ACTS - WEEK 8
NO MERCENARIES ON THE MISSION FIELD
Read Acts 8:1-25
On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Philip in Samaria
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Simon the Sorcerer
9 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.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
DISCUSS
1. What stands out to you from this passage?
2. What causes the church to spread from Jerusalem?
3. Re-Read Acts 1:8. What Elements of Jesus’ Command /Prophecy are being fulfilled in this passage?
4. From chapter 8:9-11 - What things does Simon value or purse?
5. How does Simon’s pursuit of power, greatness, and the ability to amaze make elements of the gospel attractive to him?
6. Why is Simon rebuked so strongly in verses 20-23?
7. What are some ways that we might be drawn to the christian faith with false motives?
8. This passage presents the possibility of appearing to be saved, but not actually having your heart change, tet the bible also says its possible to have confidence and assurance of faith.
Divide the following passages between the group to read in pairs or 3s.
Report-back to the group what each of these passages says about how we can be sure of salvation.
Hebrews 10:19-23
1 Peter 1:8
John 6:27
1 john 4:17
Romans 8:15-16
Romans 5:9
1 John 1:9
1 John 3:14
9. If we are feeling unsure or discouraged about our faith, what might be some things we can do, or promises we can remember in order to grow in confidence and gain peace?
SHARE AND PRAY
1. Are you feeling confident in you faith at the moment?
2. Is there anything we’ve looked at that you feel is a warning that you need to hear?