You Cannot Buy What God Gives
[ READ ] Acts 8:9-25
Simon the Magician Believes
9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles[b] performed, he was amazed.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall[c] of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles[b] performed, he was amazed.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall[c] of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
The Scriptures have many things to say about our Father who loves to give good gifts (including the Holy Spirit!) to His children. (Luke 11:13, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 10:25) Simon was given a gift in the Scripture above. He was allowed a glimpse into his sinful heart. He was also given a clear path to redeem and restore the brokenness through the work and power and love of Christ in repentance and prayer.
However we also see that this is not what Simon asked for. He wanted God’s power, in the Holy Spirit, for his own purpose and his own glory. As we understand God’s Kingdom, perhaps we can see that giving Simon what he asked for was not the right move! Perhaps there have been things that you and I have asked the Lord for that are not His best gifts for you at this particular time. We can trust our Good Good Father for giving the right gift at the right time.
Do we see the gifts God gives when they are not the “asked for ones?” His best may look different, as it did with Simon. The Lord illuminates what He loves and calls us to love them too. Repentance and prayer were illuminated to Simon in this passage. Luke recorded this event, but he didn’t give us very much closure. Did Simon see the value of this gift or was he so fixated on what he wanted that he completely missed what the Holy Spirit revealed (ironically!) through Peter and John?
What good gift from the Father might you and I be missing as we are so fixated on the thing we thought would be best? Is there something God is calling you and I to repent of today before the best gift is given?
- Kim Williams
However we also see that this is not what Simon asked for. He wanted God’s power, in the Holy Spirit, for his own purpose and his own glory. As we understand God’s Kingdom, perhaps we can see that giving Simon what he asked for was not the right move! Perhaps there have been things that you and I have asked the Lord for that are not His best gifts for you at this particular time. We can trust our Good Good Father for giving the right gift at the right time.
Do we see the gifts God gives when they are not the “asked for ones?” His best may look different, as it did with Simon. The Lord illuminates what He loves and calls us to love them too. Repentance and prayer were illuminated to Simon in this passage. Luke recorded this event, but he didn’t give us very much closure. Did Simon see the value of this gift or was he so fixated on what he wanted that he completely missed what the Holy Spirit revealed (ironically!) through Peter and John?
What good gift from the Father might you and I be missing as we are so fixated on the thing we thought would be best? Is there something God is calling you and I to repent of today before the best gift is given?
- Kim Williams
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ What word does this passage start with? As a reader this word is directing us to look at the passage that comes before for context. Luke is contrasting what happens with Philip in Samaria (Acts 8:4-8) and what has been happening with Simon in Samaria. (Acts 8:9-11)
+ What contrasts do you see? Who is Philip proclaiming? Who is Simon proclaiming? What happens after their proclamations? Who gets the glory from their words/actions? How do the people of Samaria respond to each of them?
+ Why is it significant that these events happen in Samaria? What do you remember about the relationship between the Jews in Jerusalem and the Samaritans?
+ The Message (paraphrase) translates verse 11, “He (Simon) had been around a long time and everyone was more or less in awe of him.” How might you have felt if you were Simon and Philip arrived in your town and proclaimed another “Great One” and performed miracles in His name?
+ Why do you think Simon “followed Philip everywhere?”
+ Who came into the narrative in verse 14? Why might they have been sent by the apostles in Jerusalem?
+ What does Simon ask of Peter and John in verse 19? How does the rest of the passage reveal his true heart motivation for this request?
+ How does Peter respond to Simon’s request? Verse 20-23? What two specific actions does Peter tell Simon HE should do in response to what was revealed in Simon’s heart? Verse 22.
+ How does Simon actually respond? Do we see HIM accomplishing either action Peter recommended?
+ What word does this passage start with? As a reader this word is directing us to look at the passage that comes before for context. Luke is contrasting what happens with Philip in Samaria (Acts 8:4-8) and what has been happening with Simon in Samaria. (Acts 8:9-11)
+ What contrasts do you see? Who is Philip proclaiming? Who is Simon proclaiming? What happens after their proclamations? Who gets the glory from their words/actions? How do the people of Samaria respond to each of them?
