Acts: The Gospel Unleashed Part 13
Notes
Transcript
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.
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.”
11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
Be aware of a counterfeit gospel.
Be aware of a counterfeit gospel.
A Counterfeit messenger - A counterfeit messenger points people away from Christ.
Simons message pointed people away from Christ.
A Counterfeit message - A counterfeit message might amuse people but it can’t save them.
A Counterfeit power -
Be amazed at the power of the gospel.
Be amazed at the power of the gospel.
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.
13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
Samaritans hear the gospel and believe. THIS IS STAGERING BECAUSE THE ETHNIC BARRIERS ARE BEING DISTORYED.
No one is beyond the reach of the gospel.
No one is beyond the reach of the gospel.
NoT Jews, Not samaritans, Not Gentiles, Not your alcoholic friend, not your addicted family member, and not you! NO ONE IS BEYONE THE GOSPELS REACH!
Be cautious of counterfeit conversion.
Be cautious of counterfeit conversion.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,
15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
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.
23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
Why does Peter and John need to come down in order for the Spirit to fall upon the Samaritans?
Luke is showing us that the Church in Samria and the church in Jerusalem are one church, who holds to one faith, and participates in the One baptism, through faith in one Lord and receives one spirit.
This is not a splinter group this is Christ’s people both jew and gentile.
But not everyone who hears the gospel - hears it.
Not everyone who sees the gospel sees it!
A counterfeit conversion professes faith but doesn’t possess Christ.
A counterfeit conversion professes faith but doesn’t possess Christ.
Simon is said to believe and be baptized.
You can express faith
you can go under the waters of the baptistry.
A counterfeit conversion seeks God’s gifts but not God’s Son.
A counterfeit conversion seeks God’s gifts but not God’s Son.
The kingdom of God is not like the kingdoms of this world.
If you have money you have power.
The New Encyclopedia of Christian Quotations Money
Nothing that is God’s can be obtained with money.
Nothing that is God’s can be obtained with money.
The world wields power through manipulation.
The world wields power through manipulation.
W.A. Chriswell said,
Money will buy luxuries, but it will not buy spiritual power. Money will buy advancement and preferment, but it will not buy the recognition of God. Money will buy sycophantic, fawning favor and accolades, but it will not buy soul-respect. Money will buy libraries, but it will not buy poetic fire or insight or wisdom. Money will buy a prostitute, but it cannot buy love. Money can buy diamonds, but it cannot buy the sparkle and light in the eye. Money can buy pleasure and entertainment, but it cannot buy happiness. Money can buy a suit, but it cannot buy a physique. Money can buy medicine, but it cannot buy health. Money can buy a house, but it cannot buy a home.
The kingdom supplies power through regeneration.
The kingdom supplies power through regeneration.