Jesus had told the apostles that “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Since that time, the church had remained in Jerusalem. It wasn’t until the church experienced “great persecution” (8:1) that it began to move into the regions of Judea and Samaria. The apostles remained in Jerusalem for the time to oversee the affairs of the mother church.
Philip, one of the seven, made his way to a city in Samaria and began preaching there. The Lord accompanied his preaching with miraculous signs of healing and casting out of demons (vv. 4–8). His preaching and healing ministry was so powerful that a magician named Simon became a follower of Jesus Christ. However, when Peter and John came down from Jerusalem to see what the Lord was doing among the Samaritans, Simon observed the Holy Spirit’s power.
As Peter laid hands on the new believers, they received the Holy Spirit. Simon wanted this power. He offered to purchase it with money. Peter rebuked him! Peter said, “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. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin” (vv. 22–23).
Simon responded to Peter by asking, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me” (v. 24). It is not clear if Simon genuinely repented or if he just wanted mercy from God so he would not perish. What is clear is that not everyone’s motives are pure when they encounter Jesus.
Go Deeper
We have no control over others’ motives. But we should continually examine ours. What is your motive for following Jesus? Is it for what you can get out of Him?
Pray with Us
Heavenly Father, we praise You for loving us no matter the condition of our hearts. Please help us have the right motives for following You. Show us where we have strayed from genuine faith.
A great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem.Acts 8:1
