Acts 8:1-25

After Stephen's death, Saul began earnestly persecuting Christians, dragging them off to prison. At this time, Philip went to Samaria to preach the word of God. Many believed in the name of Christ and were baptized.

God will never let His word die. He has commissioned many people through the years to take His message throughout the world. If God has not called you to be a missionary, spend some time praying for His missionaries throughout the world. Pray that they would be bold and that God's word would impact the people who hear it.


A man named Simon who had been impressing the people with magic also came to believe in Jesus. When Peter and John came to lay hands on the people so they might receive the Holy Spirit, Simon was amazed and offered money so that he could have this power too. Peter told him it was not something that could be bought and that he needed to pray to God so that his heart might be changed.

No one can buy their way into heaven, but instead, God freely offers everything He has to us. If we believe we can buy God's power or His favor, we do not understand who He truly is.