The physician Luke wrote how, “Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city”, and in chapter eight and verse nine of the book of Acts Luke shared about, “a certain man, named Simon” where we read:
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery,
and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
The verse begins, “But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, ...” Luke began with the words, “but there was a certain man” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover there existed a particular male human being”, “called Simon” or “whose name was Simon which means a rock or stone”, “which beforetime in the same city” which means “who in advance, previously and prior to when Philip entered the dwelling place, habitation and abode of Samaria” “used sorcery” or “practiced magic and other magical arts”. Luke shared how a particular named “Simon” practiced “magic” in the city of “Samaria” prior to the time when “Philip” came preaching the gospel and performing miracles among the people.
The verse continues, “... and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:”. Luke added the words, “and bewitched the people” which means “and astonished, amazed and threw the people both male and female into wonderment” “of Samaria” or “from Samaria which means guardianship and was a territory in Palestine which had Samaria as its capital”, “giving out that himself was some great one” which means “affirming, maintaining and advising that his own self existed as a particular and certain eminent authority and power of importance”. Luke shared how “Simon” “astonished and amazed” the “people” in “Samaria” and promoted himself as being someone who was exceptional and of “great” importance.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn about an individual in the city of “Samaria” who was not only “astonishing” the people there, but was also promoting himself to be someone “great”. This man, “Simon” by name, prior to Philip arriving in Samaria, used “magical arts” to convince the people of Samaria that he had special abilities and was worthy of their “honor and respect”. We shall see how “Simon” enters the story of “Philip” in Samaria as we continue to study, but for now let us realize people have all kinds of beliefs before they come to Jesus Christ. God knows they “believe” in other ways, things and religions, but His desire is to show them “the way, the truth and the life” which is only found in His Son Jesus. Jesus said, “no man comes to the Father, but by me” (See John 14:6), and although people may be “astonished and amazed” by the magical arts, all these things pale in comparison to having a personal relationship with God the Heavenly Father through His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ.
Next time Luke shares how the people of Samaria said of Simon, “This man is the great power of God”, 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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