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JUNE 27

19:25 scoffer…simple…understanding. 8:10,11 the great power of God. Simon
Three classes of people are noted: 1) scoffers claimed to be united to God.The early church
are rebuked for learning nothing; 2) simple- fathers claimed he was one of the founders of
tons are warned by observing the rebuke of Gnosticism,which asserted there were a series
the scoffer; and 3) the understanding deepen of divine emanations reaching up to God.
their wisdom from any reproof. They were called Powers, and the people
believed he was at the top of the ladder.
Acts 8:1–25
8 Now Saul was consenting to his death. and astonished the people of Samaria, claim-
At that time a great persecution arose
against the church which was at Jerusalem; ing that he was someone great, to whom they
10
and they were all scattered throughout the all gave heed, from the least to the greatest,
regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apos- saying, “This man is the great power of God.”
2
tles. And devout men carried Stephen to his 11 And they heeded him because he had aston-
burial, and made great lamentation over him. ished them with his sorceries for a long time.
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached
the things concerning the kingdom of God and
the name of Jesus Christ, both men and
13
women were baptized. Then Simon himself
8:1 consenting. Paul’s murderous hatred of
all believers was manifested here in his atti- also believed; and when he was baptized he
tude toward Stephen (1 Tim. 1:13–15). scat- continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing
tered. Led by a Jew named Saul of Tarsus, the the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jeru-
persecution scattered the Jerusalem fellow-
ship and led to the first missionary outreach of salem heard that Samaria had received the
the church. Not all members of the Jerusalem word of God, they sent Peter and John to
15
church were forced to flee; the Hellenists, them, who, when they had come down,
because Stephen was likely one, bore the prayed for them that they might receive the
16
brunt of the persecution (11:19,20). except Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon
the apostles. They remained because of their none of them. They had only been baptized in
devotion to Christ, to care for those at the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid
17
Jerusalem, and to continue evangelizing the hands on them, and they received the Holy
region (9:26,27). Spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through the lay-
8:3 he made havoc of the church. “Made ing on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit
havoc” was used in extrabiblical writings to was given, he offered them money, saying,
19
refer to the destruction of a city or mangling “Give me this power also, that anyone on
by a wild animal.
whom I lay hands may receive the Holy
Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish
3
As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, with you, because you thought that the gift of
entering every house, and dragging off men God could be purchased with money! You
21
and women, committing them to prison. have neither part nor portion in this matter, for
4 22
Therefore those who were scattered went your heart is not right in the sight of God. Re-
everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip pent therefore of this your wickedness, and
5
went down to the city of Samaria and preached pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart
Christ to them. And the multitudes with one may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poi-
23
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accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, soned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to
7
For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, the Lord for me, that none of the things which
came out of many who were possessed; and you have spoken may come upon me.”
many who were paralyzed and lame were 25 So when they had testified and preached
healed. And there was great joy in that city. the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusa-
8
9
But there was a certain man called Simon, lem, preaching the gospel in many villages of
who previously practiced sorcery in the city the Samaritans.
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