
Here's a little something from an old school friend that I thought some of you might like. Thanks for the post Jon Leatherwood. Hope things are going good for ya. Anyways, here it is:
Act 8:9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.
Act 8:10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great."
Act 8:11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Act 8:13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
Act 8:14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,
Act 8:15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
Act 8:16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 8:17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Act 8:18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
Act 8:19 saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Act 8:20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
Act 8:21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
Act 8:22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
Act 8:23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity." Act 8:24 And Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
Last Sunday I was sitting in church, and the man who was calling for the offering said “If you put in 5 dollars, you’ll get 50 dollars worth of blessing!” Prosperity Gospel garbage that is rather popular in many parts of Africa, including Liberia. I decided to look at a story of someone in the Bible trying to buy a blessing; trying to buy the Holy Spirit. So I remembered this story and have read it several times this week. There are several points that intrigue me. First of all, these people believed in Christ, were baptized, but had not yet had the Spirit of the Lord fall on them. This was precipitated by the prayers of the apostles. Hmm. I believe in Christ, I have been baptized with water, but the Spirit of the Lord falling on me? I don’t remember that… I don’t remember anyone praying over me for that either. I want that. I have wanted that, but I have sought it in the wrong way. It was then that I realized that I was like Simon the Magician.
I have seen the power of the Spirit of God, in my parents and others, and have wanted that power to be displayed in me. So I tried different ways to get it. I tried going to a Christian college, spent thousands of dollars, looking, I believe, for the power of the Spirit of God, but not finding it. I found academia, knowledge, but little heart, and no Spirit power. I am like Simon the Magician. I’ve tried to buy a gift. ‘Will this end? It goes on and on, over, and over and over again. Keep spinning around I know that it won’t stop, till step down from this for good.’ That is a line from what has been my favorite song for 6 years, Sick Cycle Carousel by Lifehouse.
It is a song about trying… Trying, and failing to buy a gift. What was Simon’s motive in wanting to buy this gift? To have the power, so that he could lay hands on others and they might receive the Holy Spirit too. Is that so wrong? Simon wanted to pray for people and have them receive the Holy Spirit. It sounds to me like he wanted to people to be saved! I want to be filled with the Spirit and used by the Spirit, to the glory of God and for the salvation of souls too!
Simon wanted to be used by God, but I think that he was also interested in his own glory. He wanted the power of God so that he, Simon, would be glorified as well. I too find this pride in my heart. May God have mercy. Peter said to ‘repent of this wickedness and pray that, if possible, you might be forgiven for the intent of your heart. You are in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity.’ I cry out to you, my brothers and sisters, in the words of Simon the Magician “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what [Peter has] said may come upon me.”



