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, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. You have neither part nor lot in this matter: for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-four of the book of Acts Luke shared how Simon tells Peter, “Pray to the Lord for me” where we read:
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray to the Lord for me,
that none of these things which you have spoken come upon me.
The verse begins, “Then answered Simon, and said, Pray to the Lord for me, ...” Luke began with the words, “then answered Simon” which means “at that time Simon whose name means a rock or stone responded and gave an answer to Peter”, “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “pray to the Lord for me” which means “beg, desire, beseech and petition the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title to God the Messiah on behalf of me, Simon”. Luke shared how “Simon” begged “Peter” to “make supplication” to the “Lord” on his behalf.
The verse goes on to say, “... that none of these things which you have spoken come upon me.”. Luke continued with the words, “that none of these things” which means “so not one thing” “which you have spoken” or “that you, Peter, have uttered, declared and proclaimed” “come upon me” which means “overtake, attack or impend me, Simon”. Luke shared how “Simon” wanted “Peter” to “pray” so none of the repercussions spoken of by “Peter” would overtake him.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Simon” became desperate after “Peter” told him to “repent”. He wanted “Peter” to intercede on his behalf so nothing terrible would happen to him. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and they must “turn” from their wicked ways and receive Jesus to be their “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven. God wants people to live with Him forever, and when they yield to Him, they will be granted everlasting life and cleansing from their erroneous ways.
Next time Luke shares how the apostles, “returned to Jerusalem , and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans”, 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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