This is part 3. It’s a little longer because this story is longer. Still, God can be seen and this story has Philip and two apostles in it. Yet there are many reasons why we need to say, Lord help us.
Oh Lord, show us the realness of Jesus.
Acts 8 – Amplified Bible this time Verses 9-24.
Please read verses 9-11
Simon the former Magician
9 Now there was a man named Simon, who previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. 10 They all paid [a great deal of] attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God!” 11 They were paying attention to him because for a long time he had mystified and dazzled them with his magic.
Acts 8:9-11
Look what they called him. Oh how we can be mislead by things we can see. Be very careful what you praise and where you put your faith. There is only One worthy of both.
Please read verses 12-13
The Real God Gets Preached. Lord Help Us.
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the [c]good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon believed [Philip’s message of salvation]; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he watched the attesting signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.
Acts 8:12-13
Even Simon believed and was baptized. Oh Lord, Philip must have been a great preacher. This salvation he is offering is not just free but true and real salvation. For anyone who would believe, deliverance, freedom, healing, salvation and so much more.
Please read verses 14-17
The Apostles Come
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that [the people of] Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 They came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for He had not yet fallen on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus [as His possession]. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them [one by one], and they received the Holy Spirit.
Peter and John, oh how I love Peter and John. Here we can see where Philip was preaching. Close enough that Peter and John could go and help them get the gift of the Holy Spirit. A gift given by the laying on of their hands.14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that [the people of] Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 They came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for He had not yet fallen on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus [as His possession]. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them [one by one], and they received the Holy Spirit.
Does verse 16 reveal anything to you?
Please read verses 18-24
A Risky Misunderstanding, Lord Help us.
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 authority and power too, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your money be destroyed along with you, because you thought you could buy the [free] gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart (motive, purpose) is not right before God. 22 So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, this thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are [d]provoked by bitterness and bound by sin.” 24 But Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me both of you, so that nothing of what you have said will come upon me.”
Footnotes
[c] good news – Acts 8:12 In ancient Greece the word translated as “good news” or “gospel” was used to denote any good fortune, including success in a battle.
[d] provoked by bitterness – Acts 8:23 Lit in the gall of.
“but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit and His power [by attributing the miracles done by Me to Satan] never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin [a sin which is unforgivable in this present age as well as in the age to come]”—
Jesus in Mark 3:29
They tell Simon his heart is not right with God, for he is provoked by what? Bound by what? Do you think he can be forgiven? He didn’t violate Mark 3:29, but his heart is not right. Perhaps he should pray, Lord help me.