上帝的能力

上帝的能力
聖經閱讀：使徒行傳8:9-11,18-25 現代中譯本|合和本
2014年5月11日(日)

上帝警告他的子民以色列人，不要牽扯到來自魔鬼的任何事情。申命記18：10b-11說：「不可占卜，觀兆，行法術，用符咒，求問鬼神或死人的陰魂。」 　今天的經文告訴我們一個叫作西門的人，「他的邪術曾經轟動了撒馬利亞居民」（第9b節）。他看見彼得和約翰按手在基督徒身上，並透過聖靈賜給他們特別的能力。西門也想要擁有這樣的能力，所以他就拿錢給彼得和約翰。但是彼得卻指責西門，說他「居然妄想能夠用錢買上帝的恩賜！」（第20b節）。 　西門並不瞭解上帝的能力，他認為可以花錢買到它。西門不明白上帝將祂的能力和愛白白賜給相信並跟隨耶穌的人。 　上帝白白賜給你祂的救恩禮物和永生，你是否已經接受了祂的禮物呢？ —SH* 「上帝所賜白白的恩典是讓我們在主基督耶穌的生命裏得到永恆的生命。」 羅馬書6：23b 禱告：天父，謝謝祢白白賜給我救恩的禮物。奉耶穌的名，阿們！ (王亭惠譯)

God’s Power
Bible Reading: Acts 8:9-11,18-25
Sunday, May 11, 2014

God warned His people, the Israelites, not to have anything to do with things from the devil. Deuteronomy 18:10b-11 says, “Don’t try to learn what will happen in the future by talking to a fortune teller or by going to a magician, a witch, or a sorcerer... Don’t let any of your people become a medium or a wizard.” 　Our Bible Reading tells us about a man named Simon who was “doing magic and amazing all the people of Samaria” (verse 9b). He saw that Peter and John laid hands on Christians and gave them special powers through the Holy Spirit. Simon wanted to have this power, too, so he offered money to Peter and John. But Peter rebuked Simon and told him that he couldn’t “buy God’s gift with money” (verse 20b). 　Simon did not understand God’s power. He thought that he could buy it. Simon did not realize that God freely gives His power and love to those who believe and follow Jesus. 　God offers you His free gift of salvation and eternal life. Have you accepted His gift? —SH* “...God gives his people a free gift — eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23b PRAYER: Father, thank You for Your free gift of salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.