ABOUT THIS EPISODE
We delve into Acts 8:9-12 about a man named Simon who boasted that he was someone great and so people paid attention to him thinking he had the power of God because he amazed people with his sorcery.
However....
When people believed what Philip was saying as he proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God in the name of Jesus Christ, people were baptized.
THEN…
Acts 8:13 tells us that Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip everywhere astonished by the miracles he saw.
But then the arrival of Peter and John…
Acts 8:14-17 - Peter and John show up to support and bless what Philip is doing and proclaiming. As Peter and John laid hands on the new believers the Holy Spirit came on them because the Spirit is for ALL people.
That message that it was for all also had an impact on Simon…
We read in Acts 8:18-19 that when Simon saw the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered John and Peter money asking them to give him the ability to have people receive the Holy Spirit from his hands.
Simon was a sorcerer - magician - it is obvious Simon is still walking in his old ways. We see the danger of greed.
And then we read…
Acts 8:20-21 that Peter tells Simon, "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God."
The message of Jesus is not about how can I get rich.
It is about how can I share the riches of God with others.
The gospel message is not about what's in it for me.
It's about what God has done for me and what He desires to do for others.
The Call to repentance…
Acts 8:22-23 Peter continues by saying, "Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that He may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."
But then…
Simon doesn't articulate repentance, instead he asks Peter to pray to the Lord for him so that nothing Peter has said would happen to him.
In closing…
Simon does not show up in the New Testament scripture again. But Simon does shows up in many stories written by early Christians in the 2nd 3rd and 4th centuries. 2 early dependable christian authors:
Justin Martyr Samaritan believer
Irenaeus
Are two who share more about Simon.
Twenty Centuries Later…
Simony - is the buying or selling of a church office or ecclesiastical privileges.
Another way money was used was in the buying of indulgences. (Paying for forgiveness) But it is ONLY the blood of Jesus that saves us. Redemption cannot be purchased, it is something God paid for in full and it is a gift offered to each one of us.
The question..
If you have not yet received this most precious gift of forgiveness and life forever through faith in Jesus, the question is… will you? He's waiting with open arms! And it's ALL FREE!
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