+ Why is it significant that these events happen in Samaria? What do you remember about the relationship between the Jews in Jerusalem and the Samaritans?
+ The Message (paraphrase) translates verse 11, “He (Simon) had been around a long time and everyone was more or less in awe of him.” How might you have felt if you were Simon and Philip arrived in your town and proclaimed another “Great One” and performed miracles in His name?
+ Why do you think Simon “followed Philip everywhere?”
+ Who came into the narrative in verse 14? Why might they have been sent by the apostles in Jerusalem?
+ What does Simon ask of Peter and John in verse 19? How does the rest of the passage reveal his true heart motivation for this request?
+ How does Peter respond to Simon’s request? Verse 20-23? What two specific actions does Peter tell Simon HE should do in response to what was revealed in Simon’s heart? Verse 22.
+ How does Simon actually respond? Do we see HIM accomplishing either action Peter recommended?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What do you and I do when our sinful heart is exposed? Do we repent of our sin before the Lord Jesus (and others we have sinned against) and pray for His promised mercy or do we evade this difficult and humbling step of confession?
+ Has the Lord revealed a space in your life through His Word today where you want to be the Great One and receive the glory for the things the One True God has done in your life?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ What do you and I do when our sinful heart is exposed? Do we repent of our sin before the Lord Jesus (and others we have sinned against) and pray for His promised mercy or do we evade this difficult and humbling step of confession?
+ Has the Lord revealed a space in your life through His Word today where you want to be the Great One and receive the glory for the things the One True God has done in your life?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Christ Jesus, Messiah, thank you for the great things You have done. You alone are worthy of our praise and honor. Thank you for showing us the greatest act of humility as You went to the cross becoming sin so we would have no sin in your eyes. Thank you for accomplishing the greatest miracle, conquering sin and death and rising from the dead and ascending into heaven and making a way for all who believe to do the same. Because of the work You have done, we don’t have to strive, to perform, to do, to make ourselves appear to be something we aren’t. Holy Spirit, pierce our hearts so that we see where we have missed the mark today. In our sin, give us the courage to repent, to confess what you have revealed through Your Spirit. Lord Jesus, thank you that You have made a way for us to have a direct relationship with the Father. We no longer need a priest (or Peter or John!) to intercede for us. You want to hear directly from us. Today, Lord Jesus, hear my prayer!
+ Pray with me:
Christ Jesus, Messiah, thank you for the great things You have done. You alone are worthy of our praise and honor. Thank you for showing us the greatest act of humility as You went to the cross becoming sin so we would have no sin in your eyes. Thank you for accomplishing the greatest miracle, conquering sin and death and rising from the dead and ascending into heaven and making a way for all who believe to do the same. Because of the work You have done, we don’t have to strive, to perform, to do, to make ourselves appear to be something we aren’t. Holy Spirit, pierce our hearts so that we see where we have missed the mark today. In our sin, give us the courage to repent, to confess what you have revealed through Your Spirit. Lord Jesus, thank you that You have made a way for us to have a direct relationship with the Father. We no longer need a priest (or Peter or John!) to intercede for us. You want to hear directly from us. Today, Lord Jesus, hear my prayer!
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ What one thing stood out in this Scripture to you today? Why do you think this particular part of the passage stood out? Ask Father God, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, (each aspect of the Trinity separately!) what they want you to learn, meditate upon, or do with what He has shown you. The people of Samaria “paid attention” to the proclamation of the Gospel and then were baptized. Simon was called to repent and pray. The word of God never returns void. What action is God calling you to take in obedience to Him today?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ What one thing stood out in this Scripture to you today? Why do you think this particular part of the passage stood out? Ask Father God, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, (each aspect of the Trinity separately!) what they want you to learn, meditate upon, or do with what He has shown you. The people of Samaria “paid attention” to the proclamation of the Gospel and then were baptized. Simon was called to repent and pray. The word of God never returns void. What action is God calling you to take in obedience to Him today?
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