Daily Devotional. But there was 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: And to him they, (the townspeople) had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. (Preacher Philip comes to town). But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, (they Believed the Gospel and forgot about Simon), they were baptized, both men and women. THEN SIMON HIMSELF BELIEVED ALSO: AND WHEN HE WAS BAPTIZED, HE CONTINUED WITH PHILIP, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. (For as yet he, (The Holy Spirit) was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they (the Apostles Peter and John), their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, HE OFFERED THEM MONEY, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. THOU HAST NEITHER PART NOR LOT IN THIS MATTER: FOR THY HEART IS NOT RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, Acts 8:9, 11-13, 16-22. This story has a happy ending, Simon asked for Forgiveness, changed his ways, and assumedly walked rightly with the Lord. Notice, the Gospel was Preached, Simon’s life was changed, BUT THERE WAS NO REPENTANCE. His heart had not changed. (Today, we would have called him a Christian and sent him on his way). Discernment was used, Simon was corrected, Repented, and then he could Truly Walk with the Lord. This is the Power of The Gospel. Repent, Be Saved, and, Be Blessed.
