Simon’s prominence in the community is given in 8:9-11: “But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. Special attention is given to the magician named Simon. they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. His ministry is summarized in Acts 8:5 & 12: Philip went down from Jerusalem, north to Samaria. In any event, God did use the persecution to accomplish the spread of the gospel. If the believers were that lackadaisical why not just deny Christ, or not confess him openly, and return to synagogue worship? That would have been a lot easier than fleeing home. I have my doubts as to whether this was really the case.
I know there is a latent tendency in some to always assume the worst, and so I have heard that God used persecution to move these Christians into obeying the Great Commission. God will not be mocked, we can’t pretend to be a Christian, God reads our hearts and minds.In Acts 8 we have a rather perplexing account of the work of the Trinity in the salvation of Samarians and the salvation, or perdition, of Simon the sorcerer.Īs a result of the persecution ignited at Stephen’s martyrdom, the church in Jerusalem was scattered. Christianity is a heart issue, we must become Born Again with a clean heart through Christ! This is the difference between a true and false convert. Peter told Simon to repent of his sin, and his heart was not right with God. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. How many false converts do we still see today? Peter rebuked the sorcerer because Simon believed he could purchase God with money! Again we see the deity and sacredness of the Holy Spirit He didn’t really care about God, he just wanted the power of God. Simon the sorcerer wanted the power of the Holy Spirit, he was a false convert. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. There are two baptisms, the water and the spirit!Īnd when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. The Apostles laid hands on the new believers and they were baptized by the Holy Spirit. Now the interesting thing we see here is even though the believers were baptized with water, they were not yet baptized with the Holy Spirit as Jesus taught in John 3. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
This generated such a buzz that the Apostles decided to come down to Samaria to see the revival that was happening Many false prophets and teachers today try to mimic and blasphemy the Holy Spirit todayĪs Philip continued to preach the gospel many people came to Christ and were baptized. Little did Simon understand that this is not how God works. However when Philip came with the gospel and demonstrated signs and wonders via the Holy Spirit, Simon became jealous and wanted the power of the Holy Spirit. There was a sorcerer named Simon, he became very famous among the people performing magic. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Acts 8:12-14 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
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