October 21, 2012
Lesson: Acts 8:9-24a;
Golden Text: “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money” (Acts 8:18).
INTRODUCTION. Many of us could easily name several preachers in our day who have caught the public’s attention because they fell into corruption. Incidents like these are reminders that any of us could fall at anytime. Our lesson this week concerns a person who seemed to be genuinely converted from his pagan lifestyle but then very quickly fell into corruption because of his love for money.
B. Simon’s influence (Acts 8:10-11).
1. (vs. 10). This verse continues to say “To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.” The term “whom” refers to the Samaritans. All those who knew Simon “from the least to the greatest gave heed” to him. This means that people of all social ranks paid great attention to Simon. They were so bewitched by him and his witchcraft that they all agreed that he was “the great power of God.” This may have been a reference to the Messiah, whom the Samaritans were also looking for (see John 4:7, 25).
2. (vs. 11). Still referring to Simon, this verse says “And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.” The reason that the Samaritans held Simon in such high regard was because he “had bewitched them with sorceries” for a long time.
III. SIMON’S PROFESSION OF FAITH (Acts 8:12-13)
B. The conversion of Simon (Acts 8:13). This verse says “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” Even Simon was among those who “believed,” or received Jesus because of the powerful preaching of the good news by Philip. He was also baptized. Because of what follows, there is some doubt about whether Simon’s faith was genuine, but this verse says that “Simon himself believed also” indicating that his conversion was as genuine as the other Samaritans. After being baptized Simon “continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” In other words, Simon followed Philip everywhere, like a true disciple captivated by the miracles and signs that Philip performed. It appears that his major interest was not the gospel, but the great signs and miracles he saw performed. His own sorceries couldn’t compare.
V. THE APOSTLES’ MINISTRY (Acts 8:14-17)
A. The men who were sent to Samaria (Acts 8:14). This verse says “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.” The apostles in Jerusalem heard about the believers in Samaria and how God was working in their midst. They then chose Peter and John, prominent men in their group, and sent them to Samaria first to see whether or not the Samaritans were truly becoming believers. Another reason they may have sent Peter and John was to establish unity between the Jewish Christians and the Samaritan Christians. It should be noted that there was a long time animosity between Jews and Samaritans (see Luke 9:51-56; John 4:9) and this could easily carry over into the church. It was necessary for the unity of the church that God establish a connection between Jewish and Samaritan believers. Therefore, it was important for Peter and John to welcome the Samaritan believers into full spiritual fellowship. B. The nature of Peter and John’s ministry in Samaria (Acts 8:15-17).
1. (vs. 15). Luke continues to write “Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.” The term “Who” refers to Peter and John. When they arrived in Samaria, these two apostles “prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.” Peter and John recognized that these new believers had not yet received the Holy Spirit, so they prayed that they would. Note: The Jewish Christians, even the apostles, were still unsure whether Gentiles (non-Jews) and half-Jews (Samaritans) could receive the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t until Peter’s experience with Cornelius (see Acts chapter 10) that the apostles became fully convinced that the Holy Spirit was for all people. It was this same John who had earlier asked Jesus if they should call fire down from heaven to burn up a Samaritan village that refused to welcome them (see Luke 9:51-55). But here John and Peter went to the Samaritans to pray with and for them.
2. (vs. 16). In this verse, Luke parenthetically adds “(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) The Samaritans who believed as a result of Philip’s preaching were “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” but they had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Note: We must remember that the book of Acts deals with a transition period from life under the law of Moses to the dispensation of God’s grace in the church age. At this time the Holy Ghost was not given at the moment a person was saved as with believers today. The gospel message was progressing as Jesus directed His disciples in Acts 1:8. It was not until the gospel began to reach the Gentiles (or the uttermost parts of the earth) as evidenced by Cornelius and his household (see Acts 10:1-23, 44-45) that the Holy Ghost was given at the time of conversion. God was not only interested in the outreach of the gospel, but also in the unity of the church. There could not be a Samaritan church and a Jewish church. Therefore, in Samaria God withheld the Holy Spirit until apostles from Jerusalem could come and bestow that seal of unity (see I Corinthians 12:13).
3. (vs. 17). When Peter and John realized that the Samaritans profession of faith in Christ had not been accompanied by the Holy Spirit, Luke tells us that “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” As mentioned earlier, the Holy Ghost was given by the laying of the apostles’ hands only at special moments. The Holy Spirit fell upon believers at Pentecost (see Acts 2:1-21) and at the house of Cornelius (see Acts 10:4-48) and no hands were laid on anyone on either of these occasions. The giving of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands lasted until the gospel was preached to the Gentiles. Thereafter, every believer (maybe with the exception in Acts 19:1-7) receives the baptism of the Holy Ghost at the moment he or she receives Jesus as Lord and Saviour (see Ephesians 1:13). The giving of the Holy Spirit to the Samaritans assured them that they were equal to the Jewish believers. Note: Today there is no delay in receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. At the very moment of faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit baptizes, or identifies and unites the believing sinner with all other believers, thus making them one in Christ (see Romans 8:9; Ephesians 4:3-6). That unity of all believers is vividly expressed in I Corinthians 12:13, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews, or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” No longer do people receive the Holy Spirit as a result of someone laying hands upon them. The apostles have passed from the earthly scene. The transition stage of the church is over.
