Acts 8:9-25

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. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when 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. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.” 24 And Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

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Simon was a Samaritan magician who amazed the people with his abilities and the self-proclamation that he was someone great. Everyone paid attention to him and believed he had the power of God. Their attention was based on the amazing feats he performed with his magic. But then Philip came along and preached the good news of the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ. Everyone there believed and then were baptised. Even Simon believed and was baptised. After his baptism, Simon followed Philip, probably with the intention of learning more about Christianity. When he saw the signs and miracles that Philip performed, he was amazed.

On hearing that Samaria had responded to the gospel message, the apostles sent Peter and John to them. They prayed that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit because He had not yet come on any of them. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Why the delay between their belief and receiving the Holy Spirit? Because the church was still in its infancy, the unity of the church was kept by the apostles’ direct involvement in its formation. This also validated their authority as the source of correct doctrine. God had already given the Samaritans eternal life as a result of their simple belief in Jesus, now they were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. It’s important to note that there is no distinction between the belief of the Simon to that of the other Samaritans. All were believers. All were saved.

But when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of hands, he wanted some of that action. His former life as a magician welled inside him a desire for power and fame and he offered the disciples money for that same power. But even the apostles didn’t have the ability to automatically bestow the Holy Spirit on whomever they chose. They had prayed that they would receive the Holy Spirit and only then laid hands on the Samaritans (Acts 8:15,17). Peter challenged Simon’s motives and proclaimed an earthly judgment on him that he would perish with his money because he thought he could buy God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. He was not cursing Simon, nor declaring that he was unsaved. This was a judgment very similar to Ananias and Saphira who had lied about money. Simon could have no part or role in the privilege of granting the baptism of the Holy Spirit to new believers, first because he was not an apostle, but also because his heart was not right before God. Peter encouraged him to repent, not for eternal life, but for restoration to his relationship with God through the forgiveness of his wicked intentions. Simon showed a repentant attitude and recognised the authority of the apostles by asking them to intercede in prayer for him. In contrast to Ananias and Saphira, Simon was given the gracious opportunity to repent and it seems like he sincerely made use of the opportunity.

On their way back to Jerusalem, Peter and John preached in many Samaritan villages along the way.

Simon felt the pull of the fame and glory of his former life. He was an immature believer who hadn’t yet committed to giving God all the glory. Were are you on that journey? How can you give God more glory in your life?


Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Warnings from Israel’s Past: 1 Corinthians 9-10