THE WORD IS OUT
Opening Prayer
Ruler of the Universe, great lover of my soul, help me to serve you with all that I have, all that I am.
Read ACTS 8:4-25
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Philip in Samaria
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Simon the Sorcerer
9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Recall a time when you spoke to someone about Jesus. What was the response? How did you feel?The early Christians were facing opposition. They were effectively refugees on the move. How might we expect them to behave? Keep a low profile? Stay quiet for a bit? Well, those might be natural and logical responses. But it’s not what we see here. As they were dispersed, they still talked about what Jesus had done for them. Often in the history of the church, opposition has led to growth.
The opposition of the Jewish leaders, and sometimes the Roman authorities, was part of a spiritual battle. Sometimes that battle could take more subtle forms. Today we may be confronted by apathy rather than overt opposition. Simon wanted spiritual power, but for his own purposes and to boost his personal status. But God cannot be manipulated in this or any other way. The gift of the Spirit, promised to all who believe and given to these new believers in Samaria through the laying on of the apostles’ hands (v. 17), is the free gift of God. It cannot be bought or earned. We simply have to trust and be open, knowing that it is the Spirit who gives us the power to speak about Jesus and to face the spiritual battle.
Apply
Is there anyone with whom you could talk about Jesus this week?
Closing prayer
As you give me opportunity to share my faith and be a witness, Father, I trust your Spirit to speak through me and draw others to living faith in Jesus.
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