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    Acts 8:14-25
    Lesson 236
    ​
    Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

    In this lesson: 
     
    Peter and John visit Samaria.
    ​
    Simon, the magician, tries to buy the power of God.      

    Simon tries to buy "the gift of God."
    Study Tip:
     
    Ask God to open your heart before each study session.​

    The Acts of the Apostles

    The King James Bible    ​



    Acts 8:14-25
    Peter and John go to Samaria 

    14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
     
    15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
     
    16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
     
    17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
     
    18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
     
    19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
     
    20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
     
    21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
     
    22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
     
    23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
     
    24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
     
    25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

    ​
    Margin notes:
     
    "Samaria had received the word of God." (8:14) - After fleeing Jerusalem, Philip had such incredible success preaching in Samaria that Peter and John went to join him, just as Jesus said in Acts 1:8 (lesson 218).

    "Who, when they were come down, prayed for them." (8:15) - Means, "When they arrived, they prayed for the Samaritan believers." 

    "Thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." (8:20) - God's gift can not be bought, earned, or bartered for.  It comes from repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). 

    "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter." (8:21) - "You have no part or share in this ministry." 

    "Thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." (8:23) - "You are full of bitterness and in the grip of wickedness."
    ​     
    "Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me." (8:24) - Simon's words show he had repented.


                                                  New Living Translation 
     

    Acts 8:14-25            

    14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there.

    15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.

    16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

    17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
     
    18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power.

    19 "Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!"
     
    20 But Peter replied, "May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God's gift can be bought!

    21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God.

    22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts,

    ​23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin."
     
    24 "Pray to the Lord for me," Simon exclaimed, "that these terrible things you've said won't happen to me!"
     
    25 After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News.
    ​
    ​This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible.  However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
    Today's Question:
     
    1.     Why was it important for the apostles to preach in Samaria? (8:14)



    Please email your comments and suggestions.
    Answer: (Do you agree?) 
    ​
    1. Jews held Gentiles (especially Samaritans) in low esteem.  John and James once asked Jesus to destroy an entire Samaritan village because they were treated rudely (Luke 9:51-56).  For the apostles to share the good news of salvation with Samaritans was a necessary first step in making Christianity a worldwide religion.  But, this was only the beginning.  It won't be until Peter meets Cornelius (Acts 10) that the apostles will fully grasp that Jesus belongs to everyone. 
      
    Additional Note: Jesus told His disciples to "teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19).  To do that, the apostles had to be frightened out of Jerusalem by the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58-60).



    Application thought for the day: 
     
    Simon thought he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit.  
    The only way to receive the power of God is to turn from sin and towards Christ.  
    Salvation and the power of God can't be bought or sold.
    A sincere belief in God and a repentant life is all it takes. ​
    Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible."  All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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