4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
9 A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. 10 Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as “the Great One—the Power of God.” 11 They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.
12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”
20 But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”
24 “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”
25 After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News.
Do you see how Simon the sorceror was completely missing the point. He didn't see that the true power was from God, nor that he had to submit to the Sovereignty of Him. No one else could pray for him. He had to make his heart right with God and repent of his sin directly to the Lord. Now we don't know what happened as Simon the sorceror isn't mentioned again.
The same is for us, however, that need to get right with God comes down to us alone. I remember a Pastor's wife telling about how she had a dream. She had died and found herself outside the gates of heaven. They were shut and locked. She was pounding on them yelling "I'm the Pastor's Wife!" She said with great emotion in her voice that all she heard in reply was, "Go away from Me. I don't know you."
You see, she was relying on her relationship with man, not with the God most High. The only relationship that is valid in the transaction of eternal life is with God.
Only you can make that decision. Not your Grandmother dragging you to church. Not your family who all believe. Not your history of being good. No. Only by knowing and being known by the Creator of the universe. Having a right relationship with Him. Knowing He sent His only Son Jesus to die for your sins so you can be clean and worthy in his sight.
Pray. Ask. Seek. He will respond.
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