Acts 8 tells the story of two men: Simon the Magician and Philip the Evangelist.
Simon seeks the fame of his own name, and the increase of his own influence. Philip seeks the fame of the name of Christ, and the increase of His kingdom in Samaria.
Drawing attention to Jesus is a good sign of God being with someone who speaks with authority in the public sphere. What Simon failed to see, and what we often forget, is that the power of God could not be bought because the price has already been paid.
The Spirit, and His power, is available to us in Christ. The lack of those power encounters in our lives is not normal. It is sub-standard Christianity that we should not settle for.
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