Deliverance
Acts 8:5-17
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Thought For Today:
The devil will always have a trick up his sleeve. He is a deceiver. You know, It’s no longer uncommon to see palm reading businesses springing up from town to town. Many people buy the paper just so they can see what their horoscope says. Instead of trusting God, many people put their trust and confidence in men as they seek for an immediate answer. When Phillip went down to Samaria they found that the people had been spell bound by a fortune teller. But once Phillip began to preach and teach them about Jesus Christ, they were baptized and even the fortune teller himself was baptized. In this scripture we learn that an understanding of Jesus Christ will break the yoke of bondage. Paul told Timothy, "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will" (2 Timothy 2:24-26). People are trapped today, but a clear understanding of the gospel will always set the captive free. Jesus is the answer for the world today.
