Acts: Go & Be Chapters 1-9Sample

What is this passage saying?

There was a magician in Samaria that had attracted a lot of followers to himself. He was no card magician, but one that would have mimicked the miracles of God with demonic powers. When the apostles came and proclaimed the message, he was baptized and believed on Jesus’ name. He became a convert: a very unlikely one, but he believed the Words Philip proclaimed. In the past he had attracted everyone to himself, and the true desires of his heart showed through when he attempted to buy the power of The Holy Spirit for himself.

What is this passage teaching?

Have you truly died to your sins or are you just wanting the blessings of God? Simon the magician saw the great power of God before him and wanted to believe, but when he saw the bestowing of the Holy Spirt by hands, he had to have that power for himself. We too can often come to God for what he can give us rather than a true relationship with Him. Everything comes from God and by God, let us not forget.

How do I respond?

Reflect on the desires of your heart. Is it God you want or His gifts?