The book of Acts offers much more than just Christian history, it offers good theology for Christians living in today's modern culture. The story of Simon the magician in Acts 8:9-25 is a story every evangelist needs to study. Simon was a man who practiced sorcery and magic in Samaria and he boasted that he was someone great. However, one day Philip came to town "preaching the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ." This passage states that the men and women of Samaria were baptized en masse, and it also says that "Simon himself believed and was baptized," Following his baptism Simon was following Philip everywhere and was astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw Philip perform. But, did Simon really believe or was he simply fascinated with the works performed by Philip, since they were like his own trade of magic?
Philip had done his job, he shared the gospel message of Christ and Simon stated he believed, so Philip most likely baptized him. After hearing about the good news that "Samaria had accepted the word of God," Peter and John came to town. When Peter and John arrived they prayed that the Samaritans would receive the Holy Spirit since it had not yet came upon the Gentiles, so Peter and John placed their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. What's important to understand here is that the book of Acts presents no set pattern for the receipt of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Spirit is connected with the laying on of hands, sometimes not. Sometimes coming of the Spirit precedes baptism, sometimes it follows.
But back to Simon. When he saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on the apostles hands he offered them money so he could be given this power. Peter rebukes Simon harshly by stating that "he would have no part in this ministry, because his heart was not right before God." Peter goes on to tell Simon to repent and that "he saw that Simon was full of bitterness and captive to sin" (Acts 8:23).
But how could this be? Scripture said that Simon "believed and was baptized."
So here is what we need to know.....just because a person professes belief with their mouth, doesn't always mean they believe in their hearts. Simon professed belief to Philip, but their was never an inward change that occurred. Simon professed his belief and even followed through with baptism, but he still manifested the signs of his old unregenerate nature. Simon never truly believed, he was "still captive to sin." Peter didn't possess the power to see into Simon's heart as Jesus did, he observed his visible fruit by his actions and determined that Simon was not a genuine believer. Something every evangelist must do as we share the gospel. In fact its often been said that Simon responded to greed, not to the gospel, in other words, Simon was attracted to how he might be blessed by "this Jesus" he had just learned about and professed to believe in. Similar to those who buy into the prosperity gospel preachers in our modern culture.
The evangelist sows the seeds of the gospel, but must be careful to discern which people are genuinely broken over their sins and understand their need for forgiveness. Churches are already full of false converts so we must discern and proceed with caution before asking for decisions.It's always been the Holy Spirit's job to grant salvation, not the sower. Pressure doesn't benefit the soul, it leads to false assurance. How a person comes to the point of salvation is a mysterious thing that only the Spirit knows.
What became of Simon? Many early church fathers believe he became the father of all Christian heresy known as Gnosticism.
Philip had done his job, he shared the gospel message of Christ and Simon stated he believed, so Philip most likely baptized him. After hearing about the good news that "Samaria had accepted the word of God," Peter and John came to town. When Peter and John arrived they prayed that the Samaritans would receive the Holy Spirit since it had not yet came upon the Gentiles, so Peter and John placed their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. What's important to understand here is that the book of Acts presents no set pattern for the receipt of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Spirit is connected with the laying on of hands, sometimes not. Sometimes coming of the Spirit precedes baptism, sometimes it follows.
But back to Simon. When he saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on the apostles hands he offered them money so he could be given this power. Peter rebukes Simon harshly by stating that "he would have no part in this ministry, because his heart was not right before God." Peter goes on to tell Simon to repent and that "he saw that Simon was full of bitterness and captive to sin" (Acts 8:23).
But how could this be? Scripture said that Simon "believed and was baptized."
So here is what we need to know.....just because a person professes belief with their mouth, doesn't always mean they believe in their hearts. Simon professed belief to Philip, but their was never an inward change that occurred. Simon professed his belief and even followed through with baptism, but he still manifested the signs of his old unregenerate nature. Simon never truly believed, he was "still captive to sin." Peter didn't possess the power to see into Simon's heart as Jesus did, he observed his visible fruit by his actions and determined that Simon was not a genuine believer. Something every evangelist must do as we share the gospel. In fact its often been said that Simon responded to greed, not to the gospel, in other words, Simon was attracted to how he might be blessed by "this Jesus" he had just learned about and professed to believe in. Similar to those who buy into the prosperity gospel preachers in our modern culture.
The evangelist sows the seeds of the gospel, but must be careful to discern which people are genuinely broken over their sins and understand their need for forgiveness. Churches are already full of false converts so we must discern and proceed with caution before asking for decisions.It's always been the Holy Spirit's job to grant salvation, not the sower. Pressure doesn't benefit the soul, it leads to false assurance. How a person comes to the point of salvation is a mysterious thing that only the Spirit knows.
What became of Simon? Many early church fathers believe he became the father of all Christian heresy known as Gnosticism.
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