Acts (7)

And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.  Luke 24.27

Be sure to view the video introducing our study of Acts 8 (Lesson 7) by clicking here.

Read and meditate on Acts 8.9-13.
Simon’s magic was probably pretty small stuff, more sleight of hand than occult arts, I suspect (although I wouldn’t rule those out). The fact that he himself was amazed at what Philip was doing suggests that he hadn’t done anything as grand as what Luke records in verse 7.

For reflection
1.  Card tricks? Bogus fortune telling? Delphic double-speak? Did he have others working with him to pull the wool over the credulous Samaritans’ eyes? We don’t know. But Simon was pretty impressive, to say the least. What kinds of “magic tricks” tend to impress and amaze people in our day? Are people who cling to these impressive displays any less gullible and loss than those who were amazed at Simon? Explain.

2.  But even Simon was boggled and amazed by what he heard and saw in Philip. The amazer was amazed, and he put his trust in the Lord, or so it seems. Does it seem to you that Simon was believing the Word of the Gospel in this response? Is it possible some people today have “put their trust” in Jesus for the wrong reasons? Explain.

3.  In our day the scientific community occupies the pole position on signs and wonders. And folks everywhere are impressed, even though there are perfectly logical explanations for everything science does. No matter, science today is a close to God as most people think anything or anyone could be. But science cannot match or reproduce the mighty acts of God – creation, providence, redemption, conversion, sanctification, the mission of the Church. No wonder so many practicing scientists are committed followers of Jesus Christ. Should Christians today simply sit by in silence while the wild claims of atheistic scientists dazzle the duped? Explain.

4.  “Signs and wonders” don’t always have to be of a “supernatural” sort. The love which shone out from the Christian community in Acts 6 was a sign that created wonder and conversion to Christ on the part of many. Science, while impressive, can be a little ho-hum after a while. The glory of God, reflected in creation and refracted through the transformed lives of His people, on the other hand, never ceases to impress. How might you use some aspect of the creation – some sign or wonder of God – to launch a conversation about spiritual matters?

5.  What about your life? What is God “signing” in your life to cause others to “wonder” about the truth of the Gospel you proclaim?

Summary
Signs and wonders, of whatever sort, are not sufficient to bring about true conversion to Christ. For that we need the Word of the Gospel. Meditate on 1 Peter 3.15. Suppose some unbelieving friend, wondering about some Kingdom sign he observed in your life – let’s say your consistent love, peace, and joy – were to ask you about this. What would you say?

Closing Prayer
Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake!
For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

Psalm 143.9-11

T. M. Moore

Each week’s studies in Acts are bound together into a free PDF that you can download for personal or group use (click here). Each week also features a video related to the studies of the week, which you may find helpful as you work through our studies in Acts.

Acts is the record of Christ’s ongoing work as King and Lord. For more insight into His work in our here and now, order the book, The Kingship of Jesus, from our online store by clicking here.

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