Close But Not Converted

Outline:

I. THE READINESS WITH WHICH HE RECEIVED THE WORD

A. How Conveniently He Believed

B. How Convincingly He Believed

II. THE REVELATION OF WHY HE RECEIVED THE WORD

A. His Lust for Gain

B. His Lust for Glory

III. THE REFUSAL BY WHICH HE REJECTED THE WORD

A. Peter's Damning Rebuke

B. Simon's Damning Refusal

Introduction

In the mid-20th century, carnivals were prevalent in cities and towns across the United States. In those days, one could go to the carnival and try their luck at one of the many booths by playing a game to win a prize. It wasn’t uncommon to find cigars among the prizes that were awarded. The phrase “close, but no cigar” finds its origins here. When a contestant came close to winning but failed nonetheless, the employee would reply, “You came close, but no cigar.”

When we come to Acts 8:8-24, we find a man in Simon who came very close to real salvation yet fell short of the mark. His false faith serves as a warning to each of us to examine ourselves and see if we are really in the faith or not.

The reality that things are not always as they seem is especially dangerous when it comes to salvation. It is possible for a person to convincingly appear as thought they are truly in the faith when in reality they are far from it.

Let’s consider Dr. Luke’s account of the false conversion of Simon and glean some truths by making three observations from his experience. Notice with me, first of all…

I. THE READINESS WITH WHICH HE RECEIVED THE WORD

When we come to verse 8, we are standing at the close of Philip’s initial evangelistic campaign among the Samaritans. Philip had gone down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. Evidently, they had been receptive to his message of Jesus and were filled with joy. We read in verse 8, “And there was great joy in that city.”

Dr. Luke then begins to zero in on one of the converts from the meeting. He tells us in verses 9-11, “But there was a certain man called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.”

This Simon of Samaria was wicked to the core. He was consumed in the dark arts of magic and sorcery and evidently had gained quite a following in them. He had a strong hold on the hearts and minds of the people by bewitching them with his apparent powers.

However, we read in verse 13 that “Simon himself also believed” the message of Philip. However, the apparent faith of Simon and the faith of his fellow Samaritans were totally different altogether. Let’s consider Simon’s faith or lack thereof. Consider with me, first of all…

A. How Conveniently He Believed

When I was in elementary school, our teachers often warned us of what they called “peer pressure.” The question was often asked, “If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you follow them.” However, the case of Simon reminds us that peer pressure doesn’t always have to be negative, but it can be dangerous.

Again, verses 6-8 tell us of how wonderfully receptive the people of Samaria were to the preaching of Philip. Verse 13 elaborates further by adding “When they (the Samaritans) believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”

This is genuine, city-wide revival. Philip came preaching Christ, and by all accounts the Samaritans had received Jesus as both Lord and Savior. The people of Samaria were filled with joy. No doubt the preaching of Philip and the conversion of the multitudes was the talk of the town.

However, somewhere in the hustle and bustle of it all, Simon had found his way to the altar as well. On the surface he appeared just as genuine as all of the other believers. However, something was lacking in his heart.

The false conversion of Simon reminds us that it is easy to believe when others are believing. When conversion is convenient, false converts like Simon always appear.

I think of something I once heard about a great evangelist of years gone by. I have been told that he was once asked in an interview, “Does everyone who comes forward in your meetings truly get saved?” To which the preacher replied, “No, very few do.”

You see, It is easy to get caught up in the emotion of a meeting like this. You know what this looks like. You are in a revival service, and several of your friends go to the altar to accept Christ, and you, being afraid to be the odd one out, go along with them. Now, I am not knocking moments of mass conversion. In response to Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, 3,000 people were born into the Kingdom. The danger is although, you may seem sincere, you must ask, “Is this the work of God, or am I just going along with the bunch?”

Simon serves as a warning for us to really examine our faith. You see, Simon was following the crowd, but he wasn’t truly trusting Christ. Which leads us to see not only How Conveniently He Believed but also…

B. How Convincingly He Believed

Verse 13 tells us that Simon’s false conversion was truly convincing. We read, “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” By all accounts, Simon did all the right things and said all the right things. He crossed all of his “T”s and dotted all of his “I”s. He checked all the boxes and met all the criteria. In fact, he was so convincing that Philip baptized him! He believed, he was baptized, and by continuing with Philip, he apparently joined the church.

