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Introduction:
Simon the Sorcerer of Acts
8 was like us, a convert who continued to struggle with
temptation. Quickly, let us remind ourselves of Simon’s story
and what we learned this morning.
Simon had astonished the people of Samaria for some time with his
magic tricks (Acts
8:9-10). When Philip came to town, the Samaritans
abandoned Simon for the truth. Even Simon was converted (Acts
8:13). When the apostles learned about the salvation of
the Samaritans, Peter and John traveled to Samaria to impart
spiritual gifts upon the new Christians. According to vs.
18-19, Simon offered Peter and John money for the ability
to pass on spiritual gifts. Peter’s response was very
straightforward and clear, Simon was sinning (Acts
8:20-23). Vs.
24 indicates Simon not only repented but even asked the
apostles to pray for him. From this story, we learned four
lessons. 1) Modern Pentecostal “proofs” are nothing new. 2)
Real miracles outshine the trickery of men. 3) Christians can lose
their salvation. 4) Baptism does not produce perfectly mature
Christians. These points mostly focused on contradicting error.
Tonight we continue our examination of Simon and learn some issues
about Christian living. Discussion: I.
Never prejudge who might
become a Christian. A.
The most amazing part about this story is that Simon was
converted at all (Acts
8:13). Here was an influential man in the community. He
was the leader of an occult religious group. Yet, competition
comes and takes his followers. Instead of being bitter or jealous,
instead of trying to keep up the competition, he recognized the
truth and submitted, becoming a Christian himself. B.
Lest you believe Simon didn’t really become a Christian,
notice the way his conversion is described. KJV says, “Then
Simon himself believed also …” NASB says, “And even Simon
himself believed …” That is, his conversion is put on par with
all those who believed (Acts
8:12). C.
Would you have expected this? A liar, false teacher and
leader of a false religious movement turns to Christ and becomes a
Christian? But it happened. Who would have expected Paul to be
converted? Who would have expected the people mentioned in I
Corinthians 6:9-11 to be converted? It is easy to look at
people and think they are too immoral, they are too entrenched in
false doctrine, their family is too devoted, etc. and think they
are a lost cause. How many of us did someone else think was a lost
cause? I can tell you about those of whom I was sure conversion
would come, and they won’t even talk to me anymore. Never
prejudge, only teach. When Jesus gave the great commission in Mark
16:15, He didn’t say, “Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to those you think are likely to obey.” He
said preach it to all. That commission comes to us, as we have
been taught to follow all that the apostles were commanded.
Let’s teach and let the taught make their own choices. II.
Don’t bring in your baggage. A.
According to Gareth Reese’s New Testament History: Acts, “The idea that such knowledge
could be purchased also would have come from his background in the
occult. It was the custom of the time for novice enchanters to
purchase the secrets of magic from previous masters in the magic
arts” (p 326). Simon was not acting as an upstart rebel. He was
simply applying to Christianity the baggage he had brought along
with him, that is, that he could buy power. Peter quickly set him
straight. Simon’s baggage didn’t apply to Christianity. B.
Others did this. The Jews tried to bring in circumcision (Acts
15:5). The gentiles were warned by the apostles not to
bring in their idol sacrifices, eating blood and things strangled
and fornication (Acts
15:29). These were all issues of bringing baggage into the
church. C.
Paul makes it clear, get rid of your baggage in (II
Corinthians 6:14-16). God’s kingdom has nothing to do
with the kingdoms of men. Don’t bring in your baggage. Rely on
God’s word. D.
I recognize we cannot possibly approach the Bible without
preconceived ideas. We all have ideas about what is right and what
is wrong. Those things come from our upbringing, our society, our
prior study, etc. We can’t get rid of those thoughts. We can
recognize those ideas and lay them alongside scripture to see if
they correspond. If we discover our ideas don’t correspond, we
need to replace them with new ideas, based on the Bible. When you
become a Christian, check your baggage at the baptistery and leave
it there. III.
A Christian deals with sin by repentance and seeking
forgiveness. A.
I am often asked, if baptism is how a person initially
enters Christ (which it is), then what must a Christian who sins
do, be baptized again and again and again? Here is a great place
to learn this lesson, because here is a Christian who needs to
re-enter Christ. He is now in the gall of bitterness and the
bondage of iniquity. How did Peter respond to him? B.
Acts
8:22
is clear, Simon was to repent of his wickedness and pray that God
would forgive him. Peter did not tell him he had to be baptized
again. This parallels I
John 1:9. If we confess our sins, God is faithful to
forgive us. This passage teaches us a little about Peter’s
statement to Simon saying “if possible.” The question was not
about God’s willingness to forgive. He has promised forgiveness
if we repent and confess our sins to Him. He wishes that all will
come to repentance (II
Peter 3:9). C.
Repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of
action. It is motivated by the sorrow and guilt we feel for our
sins, but is not the sorrow and guilt we feel. II
Corinthians 7:10 demonstrates the relation between sorrow
and repentance. When John the Baptist preached he taught about
repentance in Matthew
3:8. Repentance is not just in the mind, it is in action.
If there is no change of action, there is no repentance. D.
Notice, Peter didn’t say anything to Simon about going
before the congregation. That is not a part of being reconciled to
Christ. For some reason, some people get the idea that coming
forward after a sermon equals repentance before God. That is just
not the case. I don’t know from where that idea comes because we
have certainly never taught that. Perhaps it is just a
misunderstanding of what people see. Coming forward is nothing
more than a convenient way to inform the congregation that you
have recognized sin in your life, you are changing and need help.
As far as your relationship with God, you don’t have to wait for
the invitation to repent and confess your sin to God. You can do
that right now. Change your attitude and thinking of the sin and
determine not to do it again. Humble yourself before God in
prayer, confessing your sin and asking for forgiveness and you
will be forgiven. IV.
The straightforward approach to sin is best. A.
In our society of tolerance and fear of offense, we often
feel as though sin must be handled with kid gloves, lest the
sinner be upset and scared off. But notice how Peter deals with
Simon. B.
Keep this in perspective. Simon was not an upstart rebel.
Simon was a young in the faith, immature Christian. He was not
grounded and educated fully in the way of Christ. He made this
request, not because of rebellion, but because of his background
and ignorance. He probably didn’t even realize what he was doing
was wrong. Nor had he considered the sinful nature of his
motivations. In short, as we have already noted, he was where we
often are. C.
Yet, Peter blasts him. I am unsure that I have ever heard a
rebuke such as this given to anyone in my lifetime. Peter didn’t
play around. His response contained three parts. 1.
He clearly explained the truth (Acts
8:21). Simon had no part in the ability to pass gifts to
others. His money could not buy that ability. 2.
Peter explained the status of Simon’s soul, without
pulling any punches (Acts
8:23). Peter didn’t vacillate and waver on this. He
clearly explained Simon’s state. 3.
Peter explained what Simon needed to do in response (Acts
8:22). D.
This is how we should respond to sin. Instead of being
afraid we will drive people away, we need to be open, honest,
straightforward and up front with the truth, explaining the
sinner’s situation and explaining the response the sinner needs
to take. If the sinner wants to serve God, they will respond as
Simon did, not only repenting but also asking for your
intercession. E.
And of course, we also learn from this how to respond when
someone approaches us with sin. Humbly seeking intercession from
others and forgiveness from God. Conclusion: Simon was not some apostate rebel; he was a Christian, struggling with temptation as we all do. His story teaches us so much. But his lessons do us no good if we do not follow his example, believing and obeying the preaching of the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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