◄ Acts 8:19 ►
"Give me this power as well," he said, "so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 8:19? 2. Why did Simon offer money for the Holy Spirit's power in Acts 8:19? 3. How does Acts 8:19 warn against seeking spiritual gifts for personal gain? 4. What Old Testament examples parallel Simon's misunderstanding of God's gifts? 5. How can believers today ensure their motives align with God's will? 6. What steps can we take to cultivate a heart of genuine faith and humility? 7. Why did Simon think he could buy the Holy Spirit's power in Acts 8:19? 8. What does Acts 8:19 reveal about the nature of spiritual gifts? 9. How does Acts 8:19 challenge the concept of transactional faith? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 8? 11. Who was Simon the Sorcerer in the Bible? 12. What is the second blessing? 13. Does Simon’s alleged sorcery in Acts 8:9–24 contradict modern scientific knowledge, or might it be explained as mere trickery? 14. In Acts 19:11-12, how scientifically plausible is it that handkerchiefs and aprons taken from Paul had healing power? Discussion Questions 1. What does Simon's request reveal about his understanding of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts? 2. How can we ensure our motives align with God's purposes when seeking spiritual gifts? 3. In what ways can the account of Simon the Sorcerer serve as a warning against the misuse of spiritual power? 4. How does the response of Peter and John to Simon's request teach us about addressing sin within the church? 5. Reflect on a time when you sought something from God with the wrong motives. How did you correct your course, and what did you learn from the experience? Acts 8 Bible Study Questions 1. How did the persecution of the church contribute to the spread of the Gospel? 2. What can we learn from Philip's ministry and his obedience to God's direction? 3. How does Simon the sorcerer's story illustrate the difference between genuine and false belief? 4. What lessons can we draw from the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch? 5. How does Saul's role in persecuting the church contrast with his later mission? 6. Why was it significant that the Gospel was being preached and accepted in Samaria? 7. What does Peter's confrontation with Simon the sorcerer reveal about the early church's stance on spiritual integrity? 8. How did the Holy Spirit guide and empower the believers in this chapter? 9. What significance does the Ethiopian eunuch's authority in his homeland hold for the spread of the Gospel? 10. How does this chapter inspire us to be open to God's leading in sharing the Gospel? 11. In the face of adversity and displacement, how would you share the Gospel like the persecuted believers? 12. How would you respond if you encounter a situation like Simon's in today's church? 13. How does the Ethiopian eunuch's eagerness to understand the Scripture challenge your Bible study habits? 14. Can you identify areas in your life where you might be behaving like Simon the sorcerer, seeking to gain from God rather than to know God? 15. How do you see the work of the Holy Spirit in your life and in the lives of others around you? 16. How can you cultivate the same obedience and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit as seen in Philip's life? 17. How would you guide someone who, like the Ethiopian eunuch, is seeking to understand the Scriptures? 18. How does the chapter challenge your understanding and response to persecution for the sake of the Gospel? 19. How can you apply the lesson of Simon the sorcerer to guard against the commercialization of the Gospel in today's world? 20. In what ways does Acts 8 inspire you to spread the Gospel in your own sphere of influence? Links Acts 8:19 NIV Acts 8:19 NLT Acts 8:19 ESV Acts 8:19 NASB Acts 8:19 KJV Acts 8:19 Commentaries Bible Hub