Luke the physician wrote how Philip the apostle of Jesus went to Samaria to share the gospel, and he did so many miracles that there was great joy in the city. However, “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. To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women”, and in chapter eight and verse thirteen of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Simon himself believed also” where we read:
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized,
he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
The verse begins, “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, ...” Luke began with the words, “then Simon himself” which means “at that time Simon whose name means a rock or stone his own self” “believed also” or “even so and indeed trusted in, relied upon and clung to Philip's words concerning the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ”: “and when he was baptized” which means “and at the time and moment Simon was immersed, submerged and cleansed by dipping” the following happened. Luke shared how “Simon” also became a “believer” in God's Kingdom and Jesus Christ His Son, and when Simon was “immersed in water”, the following occurred.
The verse continues, “... he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.”. Luke added the words, “he continued with Philip” which means “Simon adhered to, was adherent to and persevered with Philip whose name means lover of horses and was an apostle of Jesus”, “and wondered” or “and was amazed, astonished and thrown into wonderment”, “beholding the miracles” which means “observing, seeing and noticing the strength, power, and influence” “and signs” or “and tokens and portents” “which were done” that means “that were made ready, performed and produced”. Luke shared how “Simon” stayed with “Philip” after he was baptized and was amazed by the “power and portents” that were performed by him.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “preaching” of “Philip” concerning the “Kingdom of God and His Messiah Son Jesus Christ” was believed by “Simon”. He was “baptized” and became a follower of “Philip” and was “amazed” by the “miracles and signs” that “Philip” performed. We can imagine since “Simon” was a “magician”, he was particularly interested in the “miracles”. We shall see what happens with him in our next few verses, but for now let us realize “Simon” began with the right response to the gospel. He believed, was baptized and began to follow one of Jesus' apostles. Those who yield themselves to Jesus like “Simon” will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life, so may everyone reading these words submit themselves to Jesus and receive the miraculous grace of God that lasts forever and ever.
Next time Luke shares what happened, “when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word 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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