Acts 8:9-25

Introduction:

Heretic Kenneth Copeland is greatly responsible for the encroachment of modern heresy into the Church. Since the 1970's the Church began to drift from the teaching of sound doctrine into the obsession for miracles and dynamic “praise and worship”. As the movement grew, so also the spread of extra-biblical "revelation". "New revelation.

Kenneth Copeland is considered to be the most prosperous and well-known in the "Word-Faith"/"Positive Confession" movement. His television program is carried nationwide on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, and he is the author of numerous charismatic-oriented books and articles. Copeland's daily Believers’ Voice of Victory television broadcast is available to more than 76 million households on nearly 700 stations in the United States. An estimated 82 million households are able to receive the Sunday broadcast over more than 600 stations, and the broadcast can be seen on about 135 International stations. Copeland also publishes the monthly Believer's Voice of Victory magazine.

As the name "Word-Faith" implies, this movement teaches that faith is a matter of what we say more that whom we trust or what truths we embrace and affirm in our hearts. A favorite term in the Word-Faith movement is "positive confession." It refers to the Word-Faith teaching that words have creative power. What you say, Word-Faith teachers claim, determines everything that happens to you. Your "confessions," that is, the things you say -- especially the favors you demand of God - -must all be stated positively and without wavering. Then God is required to answer.

Why did Philip, go to Samaria to evangelize?

In Acts 8:4–8 we are reintroduced to Philip, one of the seven deacons from Acts 6:5. Philip is the first missionary—in the modern sense of the term—mentioned in the book of Acts, and the first person to be given the title of “evangelist” (Acts 21:8).Because of the persecution in Jerusalem, we are told that Philip went “down to the city of Samaria” (Acts 8:5). Samaria was the region of Canaan where people with a mixed Jewish and Gentile heritage resided, which was the result of Assyrian reallocation of peoples

We see a man name Simon the Sorcerer, sometimes referred as Simon Magus or Simon of Gitta who was know to “amazed all the people of Samaria” (Acts 8:9). Even though Sorcery was common in the ancient world and, while some acts and demonstrations were no more than illusions of the mind, others were empowered by Satan in an attempt to discredit the power of God

Matthew 24:24 & 2 Thessalonians 2:9. Sorcery is strongly condemned by God Deuteronomy 18:9-13.

What is interested here is that in Acts 8:13, “Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.” By Simon getting baptized and believing doesn't mean here necessary that he was saved. James reminds us in James 2:19 “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” F.F Bruce wrote “If no record of these later accounts existed, it is doubtful whether anyone would dispute the face value account of Simon’s conversion. However, granting that Simon was a genuine believer, it is obvious that he possessed an immature faith which was superficially grounded in miracles and displays of power. He became close to Philip, perhaps to ascertain Philip’s power source

In Acts 8:9–13, we encounter Simon, a sorcerer from Samaria, who had impressed the people with his magic and claimed to be a great power of God. However, when he witnessed the genuine miracles performed by Philip, he also professed belief. This episode highlights the dangers of:

Pride and self-exaltation: Simon boasted about his abilities and claimed divine status, seeking praise and recognition from others.

Deception and manipulation: By practicing sorcery, Simon misled and captivated the people through illusions and occult practices.

(tell story on how when you were a detective people would pray the elderly and have them send them money through Green dot cards.)

Spiritual emptiness: Despite his outward displays of power, Simon's heart remained untouched by genuine faith until he witnessed the true power of God.

Fickleness in belief: Simon's apparent belief in Philip's miracles was superficial, driven more by a desire to maintain his influence than a genuine change of heart.

Ultimately, Simon's example serves as a warning against relying on false powers and superficial faith, urging us to seek genuine spiritual transformation grounded in the truth of God's word.

In Acts 8:14–18 “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money”

Actions according to the passage:

Believe and be baptized: Like Simon, believe in the teachings of Jesus and undergo baptism.

(Talking about putting your-faith in the belief that you have and walking with the Lord. Example would be that you believe in a plan that it could take off but would you trust it enough to fly in the plan. )

Follow the teachings of Jesus: Follow Jesus closely, just as Simon followed Philip.

Pray for the Holy Spirit: Seek the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit through prayer.

Seek the laying on of hands: If you haven't received the Holy Spirit, seek out those who can pray for you and lay hands on you for this purpose.

Avoid seeking spiritual gifts for personal gain: Learn from Simon's mistake and avoid seeking spiritual gifts for selfish reasons or personal gain.

Read Acts 8:19–25 “and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “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. 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.” Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.”

Certainly, here's a breakdown of Acts 8:19-25:

Acts 8:19-25 (NIV):19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

22 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.

23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Breakdown:

Simon's Request: Simon sees the apostles laying hands on people and wants to purchase this ability for himself so he can impart the Holy Spirit to others.

Peter's Response: Peter rebukes Simon harshly, denouncing his attempt to buy spiritual gifts. He tells Simon that his heart is not right before God and warns him to repent of his wickedness and pray for forgiveness.

Simon's Response: Simon, realizing his error, asks Peter to pray for him to avoid the consequences of his actions.

Continuation of Ministry: After addressing Simon's situation, Peter and John continue to preach the word of the Lord and testify about Jesus in Samaritan villages.

Key Points:

Inappropriate Request: Simon's desire to purchase spiritual gifts for personal gain is condemned by Peter.

Repentance: Peter urges Simon to repent of his wickedness and seek forgiveness from God.

Acts: Witnesses to the World Simon’s Simony (8:18–25)

Peter’s insightful diagnosis was that Simon’s heart was not right toward God. Simon was enslaved to sin, “in the bondage of iniquity,

Prayer for Forgiveness: Simon acknowledges his mistake and asks for prayer to avoid the consequences.

Acts: Witnesses to the World Simon’s Simony (8:18–25)

Simon’s response is feeble, ambiguous, and ultimately unsatisfying. Lacking confidence to pray to God himself, he fearfully requested that the “super-powerful” apostles pray for him. Although Simon’s genuine fear of Peter’s curse was evident, his genuine repentance was not so apparent

Continuation of Ministry: Peter, John and Philip concluded their ministry in Samaria by strengthening the foundational grassroots of the Samaritans. In the past, the apostles had gone out of their way to bypass the villages of Samaria (Matt. 10:5; Luke 9:56), but this time they passed directly through each population center on their way, preaching the Samaritan circuit as they returned to Jerusalem

Consequences of Wrong Intentions: Simon's desire for power and status highlights the importance of purity of heart and right motives in seeking spiritual gifts and serving God.

Overall, this passage emphasizes the importance of sincerity, repentance, and humility in our approach to spirituality and ministry.