Wicked Intentions

Intro

Last week we looked at Stephen. This week we look at Philip.

Acts 8:4–25 CSB

So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and amazed the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God.” They were attentive to him because he had amazed them with his sorceries for a long time. But when they believed Philip, as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he followed Philip everywhere and was amazed as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed. When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. After they went down there, they prayed for them so that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit because he had not yet come down on any of them. (They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart’s intent may be forgiven. For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by wickedness.” “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” So, after they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they traveled back to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Understanding the situation.

Two options: Simon was truly saved and struggling in this situation. OR Simon was never truly saved but went through the motions.

Proclaim As You Go

When scattered because of persecution, Phillip preaches to others about Jesus!

“So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word.”

He performed signs as he was proclaiming the Gospel.

The exercise of gifts of the Spirit:

Certainly a sign for the beginning of the church.

Not limited to the Apostles.

Though some things were. (later)

The only direct accounts we have are from the Apostles, the 7 deacons, and those who are specifically called.

Though there are verses that may suggest more ordinary believers were involved in miracles.

It is not reported that all or even most believers were involved in the more traditional understanding of miracles.

Nothing says they have ended.

Certainly less prevalent and also abused today.

They were abused then also and corrected.

Most credible reports in my opinion reflect the same thing that was seen in the early church - where the Gospel is new to the listeners.

So what is he preaching?

The same thing Stephen did:

Our sin.

Christ’s Work.

Our Response.

What should we learn?

Proclaim as we go.

Family

Friends

Neighbors

Coworkers

Strangers

Don’t talk yourself out of it.

Start small:

Pray for them

Invite them to church!

Give someone a Gospel Tract.

Don’t limit yourself.

Grow in ability and boldness:

Learn to tell your story.

Learn to use an evangelism tool.

Have Gospel Conversations.

Often these will end in inviting someone to church!

Let your words be accompanied by your works.

You may not be casting out demons, and healing people.

BUT your actions can still show the authenticity of your faith.

Think of the fruits of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22–23 CSB

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

A life marked by the Holy Spirit is still the best proof of our faith to the lost.

Apologetics are great. But the work of the Spirit is better.

When we proclaim the Gospel as Phillip did, the best result is that people will respond. When they do we should...

Celebrate and Examine

When the people responded. They were baptized and accepted as brother and sisters.

Even the sorcerer Simon was included in that number.

Because of this we should...

Celebrate the salvation of believers.

When the Gospel is presented accurately and clearly, we should generally accept the response.

Through simple questions we can identify if people understand what they are doing.

Though the Bible does not mention this practice.

The Bible typically seems to take the approach of: Accept the profession, baptize, and their faith will be sorted out.

Understanding the difference in culture.

Understanding the difference in audience.

Times when questioning a response is valid. Any time you have reason to be concerned.

Young children.

People well acquainted with the Gospel.

People coming at the same time as others.

People responding when the message was presented improperly or in a confusing way. (i.e. at a funeral “if you want to see grandma again, get saved today”)

Beyond that: Any time you have a real reason to be concerned.

Times when questioning a response may not be necessary.

The person was opposed to the Gospel strongly before.

Responding will cost them something.

The Gospel was presented clearly and the person’s response is in kind.

They express evident sincerity.

Even though we accept responses and celebrate, we should also...

Examine their lives for the fruit of their salvation.

When the apostles in Jerusalem hear this (part of how we know this was Philip the deacon not the apostle) they sent Peter and John to them.

They went to examine the reports of what they heard.

They prayed they would receive the Holy Spirit, and they did.

This was evidence of their salvation.

They also encountered Simon.

Simon was a sorcerer prior to this conversion.

He was fixated on the signs that Philip performed.

Simon offered Peter money for the ability to confer the Holy Spirit.

This was something that we only see the Apostles or those specifically called to do.

Essentially Simon was seeking to by the rights of the office of the Apostles.

This is where the name for the sin of “Simony” comes from. Seeking to purchase a position within the church.

Ex. Paying to be a deacon or something of that nature.

Peter responds harshly to Simon.

“Your heart is not right before God.” “You are poisoned by bitterness” “You are bound by wickedness”

This brings up a question. Was Simon saved? What we know is that...

Faith Saves - Not Works

Two options: Simon was truly saved and struggling in this situation. OR Simon was never truly saved but went through the motions.

Faith is what saves. Not praying a prayer and being baptized.

Simon did what the others did that were saved.

He was amazed by the miracles.

He was envious of that power (as he worked by deception)

The people that followed him turned to Jesus.

He didn’t want to lose his attention and power.

His actions could not save him.

Only faith in the work of Christ could.

We should be aware that not all who pray a prayer and are baptized are saved.

We need to understand that.

Our Works Reveal Our Heart

The believers who received the Holy Spirit showed this evidence in their lives.

Beyond that a saved life produces fruit.

Peter calls out these actions in Simon’s life because of his actions.

Peter saw the intentions of Simon’s heart.

He called these out for Simon’s sake. Because of this confrontation, he had the opportunity to truly repent.

We should celebrate growth in Christ.

We should encourage and celebrate that exhibit evidence of a genuine faith.

We should be Calling Out Inconsistencies

When we see things that concern us, we should talk to people so they have the opportunity to repent.

Speaking the truth in love.

Our Response Reveals Our Reality

We don’t fully know Simon’s fate.

At the very least, this passage ends with an open ending for Simon. Would he repent of his sin and be right before God? Or would he persist in his wickedness?

The result would show his status with God.

This is not what matters, his story serves to us a warning of false belief and what to do when confronted with it.

We also see that… Peter and John preached in the villages of the Samaritans as they traveled back.

This response showed their understanding that the Samaritans were in on the promise.

Previously thought of for the JEws.

This understanding prompted their faithfulness in sharing the Gospel.

How have you responded?

Have you believed genuinely or gone through the motions?

Is there evidence of your salvation?

Are you proclaiming as you go?

Inviting?

Sharing the Gospel?

Are you calling others to faithfulness?

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