Acts 8
Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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We will pick up in Acts 8 after Stephen has been martyerd and what you will find is that due to the rising persecution we will see a rise in the spread of the Gospel because Christians are now scattering and going to new areas and they are continuing to spread the gospel.
Now Samaritans they had their own form of the pentateuch which is the Greek term of the first five books of the bible. The samaritans continued looking for a prophetlike messiah who would restore the true worship on Gerazim. The Jewish people looked at them as half breed s and heretics so there was hostility between them until Philip went on mission in to Samaria which aligned with the vision of the Gospel.
Lets start in Verse 1.
Simon was a Samaritan magician who did many tricks and the people followed him and believed that he was some great man of power until they heard the message of Jesus from Philip and was impressed with the signs and wonders.
The New American Commentary: Acts Peter and Simon (8:18–24)
Simon had not responded to the gospel; he had responded to greed.
The New American Commentary: Acts Peter and Simon (8:18–24)
Simon had not responded to the gospel; he had responded to greed ( excessive desire to accumulate material gain, wealth , power, food beyond what is neccessary.)
The New American Commentary: Acts Conclusion to the Samaritan Narrative (8:25)
Christianity has nothing to do with magic; magic is powerless before the genuine power of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit can neither be manipulated nor bought. Simon illustrated that. A proper response to God’s gift of salvation is much more than simply a “what-is-in-it-for-us?” approach. It involves genuine commitment in response to the work of God’s Spirit
Have you truly responded to the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Simon as a magician was impressed by the signs and wonders and wanted to be able to do them him self and offers a payment for Gods spirit and we all know there is nothing we can do to pay for Gods Holy Spirit it is given to those who have believed and followed Jesus
