Acts 8:4-25
Notes
Transcript
RECAP
1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
1. This marks a transition point in the story of the early church. A “new generation” of leaders is coming on the scene
How will the old generation process this?
How will they do things differently?
2. The spread of the gospel as a result of persecution
Spider with egg sack, wall with mold, cancer
vs 4 God’s plans vs mans plans
9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Acts 8:4–25 (ESV)
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.
It would be wrong to say emphatically that the early church was in the wrong for not going out of jerusalem. The persecution was not a punishment for their disobedience and lack of willingness to spread the gospel to all people.
but God can and does use negative circumstances to accomplish his purposes
God does not punish passive aggressively
Philip Preaches in Samaria
Philip Preaches in Samaria
5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ.
Who is Philip?
Who is Philip?
Philip Character profile- one of the 7 deacons from Acts chapter 6.
Acts 6:3 (ESV)
3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.
Who are Samaritans?
Who are Samaritans?
Geographical area
Ethnic group
Religious cult
Jesus did ministry in Samaria and there were believers there already.
6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.
Purpose of miracles - to give credibility to the message. The message does not require them. Not everyone believes when they witness them.
8 So there was much joy in that city.
vs 8 joy follows true conversion
9 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.
vs 9 transitions of power are always a catalyst of conflict
Who Is Simon?
Who Is Simon?
Fantasy magic vs folk magic vs dark magic
Practicing magic was against the Old Testament law
He may have been a slight of hand con-man
He may have had demonically empowered abilities
He may have had a combination of both
He made money off of his magic
He gained power and influence because of it
vs 9 HE said he was someone great
10 The People thought of Simon as being a deity or having close personal connection to deity
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.
That is remarkable. These are the first non-Jewish people to believe in Jesus. And they are people who didn't really believe in the true God, and weren't looking for a Messiah, but the gospel was for them to
Peter and John Investigate the Samaritan Conversions
Peter and John Investigate the Samaritan Conversions
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.
What is happening here?
Indwelling vs Empowering
Indwelling ministry of the spirit -
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Yielded to him vs quenching him
Walking in step with him
Producing fruit
Empowering Ministry of the Spirit
Special supernatural enabling to do God’s will
14-17 why the delay? What is this ministry of the holy spirit?
The Samaritans did not naturally want to submit to a jewish led thing. Their instinct may have been to set up their own worship of Jesus.
The Jewish people did not naturally want to believe the Samaritans were converted. Their instinct may have been to doubt the authenticity of their belief
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.”
Why was it so bad for Simon to ask this?
1. He Was Trying to use and control God for His own selfish gains
2. He would be leading others astray
Was Simon a True Believer?
Was Simon a True Believer?
There is a lot of debate
The text does not say for sure but I think we can draw some conclusions from the evidence.
He did not LOSE his salvation
He did not LOSE his salvation
It is possible for a true believer to commit significant sins
It is possible for a true believer to commit significant sins
Old sinful patterns continue to crop up. Believers have to stay vigilant.
“Whack-a-mole”
What is Saving Faith?
What is Saving Faith?
Believe in the Existence of God, believe that you are a sinner who can not save himself, believe that Jesus accomplished salvation on your behalf, call upon the name of Jesus to be saved.
What is the result of Saving Faith?
What is the result of Saving Faith?
Transformed life - obedience to God, humility, sacrifice, the fruits of the spirit
Was Simon a True Believer?
Was Simon a True Believer?
Evidence For: He said he was.
Evidence For: He said he was.
Is everyone who says they are a believer actually a believer?
20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Is everyone who THINKS they are a believer actually a believer?
5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.
14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
Evidence Against: He wanted to use God to make money and increase his power (coming to God on his terms not God’s terms)
Evidence Against: He wanted to use God to make money and increase his power (coming to God on his terms not God’s terms)
The THOUGHT that it could be possible to buy it revealed an incomplete, inmature, man centered view of God and how he works
People naturally invent this type of God for themselves
God gives gifts for the building of the church, the expanding of his kingdom and to bring him glory
not because of human manipulation
Not because of human merit
Evidence against: Peter, prophesying in the power of the Holy Spirit described an unbeliever
Evidence against: Peter, prophesying in the power of the Holy Spirit described an unbeliever
“May your silver perish with you” “You have neither part nor lot” “heart is not right” “bond of iniquity”
Evidence against: He didn’t humbly repent before God (He asked Peter to pray for him)
Evidence against: He didn’t humbly repent before God (He asked Peter to pray for him)
Was Simon a True Believer?
Was Simon a True Believer?
We do not know for sure because he is not definitely mentioned again in the Bible. The early church tradition was that he was NOT a true believer but instead went on to be a very dangerous and effective false teacher.
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.
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them.
God changed Johns heart about the Samaritan people
So What?
So What?
Do you see your day to day experiences as opportunities or obstacles?
Do you see your day to day experiences as opportunities or obstacles?
What does God want you to be doing right now?
Is Your Faith Real?
Is Your Faith Real?
Are you humble? before God and your fellow man
Do you have joy and obedience?
Real conversion results in transformation, freedom from bondage, laying off sin, joy, EVEN changing things that are fundamental to who we are, laying aside false teaching and old ideas about God, displaying the fruit of the spirit
DON’T DOUBT
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
