DAILY BIBLE DEVOTION: Acts 8:4-25 (Good News Translation) God’s Guiding Word Introduction Acts 8:4-25: The followers of Jesus begin to preach the Good News throughout Judea and into Samaria. Philip goes to Samaria and converts many people, including Simon, a magician. Peter and John are sent to Samaria and, after placing their hands on the believers, the people receive the Holy Spirit. Todays Scripture: Acts 8:12 When they believed Philip’s message about the good news of the Kingdom of God and about Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Todays Reading The Gospel Is Preached in Samaria 4The believers who were scattered went everywhere, preaching the message.5Philip went to the principal city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to the people there.6The crowds paid close attention to what Philip said, as they listened to him and saw the miracles that he performed.7Evil spirits came out from many people with a loud cry, and many paralyzed and lame people were healed.8So there was great joy in that city. 9A man named Simon lived there, who for some time had astounded the Samaritans with his magic. He claimed that he was someone great,10and everyone in the city, from all classes of society, paid close attention to him. “He is that power of God known as ‘The Great Power,’” they said.11They paid this attention to him because for such a long time he had astonished them with his magic.12But when they believed Philips message about the good news of the Kingdom of God and about Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.13Simon himself also believed; and after being baptized, he stayed close to Philip and was astounded when he saw the great wonders and miracles that were being performed. 14The apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had received the word of God, so they sent Peter and John to them.15When they arrived, they prayed for the believers that they might receive the Holy Spirit.16For the Holy Spirit had not yet come down on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18Simon saw that the Spirit had been given to the believers when the apostles placed their hands on them. So he offered money to Peter and John,19and said, “Give this power to me too, so that anyone I place my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit.” 20But Peter answered him, “May you and your money go to hell, for thinking that you can buy Gods gift with money!21You have no part or share in our work, because your heart is not right in Gods sight.22Repent, then, of this evil plan of yours, and pray to the Lord that he will forgive you for thinking such a thing as this.23For I see that you are full of bitter envy and are a prisoner of sin.” 24Simon said to Peter and John, “Please pray to the Lord for me, so that none of these things you spoke of will happen to me.” 25After they had given their testimony and proclaimed the Lords message, Peter and John went back to Jerusalem. On their way they preached the Good News in many villages of Samaria. Reflect Simon, the magician in today’s reading, used his magic to tell fortunes. He believed what Philip taught (verse 13) but later wanted to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit (verses 18, 19). What was his motive? How did Peter respond (verse 20)? What does today’s reading teach you about being a follower of Jesus? Pray Loving God, empower me with the gift of your Holy Spirit so that I might proclaim the good news of your love and salvation to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Prayer Concern Those preparing for baptism
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 23:14:17 +0000
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