Simon the Magician Believes

Acts 8

9 But there was a man named Simon, m who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, n saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, o "This man is the power of God that is called p Great." 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had q amazed them with his magic. 12 But when r they believed Philip as he preached good news s about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, r they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And t seeing signs and u great miracles 1 performed, v he was amazed.

14 Now when w the apostles at Jerusalem heard that x Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them y that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for z he had not yet a fallen on any of them, but b they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then c they laid their hands on them and d 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, e "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God f with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for g your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, h if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in i the gall 2 of bitterness and in j the bond of iniquity." 24 And Simon answered, k "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, l preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 8:11
    And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
    Acts 13:6
    When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 5:36
    For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.
  3. Cross References
    Acts 14:11
    And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!
    Acts 28:6
    They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
  4. Cross References
    Acts 19:27 - 28
    And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 8:9
    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.
    Acts 8:13
    Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
    Galatians 3:1
    O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 16:33 - 34
    And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
    Acts 18:8
    Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
    Mark 16:16
    Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
  7. Cross References
    Acts 16:33 - 34
    And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
    Acts 18:8
    Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
    Mark 16:16
    Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
  8. Cross References
    Acts 1:3
    He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
  9. Cross References
    Acts 8:6 - 7
    And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 19:11
    And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul.
  11. Cross References
    Acts 8:9
    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.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 8:1
    And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
  13. Cross References
    Acts 1:8
    But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 2:38
    And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  15. Cross References
    Acts 19:2
    And he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.
  16. Cross References
    Acts 10:44
    While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.
    Acts 11:15
    As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.
  17. Cross References
    Acts 19:5
    On hearing this, they were baptized in the name...
    Acts 2:38
    And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized...
    Acts 10:47 - 48
    "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these ...
    Matthew 28:19
    Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,...
    1 Corinthians 1:13
    Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? ...
    1 Corinthians 1:15
    So that no one may say that you were baptized i...
    Galatians 3:27
    For as many of you as were baptized into Christ...
  18. Cross References
    Acts 9:17
    So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
    Acts 19:6
    And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
    Acts 6:6
    These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
    Hebrews 6:2
    And of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
  19. Cross References
    Acts 2:4
    And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
  20. Cross References
    2 Kings 5:16
    But he said, "As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none." And he urged him to take it, but he refused.
    Daniel 5:17
    Then Daniel answered and said before the king, "Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation.
  21. Cross References
    Isaiah 55:1
    Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
  22. Cross References
    2 Kings 10:15
    And when he departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him. And he greeted him and said to him, "Is your heart true to my heart as mine is to yours?" And Jehonadab answered, "It is." Jehu said, "If it is, give me your hand." So he gave him his hand. And Jehu took him up with him into the chariot.
    Psalms 78:37
    Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.
  23. Cross References
    Daniel 4:27
    Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.
    2 Timothy 2:25
    Correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
  24. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 29:18
    Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the Lord our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit.
    Deuteronomy 32:32
    For their vine comes from the vine of Sodom and from the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of poison; their clusters are bitter.
    Hebrews 12:15
    See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.
  25. Cross References
    Isaiah 58:6
    Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
    Ephesians 4:3
    Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
    Colossians 3:14
    And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
  26. Cross References
    Exodus 8:8
    Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, "Plead with the Lord to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.
    Exodus 9:28
    Plead with the Lord, for there has been enough of God's thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.
    Exodus 10:17
    Now therefore, forgive my sin, please, only this once, and plead with the Lord your God only to remove this death from me.
  27. Cross References
    Acts 8:6 - 8
    And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did.
    John 4:39
    Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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