Real Power Is Given, Not Bought

After Stephen’s death, the disciples were scattered because of the violence.

Stephen may have been buried by the Apostles or other devout Jews.

Someone had to lead those who stayed behind as more homes were invaded and people were imprisoned, tortured, and killed.

After Stephen’s death, Saul was emboldened by the approval of the violent mob.

He gave their actions some legitimacy from the Pharisees.

He motivated the people with the fear that Christians were trying to replace them as God’s chosen people.

When Philip arrived in Samaria, he proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, and performed signs and wonders.

Philip was not one of the Apostles but a Deacon: serving others first and preaching in his spare time.

People were healed and delivered from the demonic.

“There was great joy in the city” – vs. 8

Many came to believe in Jesus Christ, including Simon.

Simon was a professional magician

He thought of himself highly, and some proclaimed him as “the Great Power of God.”

Some even set up a statue in Rome and inscribed on it “to the holy god Simon.”

Found in the Tiber River in the sixteenth century.

Simon became convinced of the power of God shown through the disciples and was even baptized.

The content of Simon’s actions was the display and spectacle of tricks.

It is possible the Gnostics claimed their root from him.

Peter and John were sent to Samaria because they heard Samaritans had accepted Jesus Christ.

The people had not received the Holy Spirit as was expected at baptism.

The Apostles prayed over and anointed them to receive the Holy Spirit.

Simon was so impressed, he offered to the Apostles money for it.

This is considered the Pentecost of the Samaritans.

The people must have exhibited outward signs of the Spirit being received, because Simon was so impressed, he offered to the Apostles money for it.

We often want the cheap and quick solution.

Sometimes it’s easier to buy a thing than build it yourself.

When you don’t build something yourself:

you don’t need to know how it works.

you may not need to know every feature.

you may not even know the difference in quality.

When you build something:

your learning and empowerment comes from others who came before you.

your life becomes involved in it.

your heart become involved in it.

it inspires your dreams.

The kingdom of God is built heart to heart, person to person, and from God to all humanity.

Simon was a fan of the great signs and miracles performed by Philip

But, he wasn’t listening for the reason.

At the moment that Simon was ready to buy more tricks to add to his bag, Peter rebukes him.

Simon may have believed...

Simon may have believed what the disciples said about Jesus and baptized into the Body of Christ, but he missed the entire point: God is the gift that is being given.

It seems, Simon did not want to do the hard work of heart change.

Simon shows in his willingness to buy the filling of the Spirit, that he himself still has not received the Spirit.

Simon could NOT earn or pay his way to being filled with the Spirit.

Whether with money or good deeds, Simon could NOT earn or pay his way to being filled with the Spirit.

After his rebuke, he asked Peter to pray for him.

But, he asked that nothing bad would happen to him.

He did repent or ask for forgiveness for his bitterness [toward God; prideful of self] and sin.

He did not renounce sorcery or turn from it.

He might still try to make an income off of his magic tricks.

History would prove, that is what he continued to do.

The Apostles returned to Jerusalem to preach the gospel to the Samaritans along the way.

Paul did not invent sharing Christian faith among non-Jews, God was already there.

Paul, then Saul, benefited from the sharing of the gospel to the Samaritans, as all Jews have since the beginning of the church until now.

The Holy Spirit empowers those who seek God with pure hearts.

Like Simon, sometimes, we need to be reminded that we can never earn a place with God or receive the power of God.

If we acknowledge our sins and failures and ask the Lord for help, our hearts are purified in God.

God will not hesitate to fill us with his Holy Spirit and empower us to overcome evil with good.

The power of God is never given to us to make us great.

The Holy Spirit purifies us so that we can be in ministry and mission demonstrating a pure heart.

The Holy Spirit empowers us so that we can demonstrate the sovereignty of God.

Through this every person is made a whole new creation, and all of creation is restored to God.

This is what we anticipate and have hope for, the coming kingdom of God, the one who loves us, heals us, and sets us free.

How will you demonstrate the miraculous love of God?

Do so with pure hearts and open hands, ready to love and serve.