Manna Ready to Eat

Acts 8:21 (NLT)“You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God.” Todays verse is the one I mentioned a few days ago that has wording that has led some to say Simon was not previously born again, and others to believe he is, but was in a backslidden state with wrong motives. Let’s look at the phrase “your heart is not right with God”, and the difference with what Peter said and what some scholars affirm he meant.  Joseph Benson, an early Methodist minister interpreted Peter's meaning here as:“His offering money for a spiritual gift...

Acts 8:20 (NLT)“But Peter replied, "May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God's gift can be bought!”Here we see the beginning of Peter's rebuke to Simon, who thought he could purchase the power of the laying on of hands. We must fully understand that all that the Lord gives are gifts. They cannot be earned nor bought. He is a good Father, and the giver of good gifts. James 1:17 (NLT)“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or...

Acts 8:19 (NLT)"Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!"Today's verse is the latter part of what we saw yesterday where Simon who was once a sorcerer offered the Apostles money to try and obtain this same power. He most definitely had the wrong motive and didn’t truly understand the principles of the Kingdom. We are going to see Peter confront him on this matter starting in tomorrow's verse. When seeking the Lord for anything we must ensure our motives are pure. Scripture tells us...

Acts 8:18 (NKJV)“And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,”Today's verse is one that is going to lead into a holy confrontation with Simon and Peter. Now remember that Simon was a sorcerer, one who was practicing magic and doing false miracles.Acts 8:9-10 (NKJV)“But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is...

Acts 8:17 (NLT)“Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”Today’s verse shows us the power of the laying on of hands. Scripture is clear in many verses about the laying on of hands, and the power of God that is imparted. I am going to share just a few.Here we see Jesus lay His hands on the children to bless them.Mark 10:16 (NKJV)“And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.”Here we see Jesus laying His hands to heal.Luke 4:40 (NKJV)“While the sun was setting,...