January 23, 2008 Acts 8:5

01/23/2008

Acts 8:5 - 6 (HCSB)

⁵Philip went down to a city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to them. ⁶The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing.

Acts 8:9 - 13 (HCSB)

⁹A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and astounded the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great. ¹⁰They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God!” ¹¹They were attentive to him because he had astounded them with his sorceries for a long time. ¹²But when they believed Philip, as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. ¹³Then even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he went around constantly with Philip and was astounded as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed.

Acts 8:18 - 21 (HCSB)

¹⁸When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, ¹⁹saying, “Give me this power too, so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”

²⁰But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought the gift of God could be obtained with money! ²¹You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God.

There are powers at work in this world that we don’t understand. Here, in Samaria, this man named Simon was a magician, performing all kinds of tricks that amazed the local people. In fact, he was called “the Great Power of God.” Of course, we know from the text that he was anything but godly. So when the apostle Philip arrived, the acts he performed amazed even Simon the magician. The people, even Simon, believed Philip and the message he proclaimed.

Yet this Simon still didn’t understand that the things Philip did were done for the glory of God, not for himself. Simon offered money to be taught this power to bestow the Holy Spirit.

Isn’t that typical also of our generation? We believe that we must in some way earn or buy anything worth having.

But the truth is that God’s miracles have never been for simple entertainment. Every miracle has been done for a specific purpose and with the end result being glory to God. Satan assists in forms of magic that mimic God’s miracles. Remember that Pharaoh’s magicians could replicate the miracles and signs of Moses. I don’t understand what powers Satan has, but I do know that I want nothing to do with it. Satan’s tricks serve only to destroy and distract our focus from God.

I am suspicious of these popular magicians who perform truly astounding feats. I am not saying they are satanic, however, I am not ruling that option out. Remember, Satan does have power in this world and gives it to whomever he pleases. If any “miracle” does not bring glory to God, then you should avoid it. Rather, you should seek the glory of God and if He performs miracles in your presence, then praise Him all the more.

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