![]() Though the text doesn’t say so, we can infer that Simon wasn’t planning to offer those gifts for free. He offers the apostles money in exchange for the ability to pass along the Holy Spirit himself. Simon’s reaction, though, reveals that despite his conversion, he has come to the Lord with significant baggage. Peter and John come to town and, as only apostles can do, begin to impart miraculous spiritual gifts to others by laying hands on them. Tragically, events expose Simon to a temptation that he fails to resist. He believes in Jesus! He is baptized! Indeed, he abandons his deceptive lifestyle, following Philip and being amazed himself rather than amazing others. Rather than being blinded or getting beaten, Simon himself becomes a disciple. However, in Acts 8, the narrative doesn’t go in the expected direction. In Acts 8, this opponent is Simon, a (stage) magician who had been leading the people astray for a good while. ![]() As also happens, like Elymas in Cyprus, Sosthenes in Corinth, and Demetrius in Ephesus, an opponent of the gospel emerges, somebody who views the early church as spiritual competition. ![]() As often happens throughout the book, when someone (in this case, Philip the Evangelist) brings the gospel to a new location (in this case, the city of Samaria), it is received with joy. When it begins, the chronicle of Acts 8:4-24 looks like another one of the success stories of the early church. Thursday, FebruCategories: Bulletin Articles, M.
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