SHORT, AND TO THE POINT!

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Bible-Based Commentary

Verses 9-10 of Acts 8 tell of a popular so-called "man of God" who was famous and rich, but lost and on his way to hell! Many assume certain evangelists etc., are called of God because the preachers have a popular following and and a hefty bank account. I wonder how many of these men and women are simply practicing a type of sorcery, and playing religious games in public settings?

Verses 12-13 of Acts chapter 8 tells how Simon APPEARS to trade his sorcery for true salvation, after seeing the REAL POWER of God that was present in His apostle's. Note how Simon BELIEVES and is BAPTIZED, and begins to follow after the apostle's on their journey preaching Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Verses 18-22 of Acts 8 reveals how this "baptized believer" is in fact a greedy lost sinner. He made his fortune pretending to be a man of God, and a man having special powers to do miracles, yet he was simply a deceiver. (like his father the devil)

Finally Peter tells Simon in no uncertain terms, he has NO PART in God's ministry. He tells Simon he had better repent, and ask God to forgive him.

God certainly uses well known evangelists to preach the gospel, but "popularity" is not a sign a particular preacher is ordained of God. If the primary message preached is not the gospel of salvation as presented in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, their focus is off basis. If we hear the word of God but "believe in vain," we need to transfer our knowledge of the bible from our HEAD into our HEART...

Need forgiveness for your sins? If so, you can repent of your sins, and receive Jesus Christ as both Lord and Saviour. The gospel of salvation is simple, and it clearly tells us how sinners can be made into a "new-creation" in-Christ:

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