Acts 8:9-25

Acts 8:9–25 ESV

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. 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.

Context

Persecution has hit Jerusalem, which scattered many Christians outward as we learned last week. Phillip was one of them and he went to Samaria, preaching and performing miracles. The people of Samaria were really paying attention! People were being healed and everyone was rejoicing! This is where we will pick up tonight.

Introduction

Have you ever known someone who was really really talented at something? Like in a way that they knew they were really talented and everyone around them just wanted to be like them or learn from them or just be really good friends with them? Who knows.. maybe you are that person! Well, our scripture tonight tells a character arc of a somewhat similar type of person. We’ll see how his fame affects him, and how his heart affects the church as it’s spreading into unreached people groups.

VV. 9-11

Acts 8:9–11 ESV

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.

So here’s our introduction to a main character of Samaria- Simon the Magician, or, Simon the Great One, or Simon Magus as he’s known through church history. It’s pretty clear from these verses that he is seemingly very talented and people think he’s pretty great. The way they refer to him as “the power of God” makes it pretty clears that Samaria put him on a pedestal to the same level as God himself. Not only did he receive this kind of fame from the people, but he was pretty proud of it. He says that he self proclaimed to be somebody great. So, a double threat in a way, someone who sought a lot of attention, but also got it.

Now, Simon was not just a homeless street magician, he was likely a divination by trade meaning he earned a living doing this. And these weren’t harmless card tricks or a quarter behind your ear type of trick. Magic in that day was serious witchcraft that God commanded against. It was more like going to see a psychic or someone practicing voodoo. Often they were in cahoots with demons. So no wonder people were amazed by him. Crazy stuff probably WAS happening by the hand of satan and his fallen army. Now Samaritans in case you don’t know were ethnically half Jewish and half gentile, but accepted by neither group. They believed in Israel’s God, but definitely had some things twisted in there, as was the case with many Jews in Jesus’ time. So, they thought very highly of Simon, because outwardly, he was doing a lot of powerful things.

VV. 12-13

Acts 8:12–13 ESV

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.

So now this guy Phillip has swooped in and threatened Simon’s fame. God sent Phillip to Samaria and used Him to bring Gentiles into the Kingdom! They were repenting and believing the good news that Jesus is the Messiah, sent of God to save us from our sin and give us peace with God. To only help build his message, God worked miracles through him in the lives of the Samaritan people, and they were buying in- believing! Let’s note how crazy this is. This is the first time gentiles are hearing and believing the Gospel. And not just any gentiles, but Samaritans- the people that the Jews avoided at all costs! Remember the woman at the well story from Jesus’ ministry? These are those people!! They all were baptized, including Simon who seemingly also believed this message! So Simon continues following Phillip, why you ask? The text says because he was amazed by the signs and miracles. 

VV. 14-17

Acts 8:14–17 ESV

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.

So for a shift in focus.. Why did Peter and John have to come and why hadn’t the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit yet? I mean, weren’t they already saved and baptized? I’ll try to clear some things up. Was Phillip an Apostle? God had given the Apostle’s a special authority in that day to establish the Church. Let’s remember Acts 1:8 when Jesus was speaking to the Apostles (read text). This was the whole task. God was bringing 1. His word into fulfillment and 2. He was validifying the Samaritan’s salvation by bringing the Apostles to witness its manifestations. Does this mean that all Christians only receive the Spirit by laying on of hands after salvation and baptism? No. This passage isn’t prescriptive- meaning it’s not meant to be instructions, but it’s descriptive- just stating the facts of what happened. God chose to work in this way in this scenario, but this was not the norm. Although as we will learn in the future, it was very important for Peter to be a witness of gentiles receiving the Spirit in order to validate their standing in the Church at the Jerusalem Council in chapter 15. More on that another day.

VV. 18-19

Acts 8:18–19 ESV

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.”

Big red flag for Simon. The fact that Simon is asking to pay money in exchange for the power of laying hands and people receiving the spirit shows us that He’s in it for power. For glory of self. To win back favor with the Samaritans. This also shows us that there was some physical manifestation of people receiving the Spirit because that’s how Simon noticed. So in the midst of Simon having the audacity to ask to pay for this power, God is still working! Samaritans are receiving the promised Spirit!!

VV. 20-24

Acts 8:20–24 ESV

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.”

Peter rebukes Simon! Though it seems quite harsh, Peter calling out Simon’s heart in this is the kindest thing he could have done for him. He says Simon has no ‘part or lot’ in this matter, meaning inheritance, meaning Peter is calling out that Simon has not truly repented. He offers Simon an opportunity of prayer for the LORD to change the motives of his heart so he may truly repent and be in right standing with God, to which Simon doesn’t give the answer Peter is hoping for. He asks Peter to pray for God to withhold any punishment towards him instead of seeking forgiveness for his hearts motives. Simon’s response to Peter’s rebuke suggests that Simon wasn’t genuine in the faith. We don’t know for certain anyone’s heart motives, but we go off of God’s wisdom and navigate with love. Sometimes, we need to hear and receive rebukes from God and other believers. Sometimes out of love for someone, we need to call out their sin and give them an opportunity to repent. God wants us to live humbly and broken before Him. Having nothing to offer but our hearts in hopes to be made new for Him.

V. 25

Acts 8:25 ESV

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.

This one bad egg didn’t spoil the carton! The Apostles continue to share the Gospel with more Samaritan villages as they head back home. What we mean for evil, God uses for good, and no sore thumb can thwart God’s purposes for His bride, His church.

Conclusion and Application

Maybe you’ve identified yourself or even someone you know with some of the people in this text. There are a few big takeaways I’d like to leave you with..

Conclusion & Applications

Pride will always harden your heart to God. All worldly power will end and the glory we seek for ourselves will come to ruin next to the glory God has prepared for Himself for eternity.

Even in the midst of Satan’s schemes, God is still furthering His kingdom. Evil doesn’t trump the LORD.

God wants us to be broken before Him. Knowing that we have absolutely nothing to offer allows us to humbly receive correction.

Be bold to share the gospel, even when you face rejection.

Maybe you are like Simon, content and satisfied with the glory you get for something. Or maybe you’re chasing godliness in hopes that you will reap some sort of status here on earth. I pray that you don’t get the status, that would be what the enemy wants. I pray God would shed the scales from your eyes to reveal that He is the only true God. Not ourselves, or anything we place our hope and trust in. He alone is worthy to be worshiped and he alone is worthy of our whole hearts. I pray whether you’re on this or that side of the fence of knowing God or not knowing God, that His spirit would fall on you, prepare your heart to receive, and convict you of your fallen nature to point you to the One that loves you enough to sacrifice Himself to offer abundant life and forgiveness for an eternity of being with Him.