The physician Luke 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 in chapter eight and verse eighteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Simon, “offered them money” where we read:
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given,
he offered them money,
The verse begins, “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when Simon” which means “and at the time and moment Simon whose name mean a rock or stone” “saw that through laying on of the apostle's hands” or “observed, noticed and beheld by placing, putting and setting the physical hands of Peter and John upon the people of Samaria” “the Holy Ghost was given” which means “the sacred, pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son was granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied”. Luke shared how “Simon” observed how the “Holy Spirit” fell upon the people who believed in Samaria when “Peter and John laid their hands” upon them and took the following action.
The verse goes on to say, “... he offered them money, ...”. Luke continued with the words, “he offered them” which means “Simon presented and brought to Peter and John” “money” or “wealth, price and riches”. Luke shared how “Simon” presented “wealth and riches” to “Peter and John” after He observed what happened when they lay their hands upon the believers in Samaria.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Simon” was intrigued with what happened after Peter and John laid their hands upon the believers in Samaria. The reaction from the people caused Him to “offer money” to “Peter and John” , and we shall see how they respond to Him. “Simon” was a “magician”, and he thought what he saw was so amazing that he wanted to have the ability to do it too. God's desire is to save people from their sins through personal relationship with His Son Jesus, and He pours out His Spirit upon those who believe and trust in Him. Let all who read these words carefully examine the actions of “Simon” and never be a part of His “selfish” behavior.
Next time Luke shares how Simon says, “give me also this power”, 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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