V SIMON’S PROPOSAL (Acts 8: 18-19)
A. Simon’s error (Acts 8:18). This verse reminds us that at anytime all of us are subject to fail. This verse says “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,” Even though Simon “believed” according to verse 13, when he saw that the Holy Ghost was given “through laying on of the apostles' hands,” being a former sorcerer, no doubt he thought it was a magic trick and he desperately wanted to be able to do it. As a result he tried to bribe Peter and John, for “he offered them money.” Simon’s error was two-fold. First, he viewed the Holy Spirit and His work just like he viewed his own sorcery. Second, he thought he could buy it with money.
Simon sought to buy the power of God (Acts 8:19). Desiring to be able to do what the apostles did, Simon said to Peter and John “Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.” The word “power” actually means “authority.” Simon was trying to buy the same authority the apostles had to bestow God’s power. He wanted to be able to lay hands on anyone and give them the Holy Ghost. Note: It appears that Simon still had his old trade in mind. To him what the apostles had just done was similar, but superior to what he used to do. Maybe he had paid to learn his own magical arts and thought he could do the same thing with Peter and John. Maybe he saw a way to make some quick money the easy way. Everyone who tries by his or her own efforts to earn favor with God is in fact doing what Simon tried to do. They are trying to purchase God’s grace. But grace cannot be purchased or earned. By its very nature it has no price. It’s interesting that today the term “simony” taken from Simon’s name is used to describe the purchase of a church office, position, or an ecclesiastical preference.
VI. SIMON REBUKED BY PETER (Acts 8:20-24)
A. Simon condemned (Acts 8:20-21).
1. (vs. 20). Horrified at Simon’s offer, “Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” Peter scolded Simon for thinking that the power of God could be bought with money. The phrase “Thy money perish with thee” was a warning that he might perish along with his money. The reason that Simon was in jeopardy of perishing was because he “thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” The Holy Spirit is Himself a gift from God (see John 15:26; 16:7; Acts 2:38; 10:45) as is every aspect of His salvation (see Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8). Gifts are never purchased by those to whom they are given. Simon’s sin was trying to buy what God gives freely as a gift.
2. (vs. 21). Peter went on to say to Simon “Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” The word “matter” is literally “word” which indicates that Simon had no relationship to the gospel message. As far as Peter was concerned, Simon’s heart was “not right in the sight of God.” It appears that Simon made a profession of faith, he believed, but not to the saving of his soul. There is a difference between “profession” and “confession.” Profession is merely lip service, but confession involves repentance, or a change of mind. Many people profess Christ but don’t know him (see Matthew 7:21-23). They, like Simon, declare themselves to be God’s children, but they are not (see Titus 1:16).
B. Peter admonishes Simon (Acts 8:22-23).
1. (vs. 22). Peter then said to Simon “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” Peter urged Simon to repent of his wickedness and pray to God. To “repent” means more than sadness over one’s “wickedness” or sin. It is a complete change of mind concerning one’s sin. It is a matter of turning away from sin and turning to God. The phrase “if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” means that if Simon prayed to God for forgiveness, whether or not God forgives him will depend on the condition of his heart. In other words, God’s forgiveness is dependent upon a person’s genuine repentance or will to forsake his or her sin. It is always not just the sin, but also the intention of one’s heart that needs forgiveness.
2. (vs. 23). Peter also said “For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.” Peter had determined by the fruit that he saw in Simon’s life that he was not right with God. The phrase “gall of bitterness” refers to an unpleasant and harsh disposition (see Hebrews 12:15). “Iniquity” of course, is any unrighteousness. Simon’s entire behavior was completely opposite of what God expected. Satan had him bound with the chains of sin.
C. Simon’s plea (Acts 8:24). Our final verse says “Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.” No doubt Peter’s strong words caused Simon to be terrified. As a result, he asked Peter to “Pray ye to the Lord for me.” Peter told Simon to pray to God for forgiveness in verse 22, but here Simon asked Peter and John to pray for him. It’s quite possible that Simon thought Peter’s prayer carried more weight with God than his would. But what is interesting here is that Simon wanted Peter to pray “that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.” Simon was more bothered by being punished for his sin (see verse 20) than he was about having a changed heart and being right with God. Note: We don’t know what happened to Simon since our lesson ends abruptly with no further mention of him. Whether he was saved or not we don’t know. That was an issue between Simon and our God. However, church tradition often painted a negative picture of him. What we do know from this lesson is that the faith God demands must be uncorrupted by ulterior motives and desires.
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