Luke the physician wrote, “when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, ...”, and in chapter eight and verse nineteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Simon said, “give me also this power” where we read:
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
The verse begins, “Saying, Give me also this power, ...” Luke began with the word, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” “give me also” or “grant, bestow, furnish and supply to me, Simon, even so and indeed” “this power” which means “the ability, authority and influence Simon observed”. Luke shared how “Simon” told “Peter and John” to grant to him the “ability and authority” he observed in them.
The verse continues, “... that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.”. Luke added the words, “that on whomsoever I lay hands” which means “that upon whatever person whether male or female I, “Simon”, set, put and place physical hands”, “he may receive” or “that person whether male or female may claim, procure and possess” “the Holy Ghost” which means “the sacred, pure, morally blameless and ceremonially and religiously consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son”. Luke shared how “Simon” wanted the “power” to be able to lay his hands upon people so they could “receive” the Holy Spirit of God.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Simon” told “Peter and John” to give to him the “power” to lay hands on people so they would receive the Holy Spirit of God. We will see how “Peter and John” respond in our next verse, but let it be known that the supernatural works of God including salvation and the falling of His Holy Spirit are God's work to distribute. He desires a personal relationship with everyone who will yield themselves to His Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”, and He will save them from their sins and give them His Holy Spirit to have the “power” to live a righteous life. Let everyone who reads these words closely examine the actions of “Simon” and never think the things of God may be purchased with temporal wealth.
Next time Luke shares how Peter told Simon, “your money perish with you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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