This ought to startle us, for it reveals to us that it is possible for a person to profess saving faith but not possess it in the slightest. When considering how convincing Simon’s profession was, we have to ask ourselves whether or not Simon believed it.

I can just imagine this scene. Philip is there, baptizing the multitudes, and in steps Simon. I can see him as he is raised ought of the water and a number of converts put their arms around him and say, “Welcome to the family, brother Simon.” As a matter of fact, I’m sure they said among themselves, “Isn’t it just great that Simon has believed. I mean considering his record of sorcery and all. Who would have ever thought it? This is just wonderful!” I have to think that somewhere in all of this, Simon actually began to believe his false profession.

There is a danger in our churches today. It is possible for an unconverted sinner to profess Christ so convincingly that they fool others and even themselves. This is why it is so important for us to “make our calling and election sure” and “examine ourselves whether we be in the faith.” We must know that we have truly trusted Jesus as both Lord and Savior of our lives. There cannot be any doubt at all.

We read this account and we notice THE READINESS WITH WHICH HE RECEIVED THE WORD, but notice with me, second of all…

II. THE REVELATION OF WHY HE RECEIVED THE WORD

We don’t have to wait long for the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what was wrong with Simon’s heart. We learn from the passage that all though he went through the motions, he lacked severely in his motives.

Consider with me Simon’s problem. We learn something, first of all, of…

A. His Lust for Gain

Verse 14 tells us, “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and the received the Holy Ghost.”

Understand, this apostolic visit by Peter and John was vital. For one thing, it lent apostolic approval to what God was doing among the Samaritans. As we have learned there was a great divide between them and the Jewish Christians at Jerusalem. By adding their blessing, Peter and John were declaring to the others that God had received the Samaritans and they should too.

Furthermore, this prayer for the Samaritans that they would receive the Holy Spirit merits comment. It is important for us to note once again that this was a transitory time in the program of God. This giving of the Holy Spirit after conversion is not normative for Christians today. According to the Scriptures, we receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of Conversion when He baptizes us into the body of Christ.

Nonetheless, we will move on to consider Simon. We read in verse 18, “And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.” Here is where Simon’s true colors begin to show.

Now we know from verses 9-11 that Simon had a strong hold on the hearts and minds of the people of Samaria. Evidently, when he saw the Holy Spirit poured out through the hands of the apostles, he saw his opportunity for even more of a hold.

The word “bewitched” that is used in verses 9 and 11 is interesting. It comes from a word that means “to be beside oneself.” The sorceries of Simon had amazed and astonished the people, so much so that they were out of their minds crazy about him. Evidently, this led to some provision for him. I can imagine how the people must have given to his so called “ministry.” Surely, as they watched him perform his wicked arts they threw some money in the plate and, by such, contributed to his well-being to say the least.

We come to learn from this passage that Simon was nothing more than a charlatan and a conman. He preyed on the amazement of the people and took advantage of their confusion. I can almost hear him as he thinks to himself, “If I only had that power, think what I could gain and amass!”

Simon’s lust for gain reminds us of the wolves in sheep’s clothing who often desire the things of God for their own personal gain. One doesn’t have to look hard to find conmen and charlatans of the religious sort. All you have to do is turn on your television, and soon you will find a plethora of imposters who will readily sell you a blessing, a healing, or deliverance from debt.

However, this form of treachery can be even more subtle and far more dangerous. If we are not careful, we can choose to follow Jesus because we think that it will benefit us materially. Again, if we are not careful, we can buy into the lie that following Jesus will get you a bigger house, a nicer car, or more money at the end of the month.

Like a carnival man, Simon was willing to invest in a new performing act in order to put more money in his pocket. Brothers and sisters, may it never be said of us that we followed Jesus for what was in it for us. Which leads us to see not only His Lust For Gain but also…

B. His Lust for Glory

Verse 9 tells us that Simon made himself out to be “some great one.” Verse 10 tells us that the people “all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.” I can almost hear Simon as He says, “If they say this about me now, imagine what they will say if I can only have this kind of power.”

Simon was a man hungry for gain and hungry for glory. This was nothing more than a business transaction for him. The more gain the better. The more glory the better.

There is a danger for us to note here as well. There are multitudes in the church who, although they may not be in it for wealth, are certainly in it for worship. Sadly, for many it is the worship of self they desire. Multitudes see the church as a place they can be something great. They play on the kindness and brotherly community in the church, and they strive daily to attain a place of power, authority, and glory.

