Bible Society of South Africa
Ds Hein Barnard

Forgiveness – Day 18

Philip, as well as Stephen who had been stoned to death, was one of the 7 men chosen to support the ministry of the apostles (Acts 6). Simon was a magician in Samaria and according to verse 13, believed and was baptised too. Magicians were influential people in their communities.

Itekisi yeBhayibhile

UMSEBENZI WABATHUNYWA 8

9Kuloo dolophu kwakukho indoda egama linguSimon, owayesenethuba elide esenza izimanga phakathi kwamaSamariya ngemilingo yakhe. Wayezenza uthile obalulekileyo. 10Zaye iindidi zonke zabantu kuloo dolophu zimhlonela. Babesithi unamandla obuthixo, bembiza ngokuthi nguMandla-makhulu. 11Babemhlonele kuba wayesebamangalise ixesha elide ngemilingo yakhe. 12Kodwa bathi bakukholwa yintshumayelo kaFilipu yeendaba ezimnandi ezingolawulo lukaThixo oluthwasileyo negama likaYesu Krestu, kwabhaptizwa amadoda kwanamakhosikazi. 13NoSimon wakholwa, waza akuba ebhaptiziwe akahlukana noFilipu, ekhwankqiswa yimimangaliso nemiqondiso awayeyenza uFilipu.

14Bathi bakuva *abathunywa eJerusalem ukuba abantu baseSamariya balamkele ilizwi likaThixo, bathumela uPetros noYohane khona. 15Bakufika khona babathandazela abakholwayo ukuba bamkele uMoya oyiNgcwele, 16kuba wayengekabafikeli uMoya oyiNgcwele; nto nje babebhaptizelwe egameni leNkosi uYesu. 17Aba bantu bamamkela uMoya oyiNgcwele, bakuba ooPetros noYohane bebabeke izandla.

18USimon akubona ukuba bamkele uMoya oyiNgcwele, bakubekwa izandla ngabathunywa, wafuna ukubanika imali ooPetros noYohane, 19esithi: “Nam ndipheni la mandla; khon' ukuze nabani na endimbeke izandla afumane uMoya oyiNgcwele.”

20Waphendula wathi uPetros: “Hamb' uye kufa kunye naloo mali yakho, kuba ucinga ukuba isipho sesisa sikaThixo singathengwa ngemali! 21Akunanxaxheba kulo msebenzi wethu, kuba iingcinga zakho azilunganga phambi koThixo. 22Guquka kule nkohlakalo yakho, uthandaze ukuba uThixo akuxolele ngale nto inje, 23kuba ndiyabona ukuba unekratshi elilizothe, waye ulikhoboka lokungcola.”

24Uthe ke uSimon kooPetros noYohane: “Ndincedeni, zinkosi, nindithandazele eNkosini ukuze zingandihleli zonke ezi zinto nizithethileyo.”

25Emveni kokuba benike ubungqina beluthetha udaba lweNkosi kwabo bantu, uPetros noYohane bagoduka, baya eJerusalem. Endleleni yabo egodukayo bazishumayela iindaba ezimnandi kwiilali ezininzi zaseSamariya.

UMSEBENZI WABATHUNYWA 8:9-25XHO96Vula kumfundi weBhayibhile

Serving God with the wrong motive

There are different views whether Simon had genuine saving faith when we read the whole reading.  His ability as a magician did not come from God and he thought that he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit to perform even greater miracles.

There is no possibility that salvation, forgiveness of sins or the power of God can be bought!  This is only possible through a contrite heart, a humbleness and willingness to confess and break with sins. 

Simon’s reaction to Peter’s words was to ask Peter to pray for him.

Bible Society of South Africav.4.24.4
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