people, from the least to the greatest, paid close attention to
him, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great.’”
11
And they paid close attention to him because he had amazed them for a long
time with his magic.
12
But when they believed Philip as he was proclaiming the good news about
the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they began to be baptized,
both men and women.
13
Even Simon himself believed, and after he was baptized, he stayed close to
Philip constantly, and when he saw the signs and great miracles that were
occurring, he was amazed.
14
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the
word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
15
These two went down and prayed for them so that they would receive the
Holy Spirit.
16
(For the Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, but they had only been
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17
Then Peter and John placed their hands on the Samaritans, and they
received the Holy Spirit.
18
Now Simon, when he saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of
the apostles’ hands, offered them money,
19
saying, “Give me this power too, so that everyone I place 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 acquire God’s gift with money!
21
You have no share or part in this matter because your heart is not right
before God!
22
Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that he
may perhaps forgive you for the intent of your heart.
23
For I see that you are bitterly envious and in bondage to sin.”
24
But Simon replied, “You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what
you have said may happen to me.”
25
So after Peter and John had solemnly testified and spoken the word of the
Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many
Samaritan villages as they went.

One thought:

God gives us the Spirit (and the power that comes with the Spirit) in order to do His work – not ours.

Three questions:

What do you think the baptism of the Holy Spirit is? Find out more here – https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/baptism-indwelling-spirit/

 

Do you try to use God as a powerful servant sometimes? How?

 

Look at the world around you for a few minutes and remind yourself who God is.

Prayer:

Acknowledge God as the sovereign Lord who created all things for His own purposes and glory.

Ask forgiveness for times when you have attempted to use God rather than trust Him.

Ask for God’s help in seeing Him as we should.

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