May 31st, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Counterfeit?

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Loving Father, I thank You today for my new life in Christ and for the love that gave it.

Read Acts 8:9-25

[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.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“If you live your everyday life in the power of faith … you may begin to see wonderful things” (David Jeremiah).

Think Further

What happens when your hard-won audience melts away in front of you? It takes a big person not to feel bitter. A rival attraction was drawing Simon’s crowd. Yet, open to learn and, perhaps, profit, Simon went to see who these newcomers were. He was impressed and saw things completely out of his experience. Moreover, Philip was not even an apostle! Imagine then Simon’s interest when the top brass arrived in person. They did not disappoint, and Simon was deeply moved by what he saw. 

However, whether his conversion was real or skin-deep, enough of his old entrepreneurial nature remained within him. If he could bottle what they had, namely the Holy Spirit, he could use it to fund a new ministry. He is neither the first nor the last to want to profit from his faith. Jesus’ warning stands true that “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matt. 6:24). Peter exposes the heart disease he suffers from, which, if not dealt with, will prove terminal. He calls on him to change his attitude and his approach. The story leaves us with a seemingly penitent and prayerful Simon, but it may not be the last time he had to fight that particular battle.

Meanwhile, the work in Samaria went on. Representing the apostles, Peter and John authenticated the work there. Word and deed worked in harmony, and joy was the result. The kingdom of God was clearly seen and the response was evident in signs and miracles, in requests for baptism, prayer, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter and John preached and taught. In the heady days of revival, it is vital that a firm grounding of faith is laid. For Samaria, persecution was no doubt on the way and great courage would be needed.

Apply

We must continually search our motives as well as our actions, so that we do not contaminate the good God is doing. Take a moment for a heart examination.

Closing prayer

Lord, I praise You for the strengths I have. May they be submitted to Your purposes and used for Your glory.

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