magic and power

Good morning everyone,
So after Philip preached the good news in Samaria and many people came to the Lord, Peter and John come to check things out. When they find out the Holy Spirit hasn't filled these new believers they lay hands on them and the Spirit comes. It's interesting because before this usually when people were baptized in Jesus' name the Spirit came right away, but the Spirit does whatever she wants.

We met Simon that magician yesterday and were told that he had been a crowd pleaser because of his magic. In yesterday's passage he came to faith, though that seems to have been at least in part because of the wonders Philip was doing. Today he asks the apostles to sell him the power of giving the Holy Spirit. Peter rebukes him and Simon repents; one can't buy God's favor or the Spirit's power. It's interesting that even though the wonders of God's power attract him, Peter's simple rebuke sets him on the right track.
blessings,
Sam

Acts 8:14-25

14Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.


18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! 21You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.” 24Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.” 25Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.