Simon reminds us that a lust for glory is damnable in the sight of God. There is only room for One to receive glory in the church, for He is the only One worthy of glory in the church. We must pray diligently that our hearts are in the right place in service for Christ. We must be certain that it is His Kingdom that we are building and not our own. It must be His glory, His fame, His advancement that we seek, not our own.

Simon lacked here, and his lack was detrimental. His motives were tainted and so was his soul. Which leads us to see lastly not only THE READINESS WITH WHICH HE RECEIVED THE WORD, and THE REVELATION OF WHY HE RECEIVED THE WORD, but also...

III. THE REFUSAL BY WHICH HE REJECTED THE WORD

Simon convincingly received the Word when it was convenient. However, when it was costly to his pride and arrogance, he fell short. Read the passage with me and consider, first of all…

A. Peter’s Damning Rebuke

Simon’s request merited some scathing words from Peter. We read in verse 20-23, “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou has though that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”

When examining Peter’s response, you will notice that we have here Peter’s judgement of Simon and then Peter’s command to Simon. He begins by saying in essence, “Your money can die with you. You have no part or lot in the things of God because your heart isn’t right in the sight of God. As a matter of fact, I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness and are bound in your sin.” The text is clear, Simon may have fooled the Samaritans, he may have even fooled himself, but he didn’t fool Peter, and he didn’t fool God.

Be sure, God knows the root of the matter. He knows what’s in the heart. We may only see the outside, but God knows what’s on the inside. He knows when we have genuinely trusted in and submitted to Him. On the other hand, He also knows when we are just going on with the crowd. Jesus knows when we serve Him for our own personal gain and glory, and He will have none of it!

Peter says to him, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” In the midst of all this judgement, Peter gives a glimmer of hope. I can almost hear him as he says, “Simon, you are rotten to the core. Repent, and pray if perhaps the thoughts of your heart may be forgiven.”

Simon could have prayed. He could have repented and truly been converted. However, his hard heart wouldn’t allow it. Which leads us to see, not only Peter’s Damning Rebuke but also…

B. Simon’s Damning Refusal

Notice his response. We read in verse 24, “Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.” So much is to be noted here. Notice his lack of submission. Peter tells him to pray, and Simon replies, “You pray for me.” Here is a man who refuses to submit to the Lordship of Jesus. By refusing to pray for forgiveness, Simon is revealing the hardness of his heart. Don’t get him wrong; he wants the benefits of serving Jesus, but he doesn’t want to humble himself at the feet of Jesus.

This leads me to believe that Simon really believed the things the people said about him. He really believed he was “some great one,” even “the great power of God.” He thought too much of himself to bow his knee to Christ and admit his need for Him and His forgiveness. Oh, how detrimental this was, how damning this was!

Simon not only lacked submission, he also lacked contrition. Look at his response. Where is the brokenness over sin? He has just been told that his heart is not right. He had just been told that he has no lot or part in God’s Kingdom. He has just been told that he is in the gall of bitterness and bound in his sin, yet these realities are not enough to break his stubborn will and drive him to his knees.

The only thing on Simon’s mind is the escape of judgment. He says to Peter, “Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.” In other words, I don’t want to change, I only wish to be rescued.

Dear friend, understand, you can not have salvation from sin without submission to Christ. Our Savior is Lord, and he demands that we recognize and submit to His Lordship. A refusal to submit is nothing less than a rejection of salvation. The Gospel is clear, no submission, no salvation.

Conclusion

Simon’s account reveals some serious truths about conversion. He reminds us that someone can come so close to saving faith and never attain it. We see in Simon how readily and yet wrongly one can receive the Word. He reminds us that we can fool multitudes, but we can never fool God. Dr. Luke’s brief account of Simon’s false profession ought to drive us to self-examination and prayer.

What about you, dear friend. I wonder, are you truly in the faith. Are you only trusting Christ because it is convenient? Are you in it for the gain and the glory? Are you refusing to bow your knee to the Lordship of Christ? I think it would serve us well to pray with the hymn writer and the Psalmist,

Search me, Oh God

And know my heart today

Try me, Oh, Savior

Know my thoughts, I pray

See if there be

Some wicked way in me

Cleanse me from every sin

And set me free!

Let’s stand to our feet, please.