Acts 8:9-13

                                                                 Acts 8:9-13

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

 

When the Gospel arrives in any place for the first time, it always arrives in a particular context.  When Satan has reign over a people, he will seek to blind them from the truth and do all he can to destroy and deceive them.  Samaria is an example of this activity.  The city is full of disease and the people are being deceived by a sorcerer named Simon.  We get a glimpse into the reality of this place and what happens upon the arrival of the Gospel in this passage of Scripture.

 

SATAN PROMOTES IDOLATRY: Simon was a man who practiced sorcery.  We are not sure what was doing, but it appears he was doing these acts by the power of Satan.  Whatever he was doing, it must have been impressive because people from all classes and every walk of life were following him in amazement.  The key to knowing that this was diabolical activity performed by a man who had no fear of the Lord is the name they called him: “Great Power of God.” This was not worship directed at God.  It was idolatry directed at a man.  No man empowered by God would ever accept this title.  Satan is constantly striving to convince men that they are God.  Satan is convinced that he can become God.  All of this will end in tragic and horrific judgment.  It does not need to be this way.  Pay close attention to the tricks of Satan.  They can be impressive and even powerful, but they always promote some form of idolatry.  The heart of fallen man is especially vulnerable and attracted to idolatry.

 

PHILIP PROCLAIMES IDENTITY: As impressive as Simon’s sorcery might have been, it did not fill the void that every person without Christ has in their lives.  When Philip proclaimed the Gospel, explained the kingdom of God and the true identity of Jesus, the people believed.  This is what the Lord requires, that we believe the Gospel.  The people were then baptized as further identification with Christ.  He is the only true source of identity available to mankind.  Those who seek to find their identity in riches, comfort, fame, pleasure, power or any other place besides Jesus, will forever be seeking and feel dissatisfied.  The message all believers have been called to proclaim is the message of faith in the Lord Jesus.  This is what Phillip proclaimed and this is what we have been called to proclaim amongst every people group in every nation.

 

JESUS PROVIDES FOR INFIRMITY: Simon the sorcerer also believed and was baptized and then began to follow Philip around and watch Philip heal the sick and bring relief to those who were demonized.  The text says that Simon was astonished by what he observed.  The one who amazed others with his sorcery was astonished by the power of God to actually heal and set people free.  Sorcery may amaze and deceive people because Satan really just wants to enslave and destroy people.  Simon was blown away that God’s power could not only undo all the effects of his sorcery but could actually help people.  This same reality is prevalent throughout all nations of the world today.  May God empower and motivate us to set them free by the power of Christ.


APPLICATION: Beware of the vulnerability of our own hearts to be idolatrous.  Do not allow anyone or anything to distract our affections from the Lord.  Pray for the people around the world that are still enslaved to Satan and their own sinful and blinded hearts.  Proclaim the liberating and saving Gospel of Jesus to all whom the Lord places in our path. Pray for those who are ill and in spiritual bondage to be healed and set free by the power of the Lord.

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